lightningcat
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Currently Playing: Pathfinder, D&D 4e
Currently Running: Transformers, Pathfinder
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Post by lightningcat on Oct 22, 2017 12:55:09 GMT -8
Now that Starfinder is out, I have been thinking about the unusual genre of Science Fantasy, where both Science Fiction and Fantasy tropes are fully usable. This genre is not really common in most forms of media, including gaming. Although it has popped up a few times, such as the DragonStar line, Warhammer 40k, and the infamous Dungeon: the Dragoning. The most common media for this genre seems to be in anime and manga, although it also shows up in some 60s era fantasy novels. So what is everyone's opinion on this genre? Have you ran/played a game in it? Will you? Is it an unholy abomination that should be burned and forgotten? I've never had the opportunity to run or played a game in this genre, but have always wanted to. Unfortunately gaming groups have been less willing to merge the genres then I have. While not a perfect idea by any stretch, it does provide a interesting space to present ideas.
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Post by copycat042 on Oct 22, 2017 13:19:15 GMT -8
Shadowrun would fit this, I think. I have recently begun playing D&D using the Microlite20 rules. They have M20 modern, to which you could add the spells from the fantasy rules. It's all based on the d20 OGL, so you can treat it as modular.
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Post by Linus on Oct 22, 2017 13:24:33 GMT -8
I guess I regard the term science fantasy broader. I'd put Star Wars and Dune under the science fantasy flag as well, equaling it to space-opera. I like it quite a lot. There's often more interesting speculation in regards to the philosophies of identity, society and subjectivity within science fantasy, most likely because it is a staple of traditional scifi motifs. I haven't played much, though. I'm not that keen on Star Wars and would rather try something akin to Dune, like Fading Suns; or perhaps fully Lovecraftian sword & sorcery, with bronzeage rogues travelling between the stars by alien tech (ie. magic!).
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2017 15:44:44 GMT -8
I usually think of sci-fantasy as being like Thundaar the Barbarian - wizards and magic and technology. And I love that OOkla the Mok was named because they found him at UCLA.
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Post by Kainguru on Oct 23, 2017 8:38:17 GMT -8
Terry Brook’s later Shannara books are firmly Science Fantasy Many of Moorcock’s books (including the Eternal Champion stuff) falls into this genre - especially Hawkmoon and Jerry Cornelius (which adds time travel and parallel universes) Wizards, an animated movie by Ralph Bashki (check the spelling) The Heavy Metal animated movie. Zardoz, a Boorman Film Even the Matrix could be called science fantasy. Doctor Who is definitely science fantasy The list is endless. Aaron
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2017 14:42:30 GMT -8
I love me some Wizards. That's some messed up stuff there.
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tomes
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Post by tomes on Oct 23, 2017 14:45:52 GMT -8
Pern, by Anne McCaffrey (oops, spoilers)
Yah, most of the fantasy worlds I create or love to play in are science fantasy. It can go from gonzo craziness like Thundarr and He-man, to pseudo hard sci-fi explanations for magic and dragons and whatever (probably less frequent). Totally my jam.
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Post by Kainguru on Oct 23, 2017 15:01:06 GMT -8
Aaron
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lightningcat
Initiate Douchebag
Posts: 29
Currently Playing: Pathfinder, D&D 4e
Currently Running: Transformers, Pathfinder
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Post by lightningcat on Oct 31, 2017 13:39:09 GMT -8
I don't see Spelljammer as being Science Fantasy, there is no real science. It is truly Fantasy in Space, although it is so much fun. Pern always seemed to me as pure Science Fiction, but that may be because I started with Dragondawn, where it is obviously a Science Fiction story. I only read the more fantasy-style books later. The dragons are genetically modified alien fauna, the Thread has a logical explanation. The only part where real science is ignored is the human psychic abilities, but that an acceptable stretch of reality within the SciFi genre.
Star Wars definitely fits the genre, and Dune... I guess it does. But I completely forgot about Shadow Run and Fading Suns.
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Post by Kainguru on Oct 31, 2017 15:16:01 GMT -8
I love me some Wizards. That's some messed up stuff there. Heh heh, especially his final ‘Spell’ - BOOM Aaron
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Post by ayslyn on Oct 31, 2017 19:23:38 GMT -8
Yeah, Dune is, imo, not SciFantasy. It's straight up SciFi.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2017 0:37:27 GMT -8
I love me some Wizards. That's some messed up stuff there. Heh heh, especially his final ‘Spell’ - BOOM Aaron Reminded me of National Lampoon's Bored of the Rings when they're playing the Riddle Game. "'What have I got in my pocket?'... and he pulled out a .38 snub-nose."
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2017 22:37:59 GMT -8
Isn’t Ebberon or Deadlands Science Fantasy? It seems to me the hallmark of science fantasy is trying to make sense of the fantastical or putting it in a more believable setting. While at first I was hesitant to describe DUNE as science fantasy, it seems to fit the bill when you consider the mystic elements. A chosen one who can see the future and the past? Gussying it up in genetics just makes it seem possible, which is exactly what science fantasy is all about.
I have played Science Fantasy games before, specifically Star Wars and games set in the Superhero genre. Would I play in them again? Yes.
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Post by Kainguru on Nov 2, 2017 2:53:00 GMT -8
The thing with Dune is that Herbert actually believed in that ‘mystic/fantasy/genetics’ stuff. It’s a product of it’s time and the idea of a genetic memory was one of the ideas of that time. Thus the conundrum: it was written as hard science fiction but has become science fantasy due to science itself moving on, like Jules Verne. Aaron
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Post by chronovore on Nov 5, 2017 19:54:20 GMT -8
To clarify, we're discussing "science fantasy" as opposed to "science fiction" and "space fantasy," yes?
Many people argue that Star Trek is "science fiction," whereas Star Wars is "space opera." Would we be splitting these fine hairs even further if we delineate between "space opera" and "science fantasy"? What would demarcate that?
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