Poll: That old question Fantasy or Sci fi
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People don't seem to understand the difference between fantasy and sci-fi.
It's not "one has magic" and "one has spaceships," it's about what's theoretically possible. Sci-fi is supposed to be something plausible that humans can aspire to, and fantasy is just letting your imagination go wild. There are varying degrees of plausibility in both, of course. But that's the basic distinction. (Also, usually there's a mix of both in everything.)
Star Wars, for example, is very definitely fantasy. The Dragonriders of Pern series, on the other hand, is sci-fi.
For the poll I'd have to say fantasy, just because you can do so much more with it. I tend to prefer more plausible fantasy that's set in detailed worlds that don't require too much suspension of disbelief (The Golden Compass, The Old Kingdom trilogy, that kind of thing), but that doesn't mean I don't like the crazy dreamlike stuff too.
My favorite kind of sci-fi is the so-called "planetary romance" subgenre, which has nothing to do with romantic stories, it just means it that focuses on one or more planets and the people who live on them, rather than on technology and space travel. It also happens to have more fantasy than usual mixed in. (Examples: Dune, Pern, even ElfQuest.)
It's not "one has magic" and "one has spaceships," it's about what's theoretically possible. Sci-fi is supposed to be something plausible that humans can aspire to, and fantasy is just letting your imagination go wild. There are varying degrees of plausibility in both, of course. But that's the basic distinction. (Also, usually there's a mix of both in everything.)
Star Wars, for example, is very definitely fantasy. The Dragonriders of Pern series, on the other hand, is sci-fi.
For the poll I'd have to say fantasy, just because you can do so much more with it. I tend to prefer more plausible fantasy that's set in detailed worlds that don't require too much suspension of disbelief (The Golden Compass, The Old Kingdom trilogy, that kind of thing), but that doesn't mean I don't like the crazy dreamlike stuff too.
My favorite kind of sci-fi is the so-called "planetary romance" subgenre, which has nothing to do with romantic stories, it just means it that focuses on one or more planets and the people who live on them, rather than on technology and space travel. It also happens to have more fantasy than usual mixed in. (Examples: Dune, Pern, even ElfQuest.)
I actually do like them both about equally. Even more on the occasions they're combined.
http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/245/452/3e9.jpg
Seriously, they are two loose examples of settings. That's all there is to it. Fantasy or sci-fi isn't good by default, it's what you do with them that really counts.
http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/245/452/3e9.jpg
Seriously, they are two loose examples of settings. That's all there is to it. Fantasy or sci-fi isn't good by default, it's what you do with them that really counts.
Due to the amount of people getting upset with me because there was no "I like them both" option. So I though well why not, I wanted to know which is more popular and it looks like it is sci fi, so mission accomplished.
Feel free to put no thought or time into your post and say both, because you have played Chrono Trigger and Dragon age etc. and enjoyed some of a Star Wars film one time.
And as for you militant agnostics who really do like them both exactly the same with absolutely no preference between the two......enjoy.
Feel free to put no thought or time into your post and say both, because you have played Chrono Trigger and Dragon age etc. and enjoyed some of a Star Wars film one time.
And as for you militant agnostics who really do like them both exactly the same with absolutely no preference between the two......enjoy.
Lol I imagine myself as the guy in the background getting stressed and you as the goose. The pool is the thread this really is quite brilliant well done.Muspelheim said:
Aye, I love that pic. <3verdant monkai said:
The reason I don't really like one over another is that I only see them as settings, and I think it's more up to the individual story. If something is set in a fantasy kingdom or aboard a space station doesn't really matter, as long as the story is well-done and engaging.
If you really cant be asked to think about which ones stick out as much for you, then pick the I love them both option. (made specially for you and some others)Elmoth said:What if just as much good examples in both settings stand out?verdant monkai said:Looks like its the same response for you my passionate friendElmoth said:How the fuck is that at all reasonable? You don't get to tell me that I don't like two things just as much. Because I do. It's not about the setting it's about the quality of the game. Yeah I think the Witcher is better than Mass Effect. But I don't think Fantasy is better than Sci-fi. I would be ok with you saying that if you had a credible reason but you just said: "I have not added a "I like them both" option to the poll because I want you to choose one or the other, but you can dislike both them of course. Whatever your choice please give a reason why." You DIDN'T say why. You tell people to give a reason why when you yourself don't even do so. I love fantasy, sci-fi and even both combined WHEN DONE WELL, otherwise I don't. There's nothing inherent in the two styles that draw me to it.verdant monkai said:Because that will defeat the point of my question. I need to know which you prefer. Everyone likes one more than the other, seriously I said why in my op.Elmoth said:
Seriously, they can both be awesome. I love the setting's of Starwars, Mass Effect AND the Lord of the Rings, The Witcher etc.
And ofcourse those that combine the two like Warhammer 40000 and Hellgate: London. (say what you will about the game but those knights looked freaking awesome)
I don't care if you think they are both good.
I want to know which you prefer.
Nope everyone will prefer one option when confronted between two choices always*. And if you like them both there will be examples that stand out for you, the option with the more examples that stand out for you will be your favourite.
*unless it is two negative options like eat this sick or I will kill your dog
I like both, but in a subversive way.
I like fantasy a lot, and gun-to-my-head I'd probably choose fantasy over sci-fi, but the fantasy genre as it currently stands is mired in cliches and tropes because most fantasy creators can't get out of Tolkien's sandbox. While I like Dragon Age/Elder Scrolls (because they're just different enough to stand out and the characters and twists are interesting and memorable), most of my favorite fantasy settings are the ones that get away from the Tolkien/D&D take on the genre. I love steampunk fantasy, such as is seen in Final Fantasy VI, and cyberpunk fantasy such as is seen in Final Fantasy VII.
As far as sci-fi goes, again, I really like it, but I'm not really into the pristine, clean, "high science fiction" that we see in things like Star Trek and Mass Effect. I much prefer "future fantasy" like Star Wars or "space western" like Firefly and Cowboy Bebop.
In a nutshell, I really like both and I'm slightly more inclined towards fantasy, but I'm not keen on the stereotypes present in both, and the stereotypes are much stronger in fantasy than in sci-fi.
I like fantasy a lot, and gun-to-my-head I'd probably choose fantasy over sci-fi, but the fantasy genre as it currently stands is mired in cliches and tropes because most fantasy creators can't get out of Tolkien's sandbox. While I like Dragon Age/Elder Scrolls (because they're just different enough to stand out and the characters and twists are interesting and memorable), most of my favorite fantasy settings are the ones that get away from the Tolkien/D&D take on the genre. I love steampunk fantasy, such as is seen in Final Fantasy VI, and cyberpunk fantasy such as is seen in Final Fantasy VII.
As far as sci-fi goes, again, I really like it, but I'm not really into the pristine, clean, "high science fiction" that we see in things like Star Trek and Mass Effect. I much prefer "future fantasy" like Star Wars or "space western" like Firefly and Cowboy Bebop.
In a nutshell, I really like both and I'm slightly more inclined towards fantasy, but I'm not keen on the stereotypes present in both, and the stereotypes are much stronger in fantasy than in sci-fi.
I can read/watch/play just about anything, but usually I lean heavily towards High Fantasy/Medieval Fantasy. Fairies, Dragons, Toads, Dwarves, Gnomes, Orcs, Trolls, Giants, Wizards, Elves, no real 'technology' as we know it today in the modern world. No space travel, only certain 'guns', no lasers,... MAAAAGIC! You can understand that I had a huge metaphorical boner after the first time I read, 'The Hobbit'. I think the Mass Effect series was one of my only real 'Sci-Fi' space series that I enjoyed.
And the Husband leans heavily in the opposite direction with Sci-Fi. He'll play Sci-Fi Fantasy games, but mostly he prefers things like Eve Online. He's more of a fan of Star Trek than Star Wars, and I prefer Star Wars over Star Trek; here's why, 'The Force'. The concept of the Force is just too magicky for him. I'd try to explain it further, but I know I may not do it as well as he does. However, I think the only real 'Fantasy' games he seems to like to play a lot of are from the Elder Scrolls series. Everything else, he just can't seem to get through as well.
And the Husband leans heavily in the opposite direction with Sci-Fi. He'll play Sci-Fi Fantasy games, but mostly he prefers things like Eve Online. He's more of a fan of Star Trek than Star Wars, and I prefer Star Wars over Star Trek; here's why, 'The Force'. The concept of the Force is just too magicky for him. I'd try to explain it further, but I know I may not do it as well as he does. However, I think the only real 'Fantasy' games he seems to like to play a lot of are from the Elder Scrolls series. Everything else, he just can't seem to get through as well.
Thank you so much, this view I can accept. At least you are honest, and say you do have a sort of preference. Instead of insisting that your enjoyment ratio is exactly the same for both 100% of the time.remnant_phoenix said:
I think I really prefer fantasy, but sci-fi is full of better ideas and more originality. Fantasy tends to rely a bit much on tropes from Tolkien, but I guess a lot of sci-fi these days is doing the same for either Star Wars or a Philip K Dick book.
EDITED:verdant monkai said:
You're welcome, but I find it weird that you seem surprised.
Isn't the whole point of a discussion to flesh out views and opinions and explore them in a dynamic and social way? And isn't this is an off-topic discussion forum?
Or am I just being too idealistic?
*browses some other comments and threads* Oh right, I forgot I was on the internet.
I don't prefer either, because both genres have different strengths and weaknesses that make them both fun to read and explore.
And besides which, I prefer settings where they combine the two. Wizards dual-wielding revolvers while sorcerers fight dragons with biplanes, stuff like that.
And besides which, I prefer settings where they combine the two. Wizards dual-wielding revolvers while sorcerers fight dragons with biplanes, stuff like that.
I voted fantasy. Don't get me wrong, I love both fantasy and sci-fi... when they're done well. Hell, I might even prefer "really good sci-fi" to "really good fantasy." But I still have a fondness for fantasy settings over sci-fi settings in the general sense. Also, I tend to find that "not good" fantasy tends to simply be very "meh." "Not good" sci-fi, however, tends to be straight-up bad.
But hey, I'm writing a science fantasy story right now, where the fantasy setting that I've created has moved past the medieval periods that all fantasies seem to be stuck, and moved into a more sci-fi style era, complete with the beginnings of space exploration, updated technology, and the like. It's ridiculously fun to write.
But hey, I'm writing a science fantasy story right now, where the fantasy setting that I've created has moved past the medieval periods that all fantasies seem to be stuck, and moved into a more sci-fi style era, complete with the beginnings of space exploration, updated technology, and the like. It's ridiculously fun to write.
Oh Christ a Star Wars Geek!QuenkerKing said:Listen, if you are going to talk about star wars, understand the planets and climates and all that.verdant monkai said:Personally I prefer Fantasy because with Fantasy, you usually get to see more of the world the story is set in. Star Wars for example is guilty of this crime, all the planets have only one kind of environment(Tatooineesert Dagobah:Swamp Hoth:Tundra Naboo:huge grassy field), just looking at our own planet shows this is unrealistic, because we have a lot of different environments. With Fantasy you get to see all the diverse varied aspects of the world, not just one kind.
Not all of the planets are like that for christs sake.
They go through seasons and all. Did you expect to see a planet for a full year? No?
Naboo is like earth. It has every type of season and climate.
So is Correllia.
So is endor.
Tat/Hoth/Dag are the exceptions.
Mustafar is a dying planet, it used to be like earth too.
So, before you accuse a certain series of being "One way" do some research, mmkay?
OT, I prefer sci-fi. Why? Because I don't like those damn knife ears.
I do not care what you and your friends have cooked up, concerning Star Wars background. It is pretty obvious that the planet where they go at the end of the 2nd film is a desert everywhere (Geonosis I think), and that Kamino is a massive ocean. So how about you research it.
Yeah maybe some have seasons, but they were NOT SUGGESTED IN THE FILMS, which is where all the important cannon stuff happens, not the spin off bullshit. That is where I get my knowledge of the franchise from THE FILMS. So no I wont do any research on it thank you very much. You may want to read whole books on Star Wars trivia and side stories etc. but I don't. So dont accuse me of not being knowledgeable about Star Wars when you yourself are wrong.
No I do not dislike spin off's but I do dislike them being used in an argument against someone, who has actually seen the main thing.
Since the question is which one I prefer, fantasy. I like both, but I recognize that Star Wars isn't science fiction: it's space fantasy.
What I'd like is for there to be more fantasy that isn't set in a medieval setting. Industrial Revolution; analogies of the World Wars; SPAAAAAAAAAAAAACE! These would all make for awesome fantasy settings. Just picture it: An elf in a bi-plane hurling a fireball from his hand at the enemy he's dog-fighting, then uses the mounted machine guns to do a strafing run on a big demon-summoning ritual. That's just off the top of my head.
What I'd like is for there to be more fantasy that isn't set in a medieval setting. Industrial Revolution; analogies of the World Wars; SPAAAAAAAAAAAAACE! These would all make for awesome fantasy settings. Just picture it: An elf in a bi-plane hurling a fireball from his hand at the enemy he's dog-fighting, then uses the mounted machine guns to do a strafing run on a big demon-summoning ritual. That's just off the top of my head.
This is a problem with the material you're consuming, not the genre itself. For an easy example; take a look a Firefly too see how the proper development of a setting in Science Fiction should be. Actually; the original Mass Effect did a great job with setting as well. You've just got to realise that to compare (space) Science Fiction to Fantasy in this regard you must substitute "Universe/Galaxy/System" for "Continent/Land/Kingdom".verdant monkai said:
Eh. I think, generally speaking, violence is usually poorly done and overused. When used correctly, violence in either works equally well if given equal quality. That said, it's generally cheaper to make a passable gun fight then it is a passable sword fight so you do get a greater quantity of "meh" gun fights. I've also got to admit I love a good sword fight.verdant monkai said:
However, Science Fiction gives you much cooler toys to play with. Gun play? Sure, it works, but how about some vehicle chases! Space battles! Yay!
EDIT: I derped.verdant monkai said:
So, why is my love for Science Fiction greater than my love for Fantasy? I love the speculative aspect it provides me. Nearly all Science Fiction can be broken down to "what if?" that Fantasy really doesn't have going for it. It also provides a much greater number of plot elements to explore before having to degenerate to "because magic" (fuck you, ME 3 ending). Once you introduce magic, very few narratives manage to provide relatable characters without giving up and using archetypal characters.
1. This 'problem' is prevalent throughout most sci fi stuff. Not played Firefly, but I dont think Mass Effect did a good job of this, planets were pretty much a settlement and a square mile of terrain. Not enough for me (I understand that it is almost impossible to go into the level of detail I would like, because I want to much. Fantasy provides me with a lot more of the location and setting than Sci fi does, because Sci fi often has to be a bit brief, this is not always the case but it often is).Cry Wolf said:
2. Must disagree with you. picture the scene: two space warriors start to fight, both go behind cover (yawn), and one pops up and snipes the other in the head (not much of a fight is it?). With fantasies you could make a duel truly epic.
Big Sci Fi battles are cool, lasers and tanks. But I still prefer swords skeletons and arcane blasts. Also most space battles look like a washing machine cluster fuck to me.
3. When used well Magic can be a really good plot element Eragon's ancient language for example is a fantastic addition to the story, there are fucking shit examples of magic though I agree (Harry Potter). Magic does not make you give up archetypal characters where the hell did you get that from? If you mean characters have to be all Warriors/wizards/thieves. That is more of their job not who they are, although they have their stereotypes to be sure. But this is not always the case.
4.Not only fuck the ending may it burn in the depths of Hades!!