Firefly and Travellers by Kane

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Firefly and Travellers

POSTED BY: KANE
UPDATED: Sunday, September 29, 2002 09:33
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VIEWED: 1783
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Saturday, September 28, 2002 10:37 AM

I really like what I have seen of this series.
But something about it reminds me of the old
sci-fi role playing game - Travellers.

Is it just me or has anyone noticed that Firefly
seems to have elements of Travellers? For examples:

1) The term "core worlds" used in the series
to refer to the Alliance worlds, and the
core worlds in the Imperium for Travellers.

2) The notion of a band of merchant/mercenaries
on a modified merchant/transport ship carrying
on commerce on the frontiers.

3) Pirates/Reverts.

4) Psionic institution carrying on secret
research (hinted).

5) The design of the Firefly class ship is
somewhat close to the design and layouts of
the scout/merchant ships used in the game.

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Saturday, September 28, 2002 10:44 AM

HOBBES

Quote:

1) The term "core worlds" used in the series
to refer to the Alliance worlds, and the
core worlds in the Imperium for Travellers.

They're called the Central Worlds. As for the rest, well I've never played Traveller.

-------------------------------------------------
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May you be in heaven an hour before
The Devil knows you’re dead.

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Saturday, September 28, 2002 11:05 AM

ZICSOFT

You're not the first person to mention the Traveller RPG on this board. Jeff Timm is always crediting the game handbook as a source for his comments on technology in Firefly.

Somehow I don't picture Joss Whedon as an role playing gamer. Too time consuming. But I suppose it's possible he drew on the Traveller universe in some way. Then again, from what little I know about Traveller (mostly from looking at www.sjgames.com/gurps/traveller/) there are big differences between the Traveller and Firefly universes, as well as similarities.

Has anyone else noticed that spacefarers in Firefly are often referred to as "travellers"? That suggests the connection is deliberate.

It's also possible that Whedon and the original inventors of Traveller simply share a premise, that the most popular Science Fiction universes (Star Wars, Star Trek) have just gotten too disconnected from reality, and there's a need for stories and games with a strong connection to actual science and technology. If that's true, it's not suprising that they'd both take this premise to similar places.

In any case, I'm beginning to think some basic Traveller docs might enhance my enjoyment of Firefly.

JOSS, WHERE'S MY CHECK???!!!

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Sunday, September 29, 2002 9:27 AM

REYVNDARKNIGHT

Definitely noticed the similarities between the Traveller RPG and Firefly series.

When the premier came on, I and my fellow Traveller RPG gamers gathered to watch the episode. As it unfolded, my friends and I watched, laughed, and wondered if Whedon had covert surveillance on our Traveller RPG sessions. Most of the story elements, from the bar fight to crew interaction to the train heist, has been in our games in some shape form or fashion over the past ten years.

Traveller fans Unite and support Firefly!!

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Sunday, September 29, 2002 9:33 AM

ZICSOFT

Quote:
Originally posted by ReyvnDarKnight:
Traveller fans Unite and support Firefly!!

I wouldn't be suprised if gaming stores and Traveller gatherings get added to the list of places subject to PR appearances!

JOSS, WHERE'S MY CHECK???!!!

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