For all general steampunk-related discussion.

So here are some initial ideas I have for discussion threads.  I encourage everyone to offer their input, as this will help me in keeping things organized and ensuring I have all the conversational bases covered.

* Introductions
* Art
* Music
* Clothing/Fashion
* Gaming
* Film
* Comics
* Fiction
* Plot & Setting Development
* Off-Topic Discussion
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:45, Sun 20 Feb 2011.

Ello ello.

I also have an idea to encourage some activity here.  In Character threads with a few compelling locations and themes that everyone can participate in.  And of course an area for advertising full-on games.

Oh, and in addition to Clothing/Fashion, a Props section would cover all the nifty little attachments being developed out there.  DeviantArt.com has shown a vast amount of prop production.  Oh!  Jewelry, there is a HUGE move in developing Victorian jewelry again, in addition to Steampunk specific stuff.

Annnd, Events, we should have an Events section where we can talk about Steampunk events, as I'm sure some people are at the very least interested, and probably partake when they can.

Indeed, those are grand suggestions. :D

My specialty :)  The roleplaying done here would be kinda like the vibe over at that Wolf's Tavern or whatever it is, it's a very casual affair for people with time to spare and basically everything's fair game as long as you're not screwing someone else over.

Alrighty, did some big updates everywhere and got some balls rolling, now to contemplate the In Character threads that've sprung.  It's city-bound thusfar, what might I do?  Hrmm..  My recent Steampunk/Victorian interests have been for a great expedition :)

Hello. Wanted to say HI and best of luck to the forum, I look forward to seeing where it all goes.

In case anyone noticed, I edited a player's post in the IC section that's currently up, adding his named entry as an actual character.  If anyone wants a character added to fiddle about in the IC sections, by all means...

Eh, can i get my own airship?:D  But im perfictly fine if i cant.

   I saw Hugo the other day.  Lots of clockwork stuff in there, even an automaton with clockwork mechanisms.  Not really steam punk, but could spark a few ideas and it was a good story I thought, overall.

In reply to The Automaton (msg #1):

I think we could start threads for

Military - Land

Military - Sea/Air


An initial question I have is does anyone have links for information on military medals for the time period. Espically for the navy.

I've also seen Hugo recently, it was a charming movie with some rather compelling landscape shots.

So here's something I'm a little curious about --

Renaissance Steampunk.

I know most standard examples of steampunk are centered around the Victorian era.  But I'd really love to do something more Renaissance-related.  Kind of like, if Da Vinci's machines had actually been built and produced.  I know that's not quite "steampunk" in the traditional sense, but I think it fits that same idea -- ramping up the industrialization of a given historical time period.  Airships, ornithopters, pseudo-mechanical tanks, "automatic" cannons...I think they'd fit really nicely into a Renaissance setting.

I'd really love to play in a game in such a setting (I just posted a Looking for GM ad exactly in an attempt for that).  Anyone know of any other sources (games, books, movies, etc) that have a similar inspiration?

So, clockpunk?

If you are willing to include magic then Privateer Press' Iron Kingdom may work for you.

And here's a lovely and appropriate place to discuss the apparent question of the day, "Is steam-punk a genre in itself?"

Well the case I've made is that outside of roleplaying games it is an accepted and known quantity.

Steampunk = novels, movie descriptions, socail Steampunk societies.

Its a genre as its gotten to a wide spread level across the human consciouness.

You also see Diesel Punk, which was around since the 1990s as a term to give a varition to WW2 ish era but otherwise a Steampunk setting.

Steampunk = Predominately Victorian setting of technology, language, culture, social dynamics and values with a few fiction or fantasy elements to create a variation or alternate Victorian era. Victorian itself aimed at the years of the reign of Queen Victoria involving skimishing colonial powers and before the massed armies of World War One.

http://oxforddictionaries.com/...an_english/steampunk
a genre of science fiction that typically features steam-powered machinery rather than advanced technology.

Seems pretty simple.  Nice authorative and broad definition of the awesomest genre man has ever created.  :)

I've always explained steampunk as simply "Victorian science fiction," and occasionally followed that up with "like Jules Verne or Wild Wild West."  Perhaps oversimplified for aficionados, but it gets the idea across to the unititated.

In reply to persondude (msg # 20):

Sure.  I certainly don't have any problem with that sort of description since it acknowledges that steam-punk is a sub-genre of SF, not its own genre separate from that.

In reply to ninthbit (msg # 19):

A genre OF science-fiction ie a SUB-genre.

I'm really having great difficulty understanding what the drive is to turn a sub-genre of literature/gaming into something totally divorced from its parent genre of science fiction.

Sci-fi is misleading and overly broad, just like fantasy.

For example, Iron Kingdoms ( http://privateerpress.com/ ) is a fantasy steampunk.  But calling it a fantasy sci-fi could also mean Shadowrun.  Without clearing all the old genres like anime (an animation style, not a genre) or other overly specific like cyberpunk, the quick easy solution is to add Steampunk.

Also, sci-fi is a sub-genre of fiction... What does that have to do with anything?  Its still a genre, and its clearly popular because it keeps getting requested.

Actualy...

Steampunk is a genre and is accepted in this forum as such.

---

DCV:
I would prefer to take some time to organize your thoughts into one post rather than using replies every few minutes. It starts to look like its arguing for arguing sake.

---

To all:

Discussion is accepted here and is preferred support for the genre be shown in this thread:

link to a message in another game

---

I will caution though that this forum is for friendly and encouraging. Should I feel posts or topics become argumentative or disruptive I will moderate them.

I certainly agree with you there.  I tend to prefer Harlan Ellison's notion of speculative fiction instead, but, unfortunately, culture's got the bit firmly between its teeth.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:16, Wed 29 May 2013.

The Steampunk genre grew out of being the Sci Fi of what is now a bygone age. When you talk of the Sci Fi age joe-average thinks of future tech things like one sees in Star Trek, I Robot, Star Wars, Halo and so forth.

What we call Steampunk involves not just the technology possibilities but other aspects like the social morales, the conduct of a gentleman, the conduct of a lady and so forth of the Victorian age. Its not strictly the Victorian age as something is different... like common air ships, steam stomper robots and so forth.

To save myself retyping here is one of the posts from the general discussions:

---

Pathfinder is a game system. (and I suspect searchable under game systems) Pathfinder lacks the non-game support that the genre of Steampunk does.

Speaking of authorities on genre someone passed this on to me:

http://oxforddictionaries.com/...an_english/steampunk
a genre of science fiction that typically features steam-powered machinery rather than advanced technology.


You know Oxford? The widely accepted keepers of the English language who accept Steampunk as a genre.

Steampunk...
= Is widely recognized outside of RPOL and in fact widely accepted outside of roleplaying games
= societies of real life humans currently gather as Steampunk members (see the above link for one of many such groups)
= Its in the dictionary
= Its part of many games that reference it (Castle Falkenstein, Space 1889, For Faerie Queen and Country, Red Sands and so on and so forth)
= Its acknowledged in bookstores like Chapters... 200+ matches
http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/...ampunk&suggest=1

Ya know.. when you start having things like this:
http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/...qyurcCFYOZ5wodSycAAA

You've earned a place as a genre.


It is simpler and clearer for both current and new users to keep up with the rest of world by including Steampunk vs "fantasy + historic + sci-fi".

Remember that this "game" forum exists as a support for the Steampunk Genre.


link to a message in this game



The only question on the table is whether RPOL will use Steampunk genre in its listing of genre-code.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:24, Wed 29 May 2013.

Having had a few argumentative statements moderated DCV has opted out of this group. His resignation is accepted.

Similiar discussion in RPOL general

link to a message in another game

Thought I would share this for any Facebookers about.  My own steampunk page, for steampunk-related funniness and, eventually, promoting events and artists and such: https://www.facebook.com/steampunkcity
This message was last edited by the player at 22:26, Sun 28 July 2013.

In reply to persondude (msg # 31):

'Sorry, this page isn't available

The link you followed may be broken, or the page may have been removed.'

=(

Try it now. Another admin had changed the url to be consistent with the other affiliated pages. Edited the link in my last post, so it should work now.

Another question.

I'm an audiovisual learner. I absorb best when I can hear a story while reading along. Or even just watch a movie about a world. I find that movies are the best advertisement for me to read a book. (That could just be me, and I'm fine with that).

But the sad thing is, I'm a very, ADD reader. I start books and don't tend to finish them or it takes me years/months until I do finish them and that's saying my retention is good and I don't have to start all over.

So, I have a nice little cache of steampunk readings to get caught up on. Not sure where I would want to start however.  Something small bites. I have a few anthologies with short stories, and that. Just, question is, do ya'll have any authors that you loved so much you couldn't put down?

Also! What exactly qualifies as Victorian literature, my historically illiterate self, just groups anything from Jane Austen to Jules Verne as qualifying for 'Victorian' or does it have to just happen during Queen Victoria's reign to count as Victorian.

And what are ya'lls thoughts to Edwardian Era stuff, like the Secret Garden. That was my and always will be my first love of all things historical and such. I'd love to see a Steampunk or Diesel punk Secret Garden, -dreamy sigh-

This ..... is turning into a ramble, I'll end here. (for now)

Well we are Victorian & Steampunk discussion so its all good

Victorian generally means the time of the rule of Queen Victoria.

Steampunk tends to be Victorian inspired.

The Edwardian stories also have use.

Great Expectations I believe is in the Edwardian setting. Not 100% sure on that.

One thing I've found in running Victorian Steampunk is to draw in the Edwardian plots like the lead ups to World War One.

Great Expecyations, the book specifically (The movie is too contemporary) could qualify as Victorian, but as Steampunk it would take a bit of creative reimagining. Alice in Wonderland is better suited to Steampunk (and iirc has been adapted to Steampunk before by at least one author rewriting the tale).

Frankenstein is a good steampunk fit (obviously) despite being horror. The Portait of Dorian Grey I would classify as Victoriana, and with a little work can be envisioned Steampunky. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde applies too (but can be a tricky read). Anything from Poe can also build up a sense of the Victorian mindset despite being an American Author. Mark Twain might also do so, but his works are more political and social in America rather than helpful got Steampunk or victoriana.

So, just a few ideas for reading, if it helps.

Good perspectives

Victorian is the real world base for Steampunk. So understanding the real Victorian is important for SP gamers and authors. Like how Robert Jordan based many of his Wheel of Time cultures on assorted real cultures. Then modified them. Tolkien much the same including his elves being not the baby stealing type of elves but the Nolder type of graceful elves.

Thank you for acknowledging the difference between Tolkien's elves and Typical British isle folklore elves! The distinction is important...

I know this is a bit old, and I don't mean to necro it, but I could not put down "The Scar" by China Mieville. I'm not quite sure it counts as Steampunk (I'd be interested to hear others' thoughts on that) but it certainly had that feel to me, and it was like nothing I've ever read.

I personally havent read it. I just recently opened the door to Steampunk literature and havent really found anything particularly awesome yet...something that is both a good, cleverly written book AND that yells out "Steampunk."

Of course that doesnt account for some books I have read previous to knowing what steampunk is. His Dark Materials trilogy stood out when I discovered Steampunk, and it stands out as being just a damn good set of books.

...on a side note, totally unrelated to books, I've been familiarizing myself a bit with the science anf engineering common in the Steam Age, and I'm actually amazed at how functional it is. Why DON'T we still use some of this stuff? It's surprisingly more efficient than you'd think. I'm amazed...

Didn't know this... first of the revived Olympic games are smack dab in the middle of the period 1896

http://www.ask.com/wiki/1896_S...n=apn&ap=ask.com

Now there's a setting

Periodic reminder

This is question/answer type board with saved messages.

So we get new activity by questions being asked. Ask and thou shall receive.

Good point on the Olympics.  One could certain spin some plots around them or move them earlier if needed to better fit.

How cool is that, well I never.  That would really be a great setting, thanks for info link.

Just a heads up!

February is the month for "Steampunk Hands Across the World", a month-long event celebrating the worldwide steampunk community:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1398953240354180/

How it all ended..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...t=PL40A6146642DEAF47

Current post on science thread reminded me of something (but I didn't want to put this over there since someone might want to discuss science of exsercellular material). Anyway, I was at a few steampunk discussions over last several months and I heard definition of steampunk as retrotech SF based on Victorian science, fashion and lifestyle. Now the definition looks all right to me, but as it turned out, chance decided that I actually got to play cyberpunk as retrotech SF. I actually mean as retrotech SF, rather than actual SF, because the GM explicitly said that we'd be playing cyberpunk as people in the 80s were imagining the future, rather than either as we imagine the future or the way that future is going to be.

Now has anyone done any other retrotech SF, other than steampunk, dieselpunk and cyberpunk?

Steampunk is sort of the opposite of cyberpunk in that regard.

Cyberpunk is how people in the 80s saw the future.

Steampunk isn't how victorians saw the future. Steampunk is modern people applying modern technological innovation to victorian technology.

It's using anachronistic design elements to mimic modern technology that the Victorians didn't forsee.

Frankly the difference seems moot to me and it doesn't really answer my question. (Has anyone tried any other retrotech?)


Of course we can debate your point too, if you wish, as I will readily boast that the way I saw future during the 80s looks much more like we have today than cyberpunk.

As for how Victorian age people saw future, do we have any actual traces, other than Jules Verne of course?

Well let's see what a 5 minute google search comes up with:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/briang...aring-in#.itkGAeJLko

http://www.ifisoft.ch/test/andrea/victorian-visions-1/

http://paleofuture.com/blog/20...-year-2000-1910.html

http://aeon.co/magazine/societ...invented-the-future/

H.G. Wells. Rudyard Kipling. George Griffith. Edward Bulwer-Lytton. And those are just the better known British ones.

Aren't they also a bunch of early steampunk influences?

Retroactively.

Steampunk as a literary genre was invented in the 80s by KW Jeter, Tim Powers, and James Blaylock started writing "Victorian Fantasies". Jeter invented the term "steampunk" to describe them in 1987.

Though these days Steampunk is more of an artistic/DIY craft movement than a literary movement; it's moved on from how it started.

In reply to Tortuga (msg # 50):

Sorry I missed this one.

Tortuga, these are so cooooool.


But more to the point, if that is how Victorian folks saw the future, it's damn close to steampunk.

The Fallout series is supposed to be retrotech sf, based on cold war imagined future tech (atompunk?), I believe.  That's the only retrotech sf I can think of, that I've played in.

Edit: check http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki...turistic_derivatives .  I think it's got the info you want.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:00, Fri 01 May 2015.

I'm sure everybody else already knows this, but there's a new competition show debuting in August that deal strictly with steampunk!

I think it's called Steampunk'd. Don't know what day it starts or what channel it is on at the moment. I've seen the ads for it.

EDIT: Found it. August 19 at 10pm EDT on GSN (Game Show Network).

Looks like it'll be fun.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:32, Mon 20 July 2015.

In reply to CoyotesGrin (msg # 55):

That is, "Retraux" (retro + faux)?
http://allthetropes.org/wiki/Retraux

In reply to Brygun (msg # 35):

Great Expectations was written in 1861, so is definitely Victorian and not Edwardian

In reply to tsofian (msg # 58):

Not sure if this is the right place but I hope so. As has been mentioned other places I have a current Kickstarter for a Victorian Science Fiction Role Playing game titled Stars of Empire.  https://www.kickstarter.com/pr...steampunk-rpg.gamers looking for a detailed universe with playable rules might be well rewarded

This is a hard science science fiction setting. We have done a lot of research, into technology, science, social structures and history.

If you want to know more about the game universe I've done a number of interviews

http://www.madadventurers.com/...-66-venusian-shadow/

http://www.madadventurers.com/...e-queen-and-country/

https://gmshoe.wordpress.com/2...ian-stars-of-empire/

There will be others to come. This might be a quick way to learn more about the game universe and what the project will accomplish

Footnote:

Im okay with Kickstarters/Early Access/Greenlights being posted as was above. The General Discussion Thread. No graphics or images just links. Seems a good way to do it. Of course a Steampunk theme is needed.

A call to all for questions, thoughts, debates, remarks, joys and sorrows of the Steampunk setting.

We are after all a Q&A style board so we want questions.

RPOL game advertisements go and can be found here:
link to a message in this game