Polaris

Re: Traveller Hero Core Books Now Available! We gave this a lot of thought when we were trying to determine how best to get as many people as possible to get into Star Hero and the Traveller universe. Our basic plan for Traveller Hero from a business perspective is three fold: 1. Provide gamers with a fun and entertaining game (obviously) 2. Expand the market for Star Hero and Traveller: Many gamers don't recognize the Hero System as a very good science fiction game. I believe that Traveller fans are natural fits with the Hero System, but I have been surprised at how much misunderstanding there is about the Hero System within the Traveller community. My hope is that Traveller Hero will expand the market for Star Hero, just as it introduces more Hero gamers to Traveller. To accomplish this, we are planning on spending profits from this game on marketing Traveller Hero in hopes that it will expand the market. 3. Impress the folks at Hero Games enough to expand our license to a broader science fiction license, which will enable us to produce alien books, etc. This is where we are hoping to capitalize on the expanding market. To best accomplish these goals, we had three options: 1. Distribution at the low price we wanted to charge: Most of our print books are sold thru both the game and book trade distribution systems. As a small company, we have to use a consolidator in order to get carried by game distributors (such as Alliance). After the distributor cut and our consolidator's cut, we get 34% of MSRP to pay for printing, all the shipping, licenses, etc. At the price we want to sell it at we would only get 14 cents per copy sold (no exaggeration) after printing, shipping, licensors and our creative partners were paid. If we sold 100 copies, we would have 14 dollars to put into marketing. The book trade, on the other hand (distributors like Ingram, Baker & Taylor, etc) allow us to 'short discount' the book (which means we can discount it by only 35%), and will get it picked up by the online etailers (such as Amazon, BN.com, etc). This will allow people to order the books thru alternate venues, and not prevent us from making anything on them. 2. Distribution at a higher price: We could increase the price of the books in order to make game distribution of this book viable. We decided that the price we would have to raise it to in order to be viable would be too high to compete in the market. 3. Distribution thru our online store, book trade, possibly direct to retailers: We decided that this was the best bet, so that we could keep the price of the book much lower. Please understand that we *do* support FLGSs--we intentionally don't allow Amazon a discount that would enable them to undercut the MSRP, and look for ways to encourage people to support their FLGS. However, on this product, we just couldn't keep the price down and distribute thru the game trade distribution system. Whew... sorry for writing so much to a fairly simple question. I guess I could have accomplished all that by saying: "No" William

Re: Traveller Hero... an update from the authors ACK!! I sent an email to Jack (our webmaster), this should be fixed as soon as he is awake and at the computer... Sorry... William

Re: Traveller Hero... an update from the authors I'm posting this here too in case anyone has subscribed to this thread... Hi all! Just a quick note about a significant new product for fans of effect based point systems (aren't we all?): We are happy to announce that the core books for Traveller Hero are now available! We are running a special this week (20% off) in our online store to celebrate this release (the core books are available in both print and pdf format). Click on to http://www.comstar-games.com to pick up your copy today! William ComStar

Hi all, The thread title says it all.... http://www.comstar-games.com In celebration of the release of the core books, we are running a 20% off sale on all of our pdfs this week only! The books have gone to the printer, and we are going to be taking orders for the printed books now as well (so people that want to buy the 'bundle' can do so). The print books will ship as soon as we get them... William

Re: Traveller Hero... an update from the authors Okay, while the 'official announcement' will be over the weekend, I just wanted to give everyone a heads up that both Traveller Hero core books will be available probably over the weekend! We will be running a special promotional sale, so keep an eye on the website for the announcement... William

Re: Traveller Hero... an update from the authors We are hoping to have a big announcement on our website (http://www.comstar-games.com) tomorrow... William

Re: Traveller Hero... an update from the authors Hi all, [An announcement is forthcoming on our front page, but wanted to let you all know] I just wanted to let you all know that we have been told that our current license for Traveller (which includes a provision to allow for Traveller Hero) is still good for another 15 months. The core is written and edited and we are hoping to have all the artwork turned in to us by the end of this coming week. The layout will be finalized and sent to Steve for his approval. I am hopeful, depending upon Steve's busy schedule, that it can be released late this month or very early next month. William ComStar

Hi all, I was just watching CNN about the increased security precautions going on for the American Independence Day celebration. The US government is deploying "Special anti-terrorist teams" called... yep: VIPER TEAMS. William

Re: Traveller Hero Launches! Hi all, First, I am sorry about my mistake in that earlier decision. Much of these earlier product releases were created by Traveller designers, with the Hero conversions being done by a very talented Kevin Walsh. In order to correct this, I am at present trying to get Hero versions of the deck plans done up (with hexes and the 2 meter scale). The hex deck plans, assuming we can get them made, will either be sent to all the people that have purchased the products, or will be given away for free as a free download on our website. Again, I am sorry. William ComStar

Hi all, I just wanted to let everyone that is not following the Traveller Hero Update thread to know that the first couple of products are now up for sale. We are hoping to keep a fairly steady stream of new products well into the future. In honor of the coming together of the world's greatest RPG system with one of the most beloved sci fi settings, we are running a SALE at our online store for 20% off everything (until April 6). You can learn more by clicking: http://www.comstar-games.com William ComStar

Re: Traveller Hero Update Hi all, After all the delays, we are VERY happy to announce that Traveller Hero ("THero") has finally launched! The first couple of products (of what will be many, many products going forward) have been made available. In honor of the long awaited launch of THero, we are running a sale of 20% off everything in our entire store until April 6. You can find us at http://www.comstar-games.com Please help spread the word... William

Re: Traveller Hero Update LOL... I mean that there is a mistake in the products and they needed to be removed until they are fixed. The fix is quite quick and easy (as soon as our tech guy can be contacted), and it should be fixed and made live later today. I will post here to let anyone that is interested know that it is live. William

We're liars! Hi all, Our website says that Traveller Hero is live right now, but that is NOT true. There was a bad mistake made, and it is being corrected. I will post here when it is correct (very likely to be later today). Thanks, and I am very sorry about the misunderstanding. William

Re: Traveller Hero Update Hi all, Just a quick update: Steve has reviewed our first two products and given his approval for their release. He had a couple of very good suggestions, and we are looking into implementing them. Although he is not requiring the changes, we certainly do want to make the products as good as we can make them. I am hopeful that we can get them out within next several days. William

Re: Traveller Hero Update Hi all, I just got word from Steve that he is going to try to review the first two pdfs today. If he gives his approval, they should be available shortly. A couple of things: 1. His approval would also indicate what he wants in the layout... which will free us to have the other six that are ready to go to layout. 2. We can then have some of the other products converted to Hero, and laid out. 3. All the monies that ComStar gets from these initial releases is still going to be spent on supporting and promoting the heck out of Traveller Hero. I think that if we can get some strong sales, it will help promote Traveller Hero, which will in turn help promote Star Hero. The more people purchase Star Hero, and other companies see the popularity of the Hero system and want to license it, the more additional sales will come for Hero's own Star Hero products. This could have the effect of increasing Hero's support for Star Hero. 4. Since the products are all interchangeable, these make a great resource for any other Star Hero game (even if you are not going to play in the Traveller universe). The aliens, starships, civilizations, equipment and NPCs could still make a great addition to your game. Take care! William

Re: Traveller Hero Update I am not an 'insider' at FFE or QLI, but from what I have heard we shall be fortunate if T5 is out by the end of the year. If Traveller Hero takes that long, I am going to cry (and seeing me cry is not a good sight).... William

Re: Traveller Hero Update Hi there, Hopefully (crossing fingers) it won't take until summer... I am saying "summer" so that we are less likely to break a promise... William

Re: Traveller Hero Update Hi Starwolf, There are three 'core books' to the Travller Hero line. The first two (which are the setting books) are also canon for the "Official Traveller universe", and are already available at our website. These two are: 1. Out of the Darkness 2. Bearers of the Flame These two books set out the complete setting that is the 'official Traveller setting for Traveller Hero'. The third book is a sourcebook for Hero that is currently being tweaked. We are hoping to have this out by summer (the sooner the better). All three of these books (as well as some others) will be available in both pdf and print. Our plan is to use monies from the smaller supplements to market and develop Traveller for the Hero System. I hope this helps... William

Re: Traveller Hero Update Hi There, Yes... we have two products in Steve's hands awaiting approval. Once those are approved, another 6 are ready to go to layout and then to Steve. Some products will be set to only pdf, while others will be print or pdf. All of our products are going to have the HD files for anyone that would like them included for free (with purchase of pdf). William ComStar http://www.comstar-games.com

Re: Traveller Hero Update Hi there, We are currently intending to release the products at our own website, and possibly a few other online etailers (provided that we are able to and still pay all the licensors). The initial releases will be from the Golden Age of Traveller, but our intention is for 1248 to be the 'official era' of Traveller Hero. The two sourcebooks (Out of the Darkness and Bearers of the Flame) are already availabe in both print and pdf. These two books are not system specific, but provide you with all the answers that previous books in the official Traveller universe left hanging, and gives you a very solid background about the 4th Imperium, and the universe it inhabits. We have the first product sent in to Steve to get his approval, and as soon as it is approved, then we will put it up for sale and start sending the other products in (we want to make sure that we are on the right track prior to doing all the layout on the other products). As for the core Traveller Hero book, yes it is getting quite close... Shadowcat and the rest of the Traveller Hero Group are doing a GREAT job! William http://www.comstar-games.com

Re: Traveller Hero Update Are you asking about Traveller Hero here or about our coming core rule set 'Translight' (which will be a percentile based Sci Fi game)? William

Re: Traveller Hero Update Hi there, Each of the first products will focus on either a particular starship or a particular type of starship and will actually be an 'ode to the golden age of Traveller. We are also looking at doing a Hero version of some of our special supplement products (such as a supplement on robots). Each of these first eight will be priced around 3 or 4 dollars, and as I mentioned will include the HD files. William

Hi all, I just wanted to give a quick update about Traveller Hero (sorry about the delays). We have eight short pdf products in layout right now. When they are complete with layout, they will be sent to Steve for approval, and then put up for sale. Each pdf will include all the Hero Designer files for the material in them, and be sold for just a few bucks. It is our plan to use all of our share of the proceeds from these sales to help promote and market Traveller Hero! After these initial products, we will be focusing our Traveller Hero line on the 1248 era of Traveller (The "Fourth Imperium"). This is the most advanced era of official Traveller canon designed by Marc Miller and Martin Dougherty. The two sourcebooks for the world (Out of the Darkness, and Bearers of The Flame) are currently available in both print and pdf. Just a quick plug, they are both on a great sale (the pdf is 40% off, and the print book is 25% off) at our Grand Opening sale at our store, which you can get to by going to our website at http://www.comstar-games.com The line of Traveller Hero products will consist of both print and pdf (all products will be available in pdf with Hero Designer files as a package, and some of them will also have a print option). We are planning a special edition of Grand Fleet for the Hero System (this will be a manual for space military campaigns using the Hero System, and will include a number of starships and equipment from the 1248 era of Traveller). Thanks! William ComStar http://www.comstar-games.com

Re: Traveller for Hero... Hi there, We are working hard to try to make this as 'right' as possible. The new 1248 era (with the Fourth Imperium) will be the 'official setting' for Traveller Hero, but we are planning on releasing some of our older materials in Hero format for those that prefer the Golden Age of Traveller. The last thing I want to do is to make any promises before they are ready to be delivered upon (broken promises make people mad, me included). However, we are nearing a point of final conversions (we have the text and artwork, and are nearing the time when Shadowcat will bring his Hero expertise to do conversions) of a book that will not only be of great use to Traveller fans, but for anyone that plays Star Hero (provided their game uses starships, and in particular if the game uses the military). William ComStar

Re: Traveller Hero, a major announcement Very good to hear... I hope you like what the Traveller Hero Group comes up with...:) William