Steampunk

[NoodleWoman]

Steampunk isn't any better than any other setting; its just a type of setting is all. Frankly, I've seen it used both well and poorly, but I can respect those that use it, provided the world setting isn't the main focus of whatever you're doing; the characters and plot should always be the forefront, the setting is just the stage.

I agree with what you are basically saying. My point is that in most cases those who choose to write in the steampunk setting often put together good story lines as well.

Before I get quoted and told "not all steampunk stuff has a good story" I know.

 

[CyberGenesis]

A good example is the "Girl Genius" comic

A friend of mine showed me that, i had started reading it one day and burned through as much as she had made at that point...i should really go back and continue if there's a good bit more

 

[klakkat]

Neuromancer i actually have read. Playing the Genesis ShadowRun game prompted me to. It was my first run with Cyberpunk. I just havent heard of much of anything 'good' in CP to read/play.

I also just find the execution of Steampunk to be better in games like Arcanum than anything like Bioshock. That's mostly only because Arcanum also rides the fantasy wagon at the same time. There seems to be a larger -good- gaming market on SP than CP these days. I think people prefer to look backwards in time for game settings these days since we've spent 80% of the last 20 years of gaming looking forward...WW2 shooters not included.

Yeah, the last good CP games I can think of are Deus Ex and System Shock 2. Attempts since then have been unspectacular at best.

For a good CP series though, I recommend Ghost in the Shell. I'm not a big fan of the movie, but the two seasons of the show are worth a watch (they are anime, but lack most anime cliches)

 

[ThrobbingEgo]

Robotika is a pretty good Steampunk Genre comic.

You should look at freak angels: http://www.freakangels.com/

Freak Angels is steampunk? That's news to me.

 

[ThrobbingEgo]

Yeah, the last good CP games I can think of are Deus Ex and System Shock 2. Attempts since then have been unspectacular at best.

I always wanted to try I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream. I've heard good things.

 

[NoodleWoman]

Robotika is a pretty good Steampunk Genre comic.

You should look at freak angels: http://www.freakangels.com/

Freak Angels is steampunk? That's news to me.

Umm, hello? Giant flying bike that runs off steam?

 

[ThrobbingEgo]

Umm, hello? Giant flying bike that runs off steam?

Yeah, but that one bike is the only Steampunk-ish element. And that could be explained by what's-her-name "absorbing" a whole lot of engineering know-how. It takes place in near-future, post-apocalyptic London. They use electricity and modern technology, ie windup radios. I wouldn't call it Steampunk.

I'm getting more of a Midnight's Children vibe from the comic.

 

[CyberGenesis]

Neuromancer i actually have read. Playing the Genesis ShadowRun game prompted me to. It was my first run with Cyberpunk. I just havent heard of much of anything 'good' in CP to read/play.

Yeah, the last good CP games I can think of are Deus Ex and System Shock 2. Attempts since then have been unspectacular at best.

For a good CP series though, I recommend Ghost in the Shell. I'm not a big fan of the movie, but the two seasons of the show are worth a watch (they are anime, but lack most anime cliches)

GitS is pretty sweet as an anime that's not a cliche anime. Plus its a pretty good look at where teh world is going...both technologically and politically

 

[blackcherry]

Honestly, cyberpunk interests me more.

 

[jboking]

Steampunk is cool ascetically and has a few interesting novels under its belt. I don't see it as anything better than Cyberpunk. Possibly worse than Cyberpunk for the fact that it is all essentially a "What if" scenario involving the Victorian age and nobody likes those(whereas Cyberpunk was a look to the future to see what could one day be real). Those are my only real thoughts on the subject.

oh, one last thing. I have always preferred metal Steampunk items(even if they aren't functional) to the plastic ones.

 

[puresowns]

To be quite honest I like the idea of steampunk games and books, but in no way would I contemplate actually living with that particular brand of technology. Too many people would have lung cancer from the factory smog.

 

[Silva]

I think there definitely needs to be more steampunk games. The visual style is very cool, and the whole idea of steam powered everything could lead to some really nice moral stories about pollution in gaming.

I think BioShock seemed quite steampunkish, particularly in the piece-it-together nature of the weaponry and the design of some levels, which is one of the reasons why people think it looked so unique and interesting.

I'm not so familiar with the rest of steampunk culture. It's not so big here in Australia, maybe. At least, it's not like goth culture. You don't see people wearing fake pipes and stuff on the street like you do goths. Not here in the country, anyway, hahaha. But it does look rather fun.

 

[Skeleon]

I consider myself a minor steampunkist.
I really like the setting and read several of its predecessors (H. G. Wells, Arthur Conan Doyle, Jules Verne) but I haven't really been part of "today's" steampunk scene.

 

[NoodleWoman]

The only steampunk thing I've tryed was BioShock.

That game terrified me. Why oh why did I choose to play it home alone at night?

 

[October Country]

Steampunk is so cool. I haven't played any games in this style however. The aestetichs and feel of steampunk are awesome - I have written some steampunk fiction myself and also tried going as sky pirate to a costume party at one point.

 

[skyfire_freckles]

I dunno if I would call Bioshock steampunk. Doesn't it take place in 1960? There's very obviously electricity and geothermal in that game.

It is a game that takes place in a past that has sort of alternately developed science, so it has that in common with steampunk, but when I think of steampunk I think of Victorian England and locomotives. And Steamboy!

 

[NoodleWoman]

Its like a whole subculture that you can only find if you are looking for it. Anybody been to a steampunk convention?

 

[Captainguy42]

I love Steampunk, I remember the first Steampunk game I played was Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magic Obscure. It wasn't the best RPG game play wise, but I kept coming back because of the Narrative and the setting. To me a well done steampunk storyline is worth the time all by itself.

 

[PirateKing]

Anyone ever seen Steamboy? I think that pretty much defines steampunk.

 

[NotAPie]

Speaking of steampunk, Has anyone played Damnation? Is it any good.

I'm not a huge fan of steam punk, but I want this sooo much.
[spoiler/][img/]http://www.etoday.ru/2007/06/18/steampunk2.jpg[/img][/spoiler]

See, I would love a steampunk themed guitar, some kind of hybrid of the following:

Ha, Looks like something out of Bioshock, Its awesome!