A Journey

[Gene]

Hello My Friends,

I’m penning this open letter as a heartfelt response to several inquiries that have surfaced over recent months within our tight-knit Signal sci-fi group. More pointedly, I wish to address a particular observation voiced a few weeks back by a single individual.

My erstwhile adversary — let’s affectionately refer to him as Jack (his genuine moniker) — has jestingly criticized, on more than one occasion, that classic Traveller is the preserve of the 'old guard.' While I acknowledge my vintage years and a pronounced predilection for classic Traveller over its contemporary successors, it’s clear that a sizable contingent among us, affectionately dubbed “old fogeys,” cherishes the game's original incarnation for its elegance and simplicity.

My acquaintance with the game doesn’t extend beyond Mega Traveller, which, to my tastes, didn’t quite resonate. Furthermore, the prospect of delving into and financially committing to a more elaborate game systems holds little appeal for me.

Allow me to take you back to the genesis of my Traveller saga. Picture the summer of 1977: the distinctive book-style packaging of Traveller, encased within its box, perched intriguingly on a hobby store shelf, initially capturing my gaze with its novelty. On several visits I became more and more enamored of this new and unknown game rules of science fiction. Until that point, I'd never heard of, much less played a RPG. On a whim, I acquired the Traveller rule set, unknowingly embarking on what would become a profound and enduring journey.

My enthusiasm saw me gathering numerous Traveller aids and supplements from esteemed publishers like FASA, Judges Guild, and Steve Jackson Games, among others. Also, I found myself in frequent correspondence with Marc Miller and John Harshman of GDW, fervently discussing various facets of Traveller — I can only imagine their patience with my incessant inquiries. I also bugged other writers of Traveller material, most prominent of them being William Barton.

Anyway, among my newly formed group of Traveller enthusiasts our gatherings were robust, often boasting upwards of a dozen participants for our Friday or Saturday night sessions. Although we interspersed these with other RPG systems, Traveller nights were frequent enough to maintain a constant allure. As the proverbial ‘host with the most’ (Traveller paraphernalia, that is), I was the nucleus around which our group convened.

However, in 1990, life took a dramatic turn as my unit was activated, and thus, my Traveller adventures were abruptly curtailed. In the first 13 years of its release, I had invested considerable time and resources into Traveller (among other games), then upon my return from military service I shifted my focus towards work and life’s broader spectrum for the following 28 years.

Now, as I embrace retirement and the luxury of time, I find myself gravitating back towards the gaming table. While I’m open to exploring new rule sets that are approachable and not overly demanding, my allegiance to Traveller remains unwavering. Given the extensive corpus of material developed over decades to enrich the classic game, I find solace and familiarity in its pages.

It is my sincere hope that this letter sheds light on the depth of my commitment to Traveller and addresses, particularly, Jack’s non-gentle probes into my affinity for the game’s classic iteration. So, here’s to you, Jack — your oft times complaining has elicited not just a retort, but a narrative brimming with nostalgia and renewed vigor for the game.

In essence, when you ‘poke the bear,’ you invite not just a response, but a voyage into the heart of a Traveller’s enduring love for a universe that, though fictional, remains as boundless and captivating as ever.

Until our next interstellar journey together, may your dice roll ever in your favor, Jack.

Gene

This letter has been posted to other social media and is in homage to Jack, who passed away unexpectedly. He was my detractor, my opponent, and my friend.