TRAVELLER Digest 537

Topics covered in this issue include:

  1) Re: GDW closes down by Ethan Henry <ehenry@magmacom.com>
  2) Re: FF&S Utility by Rob_Prior@nynet.nybe.north-york.on.ca (Rob Prior)
  3) Re: GDW Closing Down by cmdrx@magicnet.net (Commander X)
  4) Questions for Loren W. and DGP Re GDW by aswfh@acad2.alaska.edu (William F. Hostman)
  5) Re: (Fwd) GDW Closing Down (fwd) by "David J. Golden" <goldendj@csn.com>
  6) FF&S utility program by "James Kevin Thomas" <jkthomas@unity.ncsu.edu>
  7) Beta Tester Wanted by Rob_Prior@nynet.nybe.north-york.on.ca (Rob Prior)
  8) Keepers of the Flame by aholt@cnj.digex.net (Alexander Wolcott Holt)
  9) re:GDW goes under by E.Watters@Queens-Belfast.AC.UK
 10) Traveller by FarFuture@aol.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Fri, 5 Jan 1996 16:20:59 -0500 (EST)
From: Ethan Henry <ehenry@magmacom.com>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Cc: xboat@MPGN.COM
Subject: Re: GDW closes down
Message-ID: <199601052120.QAA03002@mag1.magmacom.com>


Well, for those of you who missed it, GDW
announced it's closing down. :(

I for one certainly hope that someone or some
company picks up GDW's product lines and keeps
them going. Too bad that it seems to be a tough
time for the industry in general - WoC drops
it's RPG line, WW lays off a few of its people
and now GDW goes down. I've even heard some rumors
about SJG cutting back on the GRUPS line.

Well, Roger Sanger picked up the remnants
of DGP, maybe this is a good business
opportunity for someone else to try to
rescue the Traveller line.

"Shall Not Perish"

Ethan

------------------------------

Date: 05 Jan 1996 14:57:01 GMT
From: Rob_Prior@nynet.nybe.north-york.on.ca (Rob Prior)
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Re: FF&S Utility
Message-ID: <4517886.57552127@nynet.nybe.north-york.on.ca>

I've been working on one, off-and-on.  (Well, more off than on, but I'm making
progress.)

In fact, a co-designer to help me with the user interface would be great.
You don't have to know Macintosh programming (I can handle that), just be
able to design windows, specify menus, etc.  I'll take care of the actual
coding.

I have virtually finished a similar (and simpler) product for Space 1889.

Email me if interested.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 05 Jan 1996 17:04:35 -0500
From: cmdrx@magicnet.net (Commander X)
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Re: GDW Closing Down
Message-ID: <199601052202.RAA20974@magicnet.magicnet.net>

>From the RQS Fortune and Glory
Commander X, CO.

>From TML#536:


>
>Date: Fri, 05 Jan 1996 10:29:27 -0500
>From: "Harold D. Hale" <hdhale@smtpgate.read.tasc.com>
>To: Christopher_Griffen_at_DMC-SJ3@DMCWAVE.COM, traveller@MPGN.COM
>Subject: GDW Closing Down
>Message-ID: <s0ecfd73.020@smtpgate.read.tasc.com>
>
>It's official:
>
>>From the Industry News topic in the GEnie Gaming Category:
>
>``GDW is closing down. One of the oldest companies in the industry,
>founded in 1973 as Game Designers' Workshop, GDW has endured
>years of tough times. The company, which now consists of Frank
>Chadwick and Susan Schug (comptroller and print buyer), stops selling
>product January 19th and expects to be shut down by the end of
>February.
>
>``GDW is NOT declaring bankruptcy, and will not be selling its products at
>discounts. Schug says, "We'll do the best we can to take care of
>everybody and find good homes for our games.
>
>``Of these games, the licensed JOHNNY REB has reverted to its owner,
>John Hill, and HARPOON rights have reverted to Larry Bond. CLASH OF
>ARMS  will do the next edition of the HARPOON game. There are
>inquiries about the roleplaying lines, but nothing has been decided.
>
>``GDW founder Frank Chadwick will now work freelance, mostly in
>historical games. Schug says he will probably remain in historical games
>he designed after they go to other publishers.``
>
>   We find ourselves in the same role as our fictional counterparts--as
>Keepers of the Flame.  While the prospects for our full recovery are
>better than the Regency's (at least in the short term), it is now up to us
>to keep Traveller alive until a new owner can be be found.
>
>Regards,
>
>Harold

This is truly sad news for Traveler fans everywhere.
But this does not have to be the end. I agree with Mr. Hale's view that we,
as fans of one of the oldest and IMNSHO the best and most versitile Sci-Fi
gamming systems out there, should do what we can do to keep the flame
burning. The TML is but one way.  I also urge thise people out there to
submit articles to magizines like the Traveller Chronicle.
Together we can Keep the Flame!

(Drat! and just when the RSB was released, now I'll never know what this
"Empress Wave" is all about!) :)

>From the RQS Fortune and Glory
Keep the Flame, now and forever...
(Norris Aella Alledon  First Regent 1068-1157)

**>Cmdr. X Out...<**


------------------------------

Date: Fri, 05 Jan 1996 13:44:58 -0900
From: aswfh@acad2.alaska.edu (William F. Hostman)
To: traveller <traveller@MPGN.COM>
Subject: Questions for Loren W. and DGP Re GDW
Message-ID: <v01530503ad1358d79fc8@[137.229.100.55]>

Loren W.: Is it true what they be saying about GDW Shutting Down?

DGP: Will you please see if you can re-release Mega? Or pick up TNE?


-Wil

William F. Hostman

EMail:          ASWFH@Orion.Alaska.EDU
HomePage:       http://orion.alaska.edu/~aswfh/index.html



------------------------------

Date: Fri, 5 Jan 1996 16:13:36 -0700
From: "David J. Golden" <goldendj@csn.com>
To: xboat@MPGN.COM, traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Re: (Fwd) GDW Closing Down (fwd)
Message-ID: <199601052313.AA05715@ns-1.csn.net>

At 04:24 am 1/5/96 -0500, you wrote:
>Please don't shoot the messenger:
>
>------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
>From:          c.bush3@genie.com
>Date:          Fri,  5 Jan 96 03:49:00 UTC 0000
>To:            hiwg-list@fwe.com
>Subject:       GDW Closing Down
>
>>From the Industry News topic in the GEnie Gaming Category:
>
>GDW is closing down. One of the oldest companies in the industry, founded in
>1973 as Game Designers' Workshop, GDW has endured years of tough times. The
>company, which now consists of Frank Chadwick and Susan Schug (comptroller
>and print buyer), stops selling product January 19th and expects to be shut
>down by the end of February.

        NO FAIR! I've been doing my part! I've been buying everything they
put out for Traveller that I could find!
 ___________________________________________________________________
  Dave Golden                              PGP Public Key available
  goldendj@whip.com        http://www2.csn.net/~goldendj/index.html

 "He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his
  enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes
  a precedent that will reach to himself" -- Thomas Paine


------------------------------

Date: Fri, 5 Jan 1996 18:16:40 -0500
From: "James Kevin Thomas" <jkthomas@unity.ncsu.edu>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: FF&S utility program
Message-ID: <9601051816.ZM18485@unity.ncsu.edu>

My next project after SUBGEN v2 is out. :)

Kevin

------------------------------

Date: 05 Jan 1996 18:09:06 GMT
From: Rob_Prior@nynet.nybe.north-york.on.ca (Rob Prior)
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Beta Tester Wanted
Message-ID: <656727903.58273847@nynet.nybe.north-york.on.ca>

My long-suffering beta tester has lost his Mac, so I need someone else.

The software I'm currently working on is a CAD application for the Macintosh
for six types of Space 1889 conveyance: landship, tripod, ironclad, ether
flyer, aerial gunboat, and cloudship.  So far the basic design sequences,
excluding weapons, are working for all conveyances.  Ironclads are nearly
complete, lacking only battery guns.  Printing is supported, but saving isn't
yet.  (There's no point in finishing that code until I stabilize the data
structures.)

If you are interested, print and sign the following agreement and mail it to
me at:

Robert Prior
Head Networks and Programming
Don Mills Collegiate Institute
15 The Donway East
North York, Ontario
Canada
M3C 1X6

======================

This is a legal agreement between _______, the beta tester, and Robert Prior.
 The software "Naval Yard" is licensed by Robert Prior for use only under the
terms set forth herein.

GRANT OF LICENSE.  Robert Prior grants you the right to use one copy of Naval
Yard on a single  computer.  This license can be terminated at any time by
either party.  This license will expire on December 31, 1996.  All copies of
Naval Yard must be destroyed when the license is terminated.

COPYRIGHT. Naval Yard is owned by Robert Prior and is protected by Canadian
copyright law and international treaty provisions.  The beta tester may make
copies for backup purposes.  The beta tester may not rent , lend, lease, or
otherwise transfer a copy of Naval Yard to another party.

LIABILITY.  Robert Prior will not be responsible for any special,
consequential, indirect or similar damagaes, including any lost profits or
lost data arising out of the use or inability to use Naval Yard or any data
supplied therein.



Signature _________________  Date:___________

Witness __________________  Date:___________

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 05 Jan 96 19:05:04 EST
From: aholt@cnj.digex.net (Alexander Wolcott Holt)
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Keepers of the Flame
Message-ID: <199601060008.TAA00667@cnj.digex.net>

I agree with Harold that we are Keepers of the Flame, but why does a new owner 
have to be found.  Granted that a lot of the information is copyrighted and
"owner" by somebody.  But those people are no longer greatly involved with 
playing and development of future campaigns.

One of my greatest pleasures with traveller was reading TNS in each the 
Traveller's Digests.  But where is that now?  It is in each of us.  Traveller 
does not need a new owner as long as we continue to develop it through TML and 
X-boat.

Alex
The Truth Is Out There
Trust No One
Deny Everything

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 06 Jan 1996 04:20:13 +0000
From: E.Watters@Queens-Belfast.AC.UK
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: re:GDW goes under
Message-ID: <0099BF76.BCD2AD20.19@v2.qub.ac.uk>


This has got to be the worst news I've got in a long while.
I was hoping with the release of the Regency combat vehicle
guide and Guilded Lily 1 that GDW was on the up again. Has
anyone seen these products in the U.K. yet?

I pray that someone out there picks up TNE.

Eamon.


------------------------------

Date: Sat, 6 Jan 1996 10:54:09 -0500
From: FarFuture@aol.com
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Traveller
Message-ID: <960106105408_108162395@emout05.mail.aol.com>


The industry news about GDW going out of business after 23 years mentions the
reversion of Harpoon, Johnny Reb, and certain other titles, but their press
release is not specific about Traveller. The Traveller systems (including
Classic Traveller, MegaTraveller, and New Era)have reverted, or will revert
to myself (Marc Miller).

Rest easy, I am working hard at setting the agenda for the coming years. Wish
me luck, and send me your ideas.

Thanks,



Marc Miller
FarFuture@aol.com

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End of TRAVELLER Digest 537
***************************
