Quote:
Originally Posted by thrash
On the communication front, if interstellar messages are more like videograms than telegrams, it becomes much less plausible to rely on random strangers who happen to be available (i.e., player-characters) rather than recruit appropriate experts from surrounding systems. Most of the random patron encounters then go out the window.
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I don't see how that will be. The videogram and the telegram both have the same disadvantage-that they are always at least a week late. In the meantime you get as much necessary information without as with the video mode. It is the ability to write a full message as opposed to the cumbersome This Is My Message Stop It's Really My Message thing that is convenient. Correspondence is still limited. Necessary information, that is information relevant to a PCs decision will not be increased by a PCs ability to see a videogram. The details of the contract to carry Acme Widgets for instance will not change one wit. And a videogram is not helpful in that regard; many will still want to see it in solid space. Indeed for some commodities(transporting a prize racing animal, for instance) that will be an important part of the deal.
Some things can be carried more conveniently. Correspondence games are more feasible. There is no need for notation any more.
As far as the things the PC is interested in, one of his problems will be information flooding. In the game ap Star Trader by comparison intelligence is the most precious commodity-one should never neglect a chance to pick it up. But it comes in manageable chunks and it is usually fairly easy to separate the useful from the indifferent. In Traveller there is plenty of information to be had but no way to separate it. Much like the twenty-first century in fact except much of the information is old. Intelligence Analysis skill will be at a premium.
It will affect the style somewhat. The Traveller equiv of Internet Cafes will be all over the place and there will presumably be several arranged to cater to different markets. These will specialize in providing a pleasant venue from which to sit down and surf. One can have a, "You all met at an inn" experience there. Indeed the solid space meeting with a patron will not be replaced, it will just be adjusted. But "Inns you all meet at" won't be eliminated, because many people have reasons of their own to be their even when they could be surfing from their stateroom. Easy access to food and drink, company of strangers, annonymity(the two are actually reinforcing; it can be quite pleasant to spend time among people you never met who won't ask anything more of you then to be orderly). Of course these can be had online, even the condiments can be had takeout. But many will prefer a central location.
Other possibilities include the chance of being recruited by a patron one hasn't met. This would work for an espionage themed game.
Random encounters are not expended. They are simply tweaked.