Re: FT III, BIg ships and such.

I concur.  I am loathe to expose myself to possible vitriolics in my
hobby; 
but some things must be said.  On one hand as a business owner, I can 
understand the need to continue to produce revenue, but I question the 
tactic of constant revision.  I have no numbers to support it, but I 
believe constant revision of a rules set alienates the players.  I 
completely support expansion modules.

I have gamed mostly historical miniatures and boardgames.  I also play 
SciFi, but until FT never ship games.  DSII brought about a large 
collection of infantry and vehicles which constantly gros.  A FT
collection 
is imminent.  But, the discussion of FTIII has caused some
reservations...

There was a time when the group gamed Squadleader(both	with figures and

without)...then came ASL.  That did it for many of the players who were 
suffering through collecting the earlier modules waiting for the
Italians 
or the Japanese.  Almost to a man, six players dropped the system, and 
other WWII rules were found.

Car Wars was also played by some of the group and others who didn't play

SL.  Sets of rules were purchased by non-SciFi players.  Almost every 
player I knew would drop in for a game of it once in awhile.  But as the

religious car wars players followed the constant modifications, the
others 
of us were left in the dust.  Then, all of the players were left it in
the 
dust...too complicated.  Only in the past year or so have a few begun 
playing just the basics.  But many avoid it.

40K was introduced to the group after it came back with me from a
working 
experience abroad.  Noone had seen it;	yet, it had immediate interest
as a 
lark from our more steady historical gaming.  The system was flawed but 
good for a game every once in awhile.  Then, the systems metamorphosized

again and again.  It went from a game where you could grab any vehicle
or 
figure and adapt to "Chapter Approved" and "Official."

Epic was played until it was modified.	Now, most GW products are 
completely avoided by all but two gamers that I know.

Empire, a Napoleonic set of rules, caught the same syndrome.  It was 
dropped.

Now it looks like Command Decision has caught it;  but it looked like it

would only go as far as CDII.  Now; just when I have finally enticed the

WWII gamers back, we discovered CDIII might come out.  There were
already 
grumbles about the having to alter the CD modules and scenarios for the 
CDII change.  Now there are also thoughts of dumping CD...

Interestingly, I was introduced to FT by two historical gamers (former 
Empire players)who never would play SciFi.  They collected fleets even 
before playing it.  They have even converted all the Napoleonic players
I 
know (11) into FT.  These gentlemen are not online, but I am sure that
they 
will be unhappy about the possiblity of FTIII.

I have just this one group study, but I venture that there are other
groups 
and individuals who feel the same way.