Post by Draxy on Oct 30, 2003 14:10:13 GMT -5
Well, since my forum here is really dead instead of doing a review of this new Sourcebook in one part, I'll make it episodic.
I just opened my door a few hours ago to a delivery man who brought me my anxiously awaited copy of the newest release in the GURPS line: "Transhuman Space".
People, I've only read the first few chapters at this point but I, just I personally mind you, am completely sold already. The thought and research that go into almost all of the GURPS supplements are legendary, but this.... it's stupendous! You almost need a degree in a science related field to get the most out of it though, which is why I wonder how well it will do in the public venue.
The first chapter is a moderately in depth treatment of of "future history" that is fabulous in both scope and feel and in it's ability to predict trends (and use existing information to seem predictive) that we are already seeing... like the massive Chinese push into space and the ever expanding mimetics consciousness in our cultural planning... a thing most people never heard of when this game went to press. Truly this is fabulous stuff. It really gives you a sense of "the future".
Not to ruin the plot for those who want to be surprised, but the general thesis is NOT pre-holocaust or proto-Utopian, which seems to be what most games aim for, but is rather realistic in tone. Scientific advances make for a standard of living barely comprehensible today for all but the absolute poorest, and then only in the poorest of countries. But... the differences between the haves and the have nots has grown proportionately. Indeed, the children of the wealthy are almost a different race altogether. They have been geneticly advanced and purified and enhanced and the poor can only afford, in wealthy nations, to insure that their children aren't born with birth defects. THAT still is almost beyond comprehension today, but it falls so short of the children of the wealthy that they seem godlike in thier physical and mental attributes.
The Solar System is explored and somewhat settled, but there is no smashing of the laws of physics and FTL flight is still in the realm of science fiction. Colonies on Mars and in the L4 (Lagrange Four) orbit each number well over a million while there are tens of thousands scattered in other locations from L5 to the Saturian moon of Titan.
The language does get thick at times, but there are no made up words or phrases... just heavily techno-geeky and science oriented; all of which adds to the feeling of it really being the future.
Society is still very human, but geneering has added clonal possibilities and what they call bioroids... biological androids that are basicly human beings, but with alterations... and NO real human rights. Making THIS group the underclass, instead of a religious group or other fringe organization of today both makes a morally outrageous enemy of the "slave holders" for people who want that type of game and shows a great deal of class in taking no real cheap shots at anyone around today.
The political situation doesn't emphasize anyone too greatly, nor denigrate anyone either. The author does an excellent job of showing rationals and letting the reader decide what he wants to get from them. Really, THAT was incredibly refreshing.
Well, enough for now. Next time: Chapter2-The Solar System.
Draxy
I just opened my door a few hours ago to a delivery man who brought me my anxiously awaited copy of the newest release in the GURPS line: "Transhuman Space".
People, I've only read the first few chapters at this point but I, just I personally mind you, am completely sold already. The thought and research that go into almost all of the GURPS supplements are legendary, but this.... it's stupendous! You almost need a degree in a science related field to get the most out of it though, which is why I wonder how well it will do in the public venue.
The first chapter is a moderately in depth treatment of of "future history" that is fabulous in both scope and feel and in it's ability to predict trends (and use existing information to seem predictive) that we are already seeing... like the massive Chinese push into space and the ever expanding mimetics consciousness in our cultural planning... a thing most people never heard of when this game went to press. Truly this is fabulous stuff. It really gives you a sense of "the future".
Not to ruin the plot for those who want to be surprised, but the general thesis is NOT pre-holocaust or proto-Utopian, which seems to be what most games aim for, but is rather realistic in tone. Scientific advances make for a standard of living barely comprehensible today for all but the absolute poorest, and then only in the poorest of countries. But... the differences between the haves and the have nots has grown proportionately. Indeed, the children of the wealthy are almost a different race altogether. They have been geneticly advanced and purified and enhanced and the poor can only afford, in wealthy nations, to insure that their children aren't born with birth defects. THAT still is almost beyond comprehension today, but it falls so short of the children of the wealthy that they seem godlike in thier physical and mental attributes.
The Solar System is explored and somewhat settled, but there is no smashing of the laws of physics and FTL flight is still in the realm of science fiction. Colonies on Mars and in the L4 (Lagrange Four) orbit each number well over a million while there are tens of thousands scattered in other locations from L5 to the Saturian moon of Titan.
The language does get thick at times, but there are no made up words or phrases... just heavily techno-geeky and science oriented; all of which adds to the feeling of it really being the future.
Society is still very human, but geneering has added clonal possibilities and what they call bioroids... biological androids that are basicly human beings, but with alterations... and NO real human rights. Making THIS group the underclass, instead of a religious group or other fringe organization of today both makes a morally outrageous enemy of the "slave holders" for people who want that type of game and shows a great deal of class in taking no real cheap shots at anyone around today.
The political situation doesn't emphasize anyone too greatly, nor denigrate anyone either. The author does an excellent job of showing rationals and letting the reader decide what he wants to get from them. Really, THAT was incredibly refreshing.
Well, enough for now. Next time: Chapter2-The Solar System.
Draxy