02-20-2018, 04:57 PM | #1 |
President and EIC
Join Date: Jul 2004
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Metric? Keep or change?
The original TFT releases used metric measurements because, in the late 1970s, we were being told that really, no kidding, the country was going metric.
Didn't happen. The metric measurements feel vaguely dated to me now (I realize my European readers will be going "huh?" at this). I am inclined to change meters to yards, and so on. Actually, meters may be the only metric quantity in the set. I notice that I already describe the naughty minnow as "inch-long." Comments? |
02-20-2018, 05:03 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Jun 2012
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Re: Metric? Keep or change?
How many distances are given in yards/meters as opposed to hexes and megahexes?
If most measurements are given in hexes then I think the question of English or Metric is largely moot. Otherwise I am used to seeing sci-fi games in metric and fantasy games in English. So I guess I would vote for yards. But it's not a strong vote. |
02-20-2018, 05:07 PM | #3 |
Aluminated
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: East of the moon, west of the stars, close to buses and shopping
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Re: Metric? Keep or change?
On one hand, our long-suffering scientifically inclined or European friends have put up with decades of American measurements in GURPS and deserve metric.
On the other, in fantasy games, metric units take me right out of it. If TFT were a generic fighin' game for modern troops and space warriors as well as people in low-tech drag, I'd say stick with meters. But if everybody in the game uses Renaissance-and-earlier technology, using a modern measurement feels anachronistic. (And, yes, that means I'd be perfectly happy with measurements in cubits as well.)
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02-20-2018, 05:21 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Berkeley, CA
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Re: Metric? Keep or change?
It's a hex. The difference between meter and yard is a rounding error (you get larger errors measuring distance just from hex alignment).
Last edited by Anthony; 02-20-2018 at 05:41 PM. |
02-20-2018, 06:29 PM | #5 |
Join Date: Jan 2018
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Re: Metric? Keep or change?
I believe that most (if not all the best) RPG use the metric system, and kilos ... and liters...
plus it is a "change" in the very nature of the old TFT and this is clearly against the philosophy of the project "improve and preserve": it does not improve the game, it does not preserve the old Melee/TFT tradition of the metric system adopted for about 40 years |
02-20-2018, 06:45 PM | #6 |
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alsea, OR
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Re: Metric? Keep or change?
I'd rather see metric for all.
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02-20-2018, 06:54 PM | #7 |
Join Date: Nov 2011
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Re: Metric? Keep or change?
As frustrating as it is for GURPS to use yards, it would be considerably more frustrating for a system that was already using meters to switch to yards for no particularly compelling reason. People are totally fine using abstract units like squares and encumbrance units. An actual system that everyone in the US learns in school anyway is not a major stumbling block.
Especially since its use of meters is tied to an interesting bit of historical context. |
02-20-2018, 07:46 PM | #8 |
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alsea, OR
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Re: Metric? Keep or change?
Everyone is supposed to learn it, but not everyone does. It's not a major item on the standards.
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02-20-2018, 09:11 PM | #9 |
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: New England
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Re: Metric? Keep or change?
It really doesn't matter to me. Just include a reference chart for converting English to metric--it will be helpful for players needing to go either way.
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02-20-2018, 10:17 PM | #10 |
Join Date: Dec 2017
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Re: Metric? Keep or change?
Do we need to have this discussion in 2018?
Metric! |
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