Should Geneforge have been a pure sci-fi game?
| Author | Topic: Should Geneforge have been a pure sci-fi game? |
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E Equals MC What!!!!
Member # 5491
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written Tuesday, October 31 2006 20:44
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As is well known, the original plan was for Geneforge to be a fully sci-fi game, but this was changed because Jeff was scared that if it was too different, it wouldn't sell. The question is, would the sci-fi version of Geneforge (and resulting sequels) have been better than what we have? Poll Information This poll contains 1 question(s). 25 user(s) have voted. function launch_voter () { launch_window("http://www.ironycentral.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=poll;d=vote;pollid=ZaRXomfiChWa"); return true; } // end launch_voter function launch_viewer () { launch_window("http://www.ironycentral.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=poll;d=view;pollid=ZaRXomfiChWa"); return true; } // end launch_viewer function launch_window (url) { preview = window.open( url, "preview", "width=550,height=300,toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status,menubar=no,scrollbars,resizable,copyhistory=no" ); window.preview.focus(); return preview; } // end launch_window   -------------------- SupaNik: Aran, you're not big enough to threaten Ash. Dammit, even JV had to think twice. Posts: 1861 | Registered: Friday, February 11 2005 08:00 |
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Law Bringer
Member # 6785
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written Tuesday, October 31 2006 21:51
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The magic system could have been replaced with a more technological system with spells being gene enhanced abilities that draw from your bodies abilities. The explanation would have been ignored as long as the results were the same. Posts: 4643 | Registered: Friday, February 10 2006 08:00 |
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Electric Sheep One
Member # 3431
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written Tuesday, October 31 2006 22:57
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I think it could have worked fine, but it would have been a bit less original. The current quirky mix of science and magic, which is vague on technical details but pungeant in flavor, is kind of different from anything else I know. The other science-magic mixtures I know seem to have physics as the dominant science component, and the mixture ends up being very abstract and antiseptic, with alternate planes and invisible mechanisms. Geneforge being a biological fantasy, the magic is all raw and messy, and this is cool. If you like, Geneforge is science fiction, just set in a world where the laws of nature are rather different from what we know. The main difference I imagine it would make, for the game to be really sci-fi, is that everything would have to be a little more rigorously explained and consistent. And that might well be too tough a constraint for good game mechanics. -------------------- We're not doing cool. We're doing pretty. Posts: 3335 | Registered: Thursday, September 4 2003 07:00 |
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...b10010b...
Member # 869
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written Wednesday, November 1 2006 04:50
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quote:  -------------------- The Empire Always Loses: This Time For Sure! Posts: 9973 | Registered: Saturday, March 30 2002 08:00 |
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Warrior
Member # 7276
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written Wednesday, November 1 2006 06:39
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I'm glad it is the way it is. Genetics and allied trades are very active right now. To make convincing science fiction would have required a lot of effort in learning what the science looks like now, science that is subject to change between game sequels. Convincing science fiction, like convincing historical fiction, requires more author research than it used to. If it's going to be unconvincing, space-opera type science fiction, why not simply make it fantasy to begin with? The stuff about DNA tinkering (with no further details on gene expression) is simply part of the setting for the adventure, and doesn't detract from the fun. Posts: 63 | Registered: Tuesday, July 4 2006 07:00 |
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Apprentice
Member # 7333
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written Wednesday, November 1 2006 08:12
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I think it works better the way it is. A pure sci-fi game wouldn't necessarily be worse but the concept of a medieval, magic based society stumbling on ways to manipulate DNA with magic makes it more original. The way I see it, it's pretty much how life would be if alchemy had turned out to be a valid scientific theory. Posts: 49 | Registered: Thursday, July 27 2006 07:00 |
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Infiltrator
Member # 7488
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written Wednesday, November 1 2006 09:13
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It doesn't really matter to me either way; I still would've bought it. Jeff has done a really good job on his games thus far, regardless of genre. -------------------- Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so. If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you. Posts: 558 | Registered: Friday, September 15 2006 07:00 |
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Agent
Member # 6581
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written Wednesday, November 1 2006 09:56
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I like how is it. I just love Medieval Times+Magic. quote:Oh. I didn't knew that. >_< -------------------- Download Geneforge 4: Rebellion You have 6 posts. Nobody cares what you think. - Thuryl Wikipedia may be your friend, but UBB is not. - Dikiyoba Posts: 1310 | Registered: Tuesday, December 20 2005 08:00 |
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Shaper
Member # 7420
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written Wednesday, November 1 2006 12:41
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Could have gone either way, really. I really am curious as to how Jeff would do a futuristic society as opposed to the traditional 'olde' ones. But hey, he's good at what he does. quote:Says it all really. Not sure how you could have made the game better than this. -------------------- You lose. Posts: 2156 | Registered: Thursday, August 24 2006 07:00 |
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Councilor
Member # 6600
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written Wednesday, November 1 2006 17:15
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I couldn't answer yes to that poll, because now that I've seen the game, I like it the way it is and I wouldn't want it changed. But if Jeff were to do a pure sci-fi game, I think I'd like that too. Dikiyoba. Posts: 4346 | Registered: Friday, December 23 2005 08:00 |
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Apprentice
Member # 7625
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written Wednesday, November 1 2006 17:52
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I would have prefered it to be purely sci-fi, magic could be replaced with psionic abilities, swords with guns, pods and the like with technologically advanced field healing methods. Would have worked fine. -------------------- The ways to win: attack, attack, and attack some more. Posts: 7 | Registered: Wednesday, November 1 2006 08:00 |
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Warrior
Member # 7276
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written Thursday, November 2 2006 06:13
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Thinking about it, there's another reason why I like keeping it the way it is. In the game as it stands, genetically modifying a human has rather unpleasant side effects. He loses his moral restraint and self-control, or at least gets a looser grasp on them. It's an important part of the game, because it sets up some of the dilemmas that give the world its "cold" feel. In in a sci-fi game it might start looking like commentary on real-world genetic engineering, and as such would be distracting or repelling. I like it better as "part of the magic." Posts: 63 | Registered: Tuesday, July 4 2006 07:00 |
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Electric Sheep One
Member # 3431
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written Thursday, November 2 2006 08:38
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Good point. Some of the same issues that face real-world gentech are raised, of course; but the fantasy stuff gives it enough distance that you're not pressured into agreeing or disagreeing with any particular critique. -------------------- We're not doing cool. We're doing pretty. Posts: 3335 | Registered: Thursday, September 4 2003 07:00 |
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Lifecrafter
Member # 7331
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written Saturday, November 4 2006 08:51
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I hope that the Geneforge series never changes drastically. I love the medieval setting plus magic plus the thing with the "scrolls." And the canisters full of mutagen are an interesting idea. -------------------- You Shall Die Laughing: http://www.worfthecat.ermarian.net/converted The Roost: www.roost01.proboards104.com. Birds of a feather flock together. Posts: 794 | Registered: Thursday, July 27 2006 07:00 |