|
Post by starkiller on Oct 8, 2019 0:24:30 GMT
In previous editions according to me the potential of bodysculpting was underrepresented, with that technology a lot of possible body forms would be possible like begin an anime character in real life or a fantasy creature or an alien, today a lot of groups of people would use that to turn their desired forms in reality instead using costumes and props. Will all of this possibilities represented in games by some cultural group which embraces this tech to the fullest? It will be possible to play an avatar (film) like character in the game and not to be too out place?
|
|
|
Post by grinnenbaeritt on Oct 8, 2019 6:50:58 GMT
"Looks"- specific mods, like body-sculpting are an interesting cultural aspect.. but they also tread into the realms of what I'd consider Transhumans *might* represent, and how they operate.
I believe it's assumed in BP that Transhumans are simply "Bred" perfect via eugenics.. but, in games like Eclipse Phase, the body is just a shell and the consciousness is relatively mobile, allowing it to be "ported" into other forms, essentially making the "character" immortal, and those with the wealth to do so can choose the "best that money can buy", which in BP, might represent Transhumans (if your idea of perfect IS human), but could also represent additional forms OR even into vehicles etc.
With body-sculpting, much the same is possible, but within the limitations of the recipients own body... so the character would "look" but not be able to "function" as the reciepient intended, at least, not without the application of additional mods.
Whilst taking "Transhumanism" to it's ultimate ends, it would be possible to create a constructed empty shell that was a fully-functioning dragon and port completely into it.
"Avatar" uses the same aspects except there is a tie to the duality, in that the consciousness remains tied to the original host body. This is much like using a "remote", whereas True Transhumanism allows the core consciousness to be fully mobile and "backed up". (Using a mobile core, that can be replaced, as long as copies of the data have been secured elsewhere.
It's a fascinating concept, I'm looking into how it might work on Posiedon, and what the ramifications would be. At the moment, it seems as if the BP version of Transhumans, actually represent the closest match, albeit ones without the ability to port into other forms and having no "backups" available should theeir physical forms die. However, I could easily imagine a corporations resources might stretch to allowing it...
|
|
|
Post by Pawel on Oct 8, 2019 9:20:59 GMT
Awesome topic/question! Our understanding of the genetic flexibility of our organisms has obviously expanded the past twenty years and one of the trademark techs in Blue Planet is, obviously, immortality. A grounded, hard SF, medical immortality. Body sculpting ranges from aesthetic to fully stretching the transhuman boundaries. So I also do wonder what sort of new concepts we can look forward to, in BP: Recontact.
|
|
|
Post by starkiller on Oct 8, 2019 12:36:17 GMT
With the advent of bodysculpting tech I hope to see less prejudice about your looks, and more about your beliefs in politics, religion, lifestyle, etc. I think that begin hated for your genes has little reason to exist from an in-game perspective with the ubiquity of genetic redesign.
|
|
|
Post by grinnenbaeritt on Oct 8, 2019 13:25:09 GMT
I think there actually might be the complete reverse... a lot depends on the acceptance of the form/look chosen.. a more of a "it's not that we can, rather than should we?" issue.
My feelings are there will be be two camps on this question... one are those that desire to conform to a standard of perfection... and those that rebel against it.
The main basis of this decision will be cost and availability, the second will probably be the utility of the form.
In BP at the moment we have the possibility of 4-armed spacers... but in Eclipse Phase a popular "shell" is an octopus! The difference however, is that in Eclipse Phase, it's possible to change your "shell".
The choice in BP is more like getting a tattoo.. once you've got it, it's difficult to change without both pain and immense cost.
|
|
|
Post by Pawel on Oct 8, 2019 15:49:13 GMT
Shells, huh? Sort of like sleeves in Altered Carbon, yeah? That's an intriguing concept to play in an RPG, I imagine. I wonder if it breaks immersion for players in any way - roleplaying a character that's not fully attached to the physical identity of their "host" body. I think I'd struggle with it, but still, it's certainly a viable option for settings exploring transhumanism.
|
|
|
Post by doublea on Oct 9, 2019 17:27:33 GMT
Shells, huh? Sort of like sleeves in Altered Carbon, yeah? That's an intriguing concept to play in an RPG, I imagine. I wonder if it breaks immersion for players in any way - roleplaying a character that's not fully attached to the physical identity of their "host" body. I think I'd struggle with it, but still, it's certainly a viable option for settings exploring transhumanism. There is a RPG which uses this as a core mechanic, it's called Eclipse Phase. It really does lead to interesting roleplay to be sure, though my group didn't find much of a immersion break from that specifically. A lot of real speculative Sci-fi settings can do that all on their own just with the near magic of sufficiently advanced technology. Cool game though, check it out sometime. What's amusing is when I was running Blue Planet, the thing a few of my players rebelled against was the social stigma against overt cybernetics in the system. There was a section in there that people with 'obviously mechanical' cybernetics were kind of social pariahs, looked at as either too poor (to afford tissue replacement) or just really weird. They thought like, 'If we all think cybernetics are cool as hell, why would that attitude change the moment we as a society actually had them available?'. Though as I think about it, that may have only been in the first version of BP, and removed in v2. I'd have to dig.
|
|
|
Post by Pawel on Oct 9, 2019 22:00:57 GMT
I think I'm actually on a wait list / late pledge for the 2nd edition of Eclipse Phase. But that project's been stalling a bit, if I recall correctly. Gotta check my emails.
Haha, that's a bit of a challenge on its own, isn't it - roleplaying something that has a different value or meaning in our own eyes. Yeah, in BP genetic modifications are all the rage and cybernetics are poor man's temporary workaround until you can get something nicer, something that feels more you (only better) than a piece of machinery. Though I suppose this mostly means obvious prostheses and excludes various specialized implanted electronics.
Ha, also, there's a retro factor to consider. Aren't vinyl discs considered cool these days (I ask as I'm actually not sure)?
|
|
|
Post by grinnenbaeritt on Oct 10, 2019 8:04:40 GMT
But that project's been stalling a bit, if I recall correctly. I wasn't aware of it at all! Still, the 1st edition works fine for me.. As for "Stalling" check out the latest edition of Rolemaster... it seems as that's been in the works for about 5 years (and counting..) I like the "timelag" of the application of high-end tech and the social implications of it's application. 10 years ago I was still using windows 3.11.... I was considered a social martyr! That's where I believe Transhuman (in particular) should be made a special case as to the other "fixed racial" options in BP or the bio/cyber mod "upgrades" At the moment they are treated as a product of Eugenics, rather than the application of technology, which is fine, but taking the example of Eclipse Phase, it can achieve the same thing but with the premise that the individual has "chosen" that form "for the moment" (rather than being born like it) and the ability is still there for them to change in the future. Whether that further change is possible now, affordable, or even available on Poseidon, is another matter.
|
|
|
Post by Pawel on Oct 15, 2019 20:04:58 GMT
Certainly a fascinating concept to explore and it would be great to see it defined and presented in Blue Planet too. I think, from a tech level point of view, the ability to do it - and make it part of the culture / class identity - is already there, if the Moderator chooses to shape it themselves. But of course having it made canon and presented amongst them aquaforms and hybrids and other sumsuch would be great.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Oct 31, 2019 3:56:44 GMT
In previous editions according to me the potential of bodysculpting was underrepresented, with that technology a lot of possible body forms would be possible like begin an anime character in real life or a fantasy creature or an alien, today a lot of groups of people would use that to turn their desired forms in reality instead using costumes and props. Will all of this possibilities represented in games by some cultural group which embraces this tech to the fullest? It will be possible to play an avatar (film) like character in the game and not to be too out place? Yes. I agree with you and want to emphasize these options as well.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Oct 31, 2019 4:01:39 GMT
Shells, huh? Sort of like sleeves in Altered Carbon, yeah? That's an intriguing concept to play in an RPG, I imagine. I wonder if it breaks immersion for players in any way - roleplaying a character that's not fully attached to the physical identity of their "host" body. I think I'd struggle with it, but still, it's certainly a viable option for settings exploring transhumanism. The "Altered Carbon" trilogy was actually one of the main inspirations for Eclipse Phase.
|
|
|
Post by Pawel on Oct 31, 2019 17:07:35 GMT
Shells, huh? Sort of like sleeves in Altered Carbon, yeah? That's an intriguing concept to play in an RPG, I imagine. I wonder if it breaks immersion for players in any way - roleplaying a character that's not fully attached to the physical identity of their "host" body. I think I'd struggle with it, but still, it's certainly a viable option for settings exploring transhumanism. The "Altered Carbon" trilogy was actually one of the main inspirations for Eclipse Phase. I need to have another look at that game, when I get the chance. Hmm, though given the chance I'd rather play a whale than an octopus.
|
|