Traveller:What is Traveller?/FAQ

Traveller is a roleplaying game (RPG).

• It started its life as a generic science-fiction role-playing game by several college students in Illinois.
• It grew into so much more: RPG books, settings, board games, novels, computer games, a universal sci-fi gaming system, world-building tools, etc.
• In the end of ends, it's just a damn great story!
• Please also see: Traveller Mailing List/FAQ

Description (Specifications)

The FAQ is very limited and has restricted itself to basic inquiries.

• However, if you still have an unanswered inquiry, please post in the Discussion section of this page.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) - Gameplay & Getting Started

Traveller FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Question	Response
What is Traveller?	Traveller is a science fiction roleplaying game, set in the far future. The human race has expanded to the stars. Player characters could maneuver warships in a space navy, or lead squads on assault missions, or be intrepid explorers of the unknown, or be shrewd merchants dealing with alien cultures, and so on. Many editions of the game are set at the height of the Third Imperium: a human-dominated Empire in charted space, in the 57th century of the Terran Common Era. Different editions of the game may use different settings and have different publishers.
Which version of Traveller should I start with and why?	This is an entirely subjective question. Nearly every version of the game is available either from Far Future Enterprises (FFE) in compilation form or from an active license holder such as Mongoose Publishing. Some of the OOP versions of the game are not available due to complications, but those are few. It might be easiest to start with versions of the game currently in print: Traveller 5th Edtion and Mongoose Traveller 2nd Edition. However, since Traveller is largely a story-based game, books from any edition may be mixed and matched with any other edition. In fact, many fans really enjoy mixing materials from many different versions.
Where can I purchase Traveller products?	It is recommend to purchase Traveller products from: A licensed publisher of Traveller products Through a brick and mortar gaming store Or directly from Far Future Enterprises (FFE) here: FFE-Website
How does the game work?	Each edition of the game may use different game mechanics, but all of them adhere to general RPG provisions: Pencil or other writing implement Paper Dice Friends Imagination Fun
Who currently owns Traveller?	Traveller is owned by Far Future Enterprises.
What is canon for Traveller?	Traveller canon in the OTU is determined by Marc Miller and FFE. It uses this formula: "Canon"... most of the time. Players and referees decide for themselves what to use in their games. Canon is never binding on players -- it is a publishing standard to maintain some level of setting consistency, because FFE just wants people to enjoy the setting and have a good time.
What are Traveller copyright policies?	Traveller copyright policies can be found here: Copyright
How can I become a Traveller writer?	One of the best ways to become a Traveller writer is to talk with a current Traveller publisher. The two major Traveller publishers are FFE and Mongoose Publishing. Some of the smaller Traveller publishers may be looking for authors or illustrators, but cannot offer Traveller licenses. One should inquire with individual publishers on a case by case basis.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) - Trivia

Traveller FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Question	Response
What makes Traveller a great science fiction name?	So many things! Please see the article on Theme or read through this wiki!
Why is Traveller spelled the British way with two L's?	Loren Wiseman wrote that Marc decided to do this to: (a) Make it stand out in America and... (b) Make copyright infringements more readily obvious (cheap knock-offs being more likely to use 'Traveler' by mistake). (c) Distinctiveness. Same reasoning behind it being an Air/Raft. (d) Giving it the British spelling in America made the title trademarkable.
Who were the founders of Traveller?	Marc Miller is the best known of the founders although there were a number of other gentlemen who were part of the initial founders. Some of the other much loved and fondly remembered early founders and contributors include: Timothy B. Brown, Joe D. Fugate Sr., John Harshman, J. Andrew Keith, William H. Keith, Jr., Gary Thomas, and Loren Wiseman.
Is Traveller hard or soft science fiction?	It has elements of both. Please see the article on Theme or read through this wiki!

History & Background (Dossier)

With decades of history, dozens upon dozens of authors, and many editions, Traveller has quite a colorful history: It probably mirrors the history of the Emperors of the Third Imperium more than any of us would like to admit.

References & Contributors (Sources)

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Far Future Enterprises or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.

• 1982 GDW Understanding Traveller pamphlette
• Author & Contributor: Traveller Wiki Editorial Team