The Traveller RPG has long had a history of small endeavours creating vast empires, even the founding company prided itself on calling itself a workshop rather than corporation. Or the Keith brothers who single-handedly transformed FASA and Gamelords into a mighty vision or Digest Group Publication started by two friends. So it is always interesting to follow what is happening at the margins of this great game – for often this is where innovation and creativity has flourished. True, there have been disappointments and major disappointments that even bore the famous Traveller licence, “Approved Use for Traveller” or in its more recent incarnation, the OGL. Fortunately, Mongoose Publishing has produced a wealth of Traveller material that is dynamic and innovative (even as the grognards grumble, as grognards tend to do)…Mongoose has brought new audiences to Traveller and in some cases brought them back. So, if are interested in Traveller – check out the Mongoose rules.
Notwithstanding, this is a review only marginally about Mongoose Traveller, it is rather about a company at the margins that is making an impact on how we view the Grand Old Game of Traveller. It is a very much in the margins because it is not part of what is called the Original/Official Traveller Universe (OTU) but rather an Alternate Traveller Universe (ATU) but this in no way means, as I have suggested could not be reconnected back to the OTU in the ways that I have modestly suggested in another review.
And, one of the principal ways that could be done is through Starfarer’s Gazette which is a commercial fanzine that can readily be obtained through Drivethroughrpg or hopefully, as I lucked out, a small batch through Terra Sol Games LLC. It is not my intention to discuss each of the articles merits – for I always find in reviewing magazines – it is matter of individual preference, and more importantly, if some of my players happen to read this review…they do not learn the secrets of my inspiration. But, as it should be evident, I found Style & Substance in the 3 or 4 ranges, and some of the pieces climbing up to 5.
What makes Starfarer’s Gazette interesting that is largely the work of one Traveller writer – Martin J. Dougherty who has produced a great deal of interesting things for the OTU has now tried his hand at this ATU. It retains all the trademark style of a Martin J. Dougherty product – dry sense of humour, ironic and emphasis upon lively adventure (which does involving some rolling of dice & blowing stuff up or occasionally lots of guns). Each article is carefully crafted to maximize mood rather than producing more Tables & Charts (T&C) with the emphasis upon encountering something new – as one would expect from a game called Traveller. For this reason, Martin J. Dougherty’s writing is some of the best Traveller stuff currently out there. The man has some faults, including, grave ones but at least he does have a style that emphasizes fun that is not to say that there are no Tables & Charts but the emphasis is certainly more upon narrative and atmosphere. So for this reason, this pairing of MJD and Starfarer’s Gazette does make a perfect fit for Terra Sol Games – Twilight Sector where an entire new ATU is waiting to be explored. Similarly, for the prime authors of the Twilight Sector, they have peeled away another layer of the proverbial onion and shown their ATU is greater detail and colour than what has previously been on offer. And, whilst this ATU, does have quite a few faults/quirks, they are really no more or less than what the OTU has or has had had in its long canon.
Does this product have drawbacks? For the price, very few. But, it does require that one purchase the main campaign setting sourcebook. Otherwise, you are only getting half the picture. It can standalone but will require some serious thought. It very much is a workshop where ideas of this interesting ATU are being flushed out. So, if you don’t want to work and/or invest in the sourcebook – then don’t buy this book – it might give you ideas for your Mongoose Traveller game, it might not. Also, the art is not terribly good. Why am I whining about art again? Well, mainly because of the high standards set by the previous Twilight Sector offerings. So, there are good pieces in there but a lot equally that has been recycled or just simply bad. And, if your fanzine does not showcase the best – then one might have a harder time selling the primary product. Also, I know, that fanzines appear and disappear like mushrooms on a hot summer’s day – but there is no subscription or information when we might see Starfarer’s Gazette #2 (something that I am really looking forward to). So, if this was a one-shot, they certainly hit the target but the other ship is still sailing even if it is listing. It is a great effort from a small company and want more. And, lastly comes the most obvious drawback, it still remains largely PDF, maybe I am just being an old grognard, but when it comes to gaming magazines in particular, I like deadtree.
In conclusion, this is a great product when combined with the other excellent offerings of Terra Sol Games LLC. I think this a company worth watching, if you play Traveller RPG or any other generic SFRPG. I would place the caveat that it is necessary to remind oneself that this is a workshop product not a final mass produced – so it is naturally rough around the edges. But, it is well beyond a labour of love or an angry testament, it enhances the Traveller Universe and future Starfarer’s Gazettes will determine – the different directions that the Grand Old Game can take. Overall, this product does truly deserve its 4 out of 5 for substance…I know, you are wondering why not 5 out of 5, simply because it does still require work – even simple things such as the PDF version was missing a cover, small things like this annoy me – rightly or wrongly. Or as I said when the art does meet the expectations already created by other great products… Or that, this product it still largely the voice of one person (rather unfair, as that is what all start-ups are) but the voice is rather preachy and haughty – and this might turn away first-time buyer. This will hopefully be remedied as more people take not of the Grand Old Game. The product will continue to map out this ATU and continue to inspire my game set in the OTU.
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