The Low Tech You want

[kdomke]

Originally Posted by b-dog

Low-Tech is almost as bad a name as GURPS. Maybe Historical Tech or something like it.

But it fits into the row: Ultra, High, Low, I think, I would like it als Low Tech

[whswhs]

Originally Posted by b-dog

Low-Tech is almost as bad a name as GURPS. Maybe Historical Tech or something like it.

Low-Tech fits logically into the same series as High-Tech, and it's established by precedent. So likely you're stuck with it. "Historical Tech" would be a really bad name; after all, the Napoleonic era and World War II and even the fall of the Soviet Union are now history, so "Historical Tech" would include everything up to early TL8.

If I were titling the books, I might take inspiration from the title "Ultra-Tech" and call the book we're talking about "Infra-Tech" (and "Visible Tech" for the era in between). But I have an arcane sense of humor.

Bill Stoddard

[b-dog]

Originally Posted by whswhs

Low-Tech fits logically into the same series as High-Tech, and it's established by precedent. So likely you're stuck with it. "Historical Tech" would be a really bad name; after all, the Napoleonic era and World War II and even the fall of the Soviet Union are now history, so "Historical Tech" would include everything up to early TL8.

If I were titling the books, I might take inspiration from the title "Ultra-Tech" and call the book we're talking about "Infra-Tech" (and "Visible Tech" for the era in between). But I have an arcane sense of humor.

Bill Stoddard

I am just saying that Low-tech sounds bad. I am not sure what I would call it but that name stinks.

How about Early-tech?

[ArmoredSaint]

More than anything else, I want to see updated armour technologies, specifically TL 4 steel plate--complete with improved game statistics (better DR, lower weight)--included in GURPS Low-Tech 4th Edition.

[Dagger of Lath]

Originally Posted by whswhs

If I were titling the books, I might take inspiration from the title "Ultra-Tech" and call the book we're talking about "Infra-Tech" (and "Visible Tech" for the era in between). But I have an arcane sense of humor.

I'd laugh at that one.

[whswhs]

Originally Posted by griffin

I don't think the TL4 stuff that was covered in High-Tech 3e should be more than 20 pages or so.

I'm pretty sure you're wrong about that. Just doing gunpowder weapons might take up 20 pages.

Bill Stoddard

[griffin]

Originally Posted by whswhs

I'm pretty sure you're wrong about that. Just doing gunpowder weapons might take up 20 pages.

Bill Stoddard

Well, I hope it doesn't require 20 pages just for the gunpowder weapons. If so than their might be a big problem. I'd think the book would be 256 pages just like High-Tech. GURPS Low-Tech was 128 pages so there's lots of room for additional material, but given the need to add TL4 and the desire to add fantasy elements (whatever that may entail) will add up to significant page count.

I'd definitely like to see illustrations along the lines of Martial Arts, and not just for weapons. I'd want to see this for equipment also, especially stuff may not be as well known.

Maybe there isn't that much more than gunpowder weapons for TL4 but I'd think that gunpowder weapons would consume less than half the page count needed to cover TL4. Certainly want to avoid the GURPS High-Tech 3e issue of being GURPS Guns Plus.

[Kromm]

Originally Posted by griffin

To start with I want it to keep the Low-Tech name (or something similar) not Fantasy Tech. I wouldn't mind to seeing a chapter on enhancing weapons using magical enchantment but that's not the primary need in this book. However, folks at Steve Jackson Games maintain that if the book even has fantasy in the title it will sell much better.

Huh? There was a brief period where we considered merging TL0-4 with magical "tech," but we decided against that some time ago.

[Polydamas]

I want something like the first Low Tech, only longer ;). We already have Martial Arts for a big-book-o-swords, for example, so we don't need very much space for weapons rules ... except for the guns.

Agreed about the need for good armouring and smithing rules which make Fine and Very Fine swords easier to make at high TLs with full equipment. You might even be able to fit in a sidebar about skill modifiers for making low-tech stuff at high TLs (lots of amateurs can do serviceable TL 2-3 cobbling, armouring, or whatever today because they have good tools, reference books, pre-made materials, etc.)

[DouglasCole]

Originally Posted by Polydamas

I want something like the first Low Tech, only longer ;). We already have Martial Arts for a big-book-o-swords, for example, so we don't need very much space for weapons rules ... except for the guns.

Agreed about the need for good armouring and smithing rules which make Fine and Very Fine swords easier to make at high TLs with full equipment. You might even be able to fit in a sidebar about skill modifiers for making low-tech stuff at high TLs (lots of amateurs can do serviceable TL 2-3 cobbling, armouring, or whatever today because they have good tools, reference books, pre-made materials, etc.)

From this point of view, more detailed equipment quality rules would be fun if not only pertaining to weapons and armor, but there for everything. Every time a PC buys something new, the GM can, VERY optionally, assume the skill of the craftsman and his equipment, make a quick skill roll, and instantly have something to say about each item. maybe there's an aesthetic flaw which can be used to reduce the price but doesn't change quality, or a non-visible flaw that might actually make the object one quality level lower...but charged for the higher price, etc.

Again, optional, but one of the actual BENEFITS of high TLs is quality control and inspection, so having the stuff on the shelf be pretty darn variable would be fun.