GURPS Hivers

[Shonner]

Is the GURPS Traveller: Alien Races 3 book considered canon?

 

[Whipsnade]

Shonner,

Is there anything in particular regarding that book you've a question about?

After all, we've the very poor CT Alien Module version, the TNE/Nilsen version that pointed out how bad the CT version was and had people gnashing their teeth, and now the GT version.


Regards,
Bill

 

[mike wightman]

I'd consider it canon for the 'golden age' of the CT OTU and for the GATU of course.

 

[DonM]

If it's a Traveller book produced by a current licensee, it's canon.

There are some caveats to that, but it's a general, albeit generic, rule.

 

[Vargas]

Just curious Don, what happens when/if SJG's license lapses?

 

[Shonner]

Ok. My only contact with the Hivers was with JTAS #13 which I thought was amazing when it was published. When I had MegaTraveller, I read about them again in that incarnation. But I have not read the later publications that came out since on the matter. So I didn't know if Hivers were treated the same or are way different now from The New Era on up.

Are there even Hivers in The New Era? Because of their gadets they used just to communicate with other races, wouldn't Virus knock that stuff out?

 

[Vargas]

Hivers actually play a big role in TNE.

I liked the CT version of them as well.

 

[Shonner]

I used to own all the TNE games and books. Never opened or read any of them. The problem was that I had become a collector. I later had to get rid of boxes full of games when I ran out of room and real life took all my time to appreciate what I collected.

 

[DonM]

Just curious Don, what happens when/if SJG's license lapses?

Hmm... interesting question. Since Marc's been sending out my answer for "What is canon?" to people (much to my surprise), I'll repost it...

I'm not speaking for Marc here; I'm drawing from personal experience and observation to infer basic facts to assist. If I do speak for Marc online, I'll preface the post with "Marc is asking..." or "Marc wants...", or something similar. Rob Eaglestone also does this.

That doesn't mean Rob or I have any special status. If I was writing material for the Spinward Marches, I'd probably have two or three CotI members (they know who they are) review it before giving it to Marc for review, because I trust their knowledge of things I've forgotten.

So, bearing all of that in mind, here's some simple facts about canon:
1. It is, at any given moment, what Marc decides.
2. Marc reserves the right to change his mind.
3. The GURPS Traveller universe (GTU?) and the Official Traveller Universe overlap; exactly where they overlap is questionable, depending on who's asking the questions.
4. The precedent of "mostly recently published source" applies, unless that newer source is wrong about something; it happens.
5. Never, ever assume that current licensees are not canon; rather, current licensees are always canon, unless they print something wrong.
6. Marc decides who is wrong.
7. There's no order to the six rules above.

That's pretty much it. On an average day of research for Marc, I'll start with MGT (if possible), then GT (including IW), then TNE (because I have to, not because I want to), then MT, then CT materials. Within those materials, the primary publisher is the first source, but any licensee could be a secondary source. There are probably *golden* sources, but nothing is perfect.

Oh, and yes, 1248 goes in there somewhere. I wouldn't consider it a primary source, but definitely a secondary source.

Heck, there's even a couple of Judges Guild items Marc mentions from time to time. Admittedly, I haven't dug much out of the JG and Paranoia Press materials for Marc, but I've got them to refer to.

Even HIWG docs and fanzines COULD be a source if it's an idea that Marc likes. For example, I pay very close attention to HIWG docs written by Clay Bush on subjects. And I've got the TML and Xboat archives setup as searchable because they have clues to things I don't remember.

I cannot think of a single source that would be outright rejected with no consideration at all. My own timeline isn't a source; it's a list of sources.

So, the moral is, don't throw rocks at other Traveller settings. We're all in the same tent, even if we imagine we're not.

Some things Marc has repeatedly said are NOT canon:
1. Anything under 100 tons jumping. 101-ton jump torpedoes might work, but 99-ton jump torpedoes simply don't.
2. DGP's Aslan art has the hands/paws wrong. I've repeatedly had this explained to me, but I still don't picture it properly.

Hope that helps... My off the cuff answer is "nothing, unless Marc says it does".

 

[Vargas]

Yes that does help, thanks.

 

[Shonner]

Hope that helps... My off the cuff answer is "nothing, unless Marc says it does".

Thanks for posting that. I read those rules once before but forgot them.

 

[Blue Ghost]

Shonner,

Is there anything in particular regarding that book you've a question about?

After all, we've the very poor CT Alien Module version, the TNE/Nilsen version that pointed out how bad the CT version was and had people gnashing their teeth, and now the GT version.


Regards,
Bill

What was wrong with the CT module? You've got my curiosity up now, as I never read CT Hivers.

 

[Murph]

Does anyone have a good handle on what/who the Hivers REALLY are? The great cosmic manipulators of the CT Aliens book, or something else?

 

[Gallowglacht]

Does anyone have a good handle on what/who the Hivers REALLY are? The great cosmic manipulators of the CT Aliens book, or something else?

Do you mean in canon, or just how people play them?