The Traveller Book: Science-Fiction Adventure in the Far Future

by Marc W. Miller

Details the rules of a science fiction role-playing game based on the adventures of fictional characters in outer space.

Genres: Science Fiction, Role Playing Games

159 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Marc W. Miller is an American game designer.

Miller was one of the founding partners of the Game Designers' Workshop (GDW), and the original creator of the Traveller science-fiction role-playing game. After GDW folded, the Traveller rights reverted to him, resulting in three more editions of the game, administered by his company Far Future Enterprises:

Reviews

[Forrest · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the grand-daddy of pen and paper Science Fiction Role-playing games. The system, love it or hate it, was and is unique. I happen to love the system. Lack of character growth and the possibility of one's character's demise before the character is even fully created, seem to be the top reasons that people dislike the system. But how many gamers have really taken part in a full-fledged campaign that lasts for years? I've been in two, and I've gamed a lot and have been gaming a long time. Fact is, most role-playing is done in stop-and-start fits of one, two, maybe three sessions in a "campaign". So who cares if your character doesn't grow? In fact, who cares if your character dies before he or she is fully formed? Big deal. Roll up another. You're not the one dying, the character is. If you're that tied to an imaginary character you've just begun generating by rolling a few dice, I advise you to seek help quickly.

Now, I don't think that The Traveller Book is sufficient, in and of itself, to run a well-fleshed out game. I recommend supplementing it with Traveller: Book 4: Mercenary and Traveller: Book 5: High Guard. The supplements beyond these two tend to upset game play a bit, though they do flesh out the Traveller universe, which is as comprehensive and thorough a gaming universe as I've seen.

The real wonder of the game is it's simplicity. Yes, there are charts giving pluses and minuses for varying conditions under which characters use their skills, but overall, skill use and the combat system are pretty slick and quick. If you have the relevant charts in front of you, it's not terribly complicated. Furthermore, the combat system feels realistic. I'm not a trauma doctor, so I can't speak to the reality of it, but the sudden shock of being hit by a weapon and the subsequent wearing down of a person's ability to stay in the fight as combat wears on, feels "real".

Had Mercenary and High Guard been integrated into the original game, it might have been close to perfect. Even by itself, though, The Traveller Book can set you and your friends well on your way to adventuring among the stars in the far future. Just don't get too attached to those characters, okay? After all, it is only a game.

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good god, this game reads fantastic for being approximately a billion years old.

[Kelvin Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given that this is from 1981 it's quite elegant in terms of design and I can see why it was so popular.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent blend of LBB 1-3, two starter adventures (one from Double Adventure 1) and a smattering of library data. It really is the eponymous Traveller experience outside the LBBs.

[Arthur B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arguably the best ever presentation of Classic Traveller. Full review: https://refereeingandreflection.wordp...

[Ramón Nogueras Pérez · Rating 5 out of 5]

El papá de los juegos de rol de ciencia-ficción ha caído por fin en mis codiciosas manos y empezamos este viernes a probarlo. Más conforme lea más.

Me ha gustado. Me ha gustado mucho. Se nota la diferencia con los manuales de rol de ahora: el estilo es puramente técnico, no hay concesiones literarias, no hay trozos de ficción, no hay molonidades. Son reglas y descripciones tan asépticas como es posible.

Eso sí, es un juegazo. Más en breve.

En una segunda lectura, es aún mejor. Es tremenda la elegancia de cada sistema y cómo impulsa la imaginación. Y lo sencillo que es cuando lo practicas un poco.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a fun game but didn't have a mechanism for gaining levels beyond character creation.
So I gave it 4 stars

[Garry Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compendium of the first three Traveller books with additional information. I have several copies and even take one to work with me to work everyday. A must-have for any Traveller player.