The 'Maker' Systems

[Baltech Budapest]

Having only read about the various 'Maker' systems in T5, and not having actually seen the book yet, I'm guessing that we, as players and refs can, in theory, create our own Central Supply Catalogue.

I know it would take a long time to actually sit down and recreate a T5 version of the MgT Central Supply Catalogue or T4's Central Supply Catalog for personal use but does anyone intend actually to do this? Or would anyone be excited about the prospect of an official T5 version being published? And finally, does anyone think that an 'official' Catalogue for T5 would defeat the purpose of having the 'Maker' systems in the first place?

 

[Licheking]

I have already created dozens of weapons, armour, vehicles, smallcraft and spacecraft with the Maker systems but i have used artwork from all over the net to illustrate them and so is for my personal use only. I have used a lot of official Traveller artwork as well, since i own the Traveller Canon CD-ROM, the Megatraveller CD-ROM and obviously the T5 CD-ROM.

I'm not sure if people want these stats and they are only my interpretation of the Maker system rules so may not gel with what others have done or are doing. Thats one of the issues with the rules at the moment since several people can read them and come up with several different designs.

 

[Baltech Budapest]

Thats one of the issues with the rules at the moment since several people can read them and come up with several different designs.

That's what I guessed, that everyone would be coming up with their own personal designs, which I'm sure was Marc's intention when he designed the Maker systems.

My own feeling is that, because of these 'tools' we won't see an equipment book such as the Central Supply Catalog(ue).

Im just curious about other people's thoughts on it. I would be perfectly happy to sit down, as you have done, and create my own list. That sounds like it's part of the fun (for me anyway).

 

[captainjack]

Indeed !

I've been tinkering away at developing a bunch of Tech 5/6 equiptment for my orbital cold war campaign. Great fun, and I really doubt that any equiptment splat book would cover this stuff in detail.

 

[pendragonman]

That's what I guessed, that everyone would be coming up with their own personal designs, which I'm sure was Marc's intention when he designed the Maker systems.

My own feeling is that, because of these 'tools' we won't see an equipment book such as the Central Supply Catalog(ue).

Im just curious about other people's thoughts on it. I would be perfectly happy to sit down, as you have done, and create my own list. That sounds like it's part of the fun (for me anyway).

Actually, some (like Rob) have already begun porting over favorites from CT...and posting pdfs of them.

 

[Baltech Budapest]

Thanks Pendragonman, I didn't know that. I have stayed away from those threads until I get reading the book.

 

[twb3]

Maker Systems

I was not in on the Kickstarter, but saw the Traveller 5 book at a dealer at a gaming con.

For me, it is the "Maker" systems that sold the book. It is impossible to have enough equipment books to describe every possible piece of gear in a complex universe. Previously, I would have to gin up such gear using what design rules existed or extrapolate from existing gear.

While the "Maker" systems are not perfect, they provide a consistent basis from which to generate gear of all sorts. I'm also planning on using them to reduce referee workload - rather than the player asking in vague terms for some sort of device, I can have them use GunMaker or ArmorMaker or ThingMaker to tell me just what their character is looking for.

The improved task resolution system was a big point too. I'm looking forward to finishing a detailed read of the book, and even more to playing T5.

 

[Baltech Budapest]

I was not in on the Kickstarter, but saw the Traveller 5 book at a dealer at a gaming con.

For me, it is the "Maker" systems that sold the book. It is impossible to have enough equipment books to describe every possible piece of gear in a complex universe. Previously, I would have to gin up such gear using what design rules existed or extrapolate from existing gear.

While the "Maker" systems are not perfect, they provide a consistent basis from which to generate gear of all sorts. I'm also planning on using them to reduce referee workload - rather than the player asking in vague terms for some sort of device, I can have them use GunMaker or ArmorMaker or ThingMaker to tell me just what their character is looking for.

The improved task resolution system was a big point too. I'm looking forward to finishing a detailed read of the book, and even more to playing T5.

I think your post answers my question and is what was going through my own mind before even glancing at the book.
Well the book I had ordered from NKG arrived today so I intend to get really stuck in to it.
It could be some time before I even attempt the Maker sections as I want to get the basics up and running first.

 

[Major B]

It is impossible to have enough equipment books to describe every possible piece of gear in a complex universe. Previously, I would have to gin up such gear using what design rules existed or extrapolate from existing gear.

While the "Maker" systems are not perfect, they provide a consistent basis from which to generate gear of all sorts. I'm also planning on using them to reduce referee workload - rather than the player asking in vague terms for some sort of device, I can have them use GunMaker or ArmorMaker or ThingMaker to tell me just what their character is looking for.

I agree with TWB and his post gave me an idea that I'd like to propose. Given that no one book or any number of books will satisfy and given that T5 has provided a "consistent basis from which to generate gear" - could one of the admins create sticky threads to post the things we make so all can have the benefit of anyone's work?

Ideally, separate threads for weapons, vehicles, etc. would be ideal. The best use of the thread would be to post final products or links to final products that are in the image gallery or file library. Development, discussion, and general picking of nits should be kept in regualr threads established by the "thing" designer.

These threads would be a resource that every ref could constantly mine for new additions to his or her personal catalog of stuff.

Anyone agree or disagree or have better ideas for sharing?

Well, I do have a even better idea but there are some difficulties in making it work. It would involve a sticky thread or threads to post suggestions and a moderator/stuckee to do some quality control and analysis then incorporate the suggested item into a routinely updated .pdf document. In essence, I'm suggesting something like what Don already does for errata of the various versions of Traveller. The only problem with this suggestion is that I don't know of anyone who might be available and/or willing to take that task on. I sure can't but I would love to make use of the product.

 

[Licheking]

I would be happy to post my personal catalogs of stuff to a thread, i currently have vehicles, armour, spacecraft and starships, working on weapons, and may have to do starships again, now that i have looked through the errata doc.

 

[robject]

While the "Maker" systems are not perfect, they provide a consistent basis from which to generate gear of all sorts.

This is one of the big wins for me for Traveller5 all around -- the toolsets build a consistent universe. Another part of that "big win" for me is also that the process is faster than Fire, Fusion, and Steel, which I can appreciate for its realism, but lack the patience to use.

 

[Licheking]

well said, it is consistent and easy to use, but provides a great deal of diversity within the rules.