On Sat, 19 Jan 2002, Doug wrote: > > I'm surprised to find to people on a science fiction oriented list > that aren't inspired by future technologies in a game. 8^(
Depends on how it's presented, I think. I haven't played Alpha Centauri, but it seems to me that games where you develop future technologies over time tend to lean heavily on SF cliches, or the new technology is a thin veil over some unrealistic gizmo that just happens to change the balance of the game in a certain prescribed way. That's nothing like seeing a potential future technology explored in a thoughtful and meaningful way (eg. spindizzies in _Cities in Flight_, or -- I assume -- the kiln people). In other words, future technology in games tend to be little more than a bigger or more efficient gun/engine/fuel source/food source/terraforming device/etc. with a nifty special effect. There may be exceptions, but it's easy to see why such things wouldn't necessarily inspire a lot of wonder or thought, especially compared to a game structure that makes you think in a new or different way about something that already exists. Marvin Long Austin, Texas
