Steampunk

[Wilhiem]

I'm just wondering if anyone has any interest in the steampunk genre?

There are quite a few different genres out there that are more mainstream - Sci fi, Fantasy, Horror, but steampunk seems reserved for people who have dreams about airships and people dressed in victorian age clothing with funky steam powered gadgets.

I've run in one play by post game myself, seen a couple of differnet RPGs for it and actually seen some people cosplay for GenCon Oz this year, so its definitely out there in certain crowds ...

... anyone else have any thoughts they'd like to add?

[HairyHeretic]

I know we have some people interested in the genre. Not sure if there are any games running using it at present, but it wouldn't surprise me if there were.

[Oniya]

I had one started, but the other person disappeared.  I've also seen several threads with people ooh-ing over steam-punk-themed stuff.

[Morven]

I'm doing a somewhat steampunky story for this year's NaNo, though it's not entirely erotica.

[Saerrael]

I'm just wondering if anyone has any interest in the steampunk genre?

There are quite a few different genres out there that are more mainstream - Sci fi, Fantasy, Horror, but steampunk seems reserved for people who have dreams about airships and people dressed in victorian age clothing with funky steam powered gadgets.

I've run in one play by post game myself, seen a couple of differnet RPGs for it and actually seen some people cosplay for GenCon Oz this year, so its definitely out there in certain crowds ...

... anyone else have any thoughts they'd like to add?

Steampunk holds my interest. I'm afraid, however, that I don't know enough about it to truly contribute.

[Morven]

Steampunk holds my interest. I'm afraid, however, that I don't know enough about it to truly contribute.

Get three steampunk fans in a room and they'll have at least three opinions about what steampunk is or should be.

[Saerrael]

Get three steampunk fans in a room and they'll have at least three opinions about what steampunk is or should be.

Very true. It's not exactly exact science ;)

[Butterflykiss]

*currently involved in a steampunk game, and loving it muchly~<3*

If you're interested in some steampunk music, I recommend the group Abney Park (check on YouTube). They've got some great steampunk songs. One in particular about Airship Pirates <3

[Morven]

*currently involved in a steampunk game, and loving it muchly~<3*

If you're interested in some steampunk music, I recommend the group Abney Park (check on YouTube). They've got some great steampunk songs. One in particular about Airship Pirates <3

I'd second that.  Also, if they're playing in your area, go and see them, they're worth looking at.  The lead singer is cute in a boyish, slightly round way and has spiky anime hair and wears a dashing adventurer's outfit, and the rest of the band is similarly done up.  With steampunk-look instruments -- glowing things on the electric violin, lots of brass scrollwork on the guitars, and steampunky stands for keyboard and microphone.  And at least one belly-dancer.

And then there's how the crowd will be done up—to the nines, generally.

[Wilhiem]

So as a curious question ... what is it that attract people to steampunk?

I have to admit for me most of my interest is in the airships. Granted 747 is a lot faster and will get you where you want to go before the airship can, but the latter is a lot more stately, a lot classier.

[Oniya]

I think it's the inherent dignity of the Victorian era, as well as a fascination with tiny moving parts - a little romantic retro from this age of integrated circuits.  There's also something appealing about an element of danger from experimental technology that doesn't quite work.

[Morven]

I love the technology of the Victorian era, the steam trains and steamships and massive engineering works, as well as the architecture.

[Butterflykiss]

I think it's the inherent dignity of the Victorian era, as well as a fascination with tiny moving parts - a little romantic retro from this age of integrated circuits.  There's also something appealing about an element of danger from experimental technology that doesn't quite work.

I definitely agree with the Victorian aspect. It's all so elegant, and the words/terminology flow so intricately. Those small Victorian touches (politeness, mannerisms, fashion, etc.) make everything graceful and lovely.

Combine this with clockwork contraptions, metal monstrosities, and romantic, crazy adventures, and we have a recipe for fun.

I had a chance to dabble in a systems game designed for the steampunk genre, called "Castle Faulkenstein." It's very well organized and puts heavy emphasis on keeping it Victorian in feel. For example, instead of dice, players draw cards from a regular card deck to determine moves, etc.

[HairyHeretic]

Castle Falkenstein is a fun game. I've played it a bit in the past.

[DarklingAlice]

Charles Babbage & Ada Lovelace

[Raveled]

Who doesn't love mad scientists, brass fittings, and airships?

[Inkidu]

I just don't like the term steampunk, I just group it with the lower-fantasy sub-genre. Of course, I think there are only two genres.

Poetry
Prose

Life is much more simple that way.

[Morven]

The solution to the problem that labels are never completely descriptive or accurate is not to remove labels altogether, though.  It's to realize that all of them describe fuzzy concepts, and to use more than one if they both fit.

Genre as applied in the book trade forces square pegs into round holes and creates homogeneity and hurts works that aren't squarely in the middle of those marketing creations.  However, genre as a description of "If you like stories like THESE, you might like THIS" is a useful concept that would be disadvantageous to lose.

[Oniya]

I just don't like the term steampunk, I just group it with the lower-fantasy sub-genre. Of course, I think there are only two genres.

Poetry
Prose

Life is much more simple that way.

* Oni contemplates the idea of a poetry-genre RP.

* Oni is probably certifiable. 

[Captain Maltese]

I'm doing one steampunk story at the moment. It's a great genre. On last weekend's cosplay con I was dressed up as the captain of an airtimeship.

One of my chief inspirations are http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php

[Will]

* Oni contemplates the idea of a poetry-genre RP.

* Oni is probably certifiable. 

I must be certifiable too, because you've got me thinking about it now!

I love steampunk.  All that Victorian morality with the pent up frustration and perversion beneath... mmm, definitely.  Couple that with impossible technology and massive class divides, and you've got yourself a genre.  Loosely, anyway.

[Avis habilis]

* Oni contemplates the idea of a poetry-genre RP.

Poetry only?
Then you'd have to deal with styles.
That sounds tough. Oh, wait ...

[Wilhiem]

Zepplins return to US

There are several companies that supply blimps RL today. The larger ones seem cargo orientated, rather then passenger though.

[Oniya]

As I recall, Abney Park actually performed on the maiden flight of one.

[Morven]

Heh, I wouldn't be surprised!

I can second the recommendation of Girl Genius, though with the caveat that it's on the magical, fantasy end of steampunk, rather than the sci-fi / alternate history end.  I think the creators call it "Gaslamp Fantasy".