Review of Subsector Sourcebook 3: Hub

Once again, another portion of Hub Federation milieu is unveiled by Gypsy Knight Games and it looks like that this subsector sourcebook is certainly one of the best offerings to date. For what the avid reader is beginning to see the contours of the actual tapestry of this Alternative Traveller Universe take shape. That is not to say that this supplement cannot be played somewhere in the OTU or 2300AD universe with some modifications (or for that matter game system). For no other Traveller Universe currently on the market is matching the level of detail offered by Gypsy Knight Games. In previous offerings, we were not treated to cookie cutter worlds, but richly detailed worlds, which ranged from pastiches to parodies. Now, as we move toward the core worlds, what one sees is a detailed and intricate campaign setting with highly realistic worlds. For if there is one criticism common to most Science Fiction Role Playing Games (SFRPGs) is that they take the Star Trek approach in which everywhere looks just like Southern California or at least, California. And, not even on planet Earth does everywhere look the same whether you travel amidst the lovely Pampas of Argentina or the icy baroque splendor of St. Petersburg or diving among the corals of the Great Barrier Reef – no two points are the same. Each every and one locale unique and beautiful in own special way. That is when you travel, and, not merely be a tourist staying in hotels on the tab of some wealthy patron. And, Traveller is about the latter not the former – a point that many forget, as they play some sort of Space Opera.

This subsector begins to introduce some real alien and different worlds for our consumption – that is not to say there are not some things that are homages to different Science Fiction properties but they are not clones of those worlds either. What’s more the environments are becoming more hostile and more realistic. I still think more work has to be done…but make no mistake; these environments are not Southern California. Then comes the area, in which, Gypsy Knight Games has mastered in creating viable interconnected social systems – not just mere gloss, as it is in the OTU but real relationships between worlds. Thus, one can detect the seeds of many an adventure brewing by just reading the description of the world. For Traveller is not only about the physical details of the worlds that players will encounter but about the cultures and the expansion of human beings to create entirely new worlds from challenging and difficult environments. Sure, there exists a question of the time horizon, whether fully formed cultures can be formed so quickly but one only needs to look at our own planet, in the 100 years of the Twentieth century, how many identities and cultures were broken apart, reformed, and only to be split again. Endless amounts creative destruction akin to fission and why would we not believe that in the future with an entire Solar System of resources to exploit will humanity be any different. For change is the essential narrative of the human condition and nowhere can that be more fully realized than in Traveller which allows the players and referee to create a vast canvas of any Science Fiction milieu and Gypsy Knight Games more than adequately shows the amateur and seasoned referee how it can be done in this supplement.

If there is said to be a drawback in this particular volume is that is necessary to purchase the other accompanying subsector and system book (Hub Federation) to fully realize the full potential of this book. But, I do not consider that a drawback, for Gypsy Knight Games has done superb job at creating other products that one cannot help wanting more. So, I applaud the choice of not including repetitive information from previous offerings but at the same time the heart of the subsector lies in another product – I cannot help but feel sorry for someone who purchases this volume alone – so maybe the solution can exist in bundling them.

The art takes up a major portion of the book both in terms of beautifully rendered world maps and also star system maps in full colour along with mood pieces. These are computer generated images but tasteful done and carefully filtered so that no two systems look alike. My only beef with the art was when it shows blank areas of space, it is rendered as a black strip, not sure how this can be corrected so long as systems are portrayed in distance range bands, it would require a massive rethought of how to portray a system – maybe a 3D representational model replete with orbital paths but unfortunately one would lose a level of detail there.

This is an exciting and dynamic universe, one that is supported by an ever growing line of supplements and campaign narrative. It is wholeheartedly one of the better realized Traveller universes out there and shows the way for the OTU to move forward which is ironic as the Imperium was birthed in a diverse universe but increasingly the sense of wonder has disappeared from the main Traveller universe leaving it to the Referee to create that in Grand Explorations outside Chartered Space. Thus, this supplement can have many uses in any Traveller universe. I wholehearted recommend this supplement and hope that future adventures will build upon these worlds by exploring some of the more remote worlds of any given star system – for that is a great area in which build a campaign – the relationship between the Main World and its own Solar System and an area that Traveller has yet to explore thanks to the ubiquity of Jump Drive able to whisk players system to system with no more effort than merging after refueling. For in this area, one can (re)create truly alien and wonder-filled environments, as our own Solar System amply shows. Another area that is underdeveloped in this supplement and Traveller as a whole is the area of interstellar anomalies whether of the “natural” Black Holes, Novae, Flare Stars, etc. or the fantastical – wormholes, gateways, precursor artifacts, etc. Here’s hoping the next subsector guide will begin to address some of those gaps in Standard Traveller. And, what Gypsy Knight Games amply proves is that you do not need more than a subsector for fun and indeed in a universe where travel is slowed there is literally a planet full of adventure at every Port of Call. However, what amazes more is how Gypsy Knight Games keeps innovating and creating a better and better product in a relatively short period of time. Keep up the excellent work.

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