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Hard Science vs Soft Science

Started by Varaj, February 28, 2006, 01:32:40 PM

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Varaj

February 28, 2006, 01:32:40 PM
I tend to like my science fiction to be hard sci-fi.  If I want soft sci-fi I will just play a fantasy game.  Fantasy doesn't have to be medivial setting but can be future setting.
So what do you prefer?
  1. A robot may not harm a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
   2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
   3. A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

Knightcrawler

#1
February 28, 2006, 01:48:44 PM
Well your going to have to define what you consider hard sci-fi and what you consider soft sci-fi.  In my opinion Star Trek is hard sci-fi and Star Wars is soft sci-fi.  I have always defined the hard/soft thing by if they actually get into how the technology works.
Knightcrawler

"I Am Become Death, Destroyer Of Worlds"

Varaj

#2
February 28, 2006, 01:51:35 PM
Quote from: KnightcrawlerWell your going to have to define what you consider hard sci-fi and what you consider soft sci-fi.  In my opinion Star Trek is hard sci-fi and Star Wars is soft sci-fi.  I have always defined the hard/soft thing by if they actually get into how the technology works.

I would consider Star Trek to be soft science and Star Wars to be fantasy.

Star Trek is nothing but mumbo jumbo attempting to pass itself off as science.  Tripe at best.

Star Wars makes no attempt at science, it is a fantasy game in a future setting.
  1. A robot may not harm a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
   2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
   3. A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

Bagpuss

#3
February 28, 2006, 02:07:56 PM
2300AD and Cyberpunk Space is hard sci-fi to me.

Star Trek is soft sci-fi what with gravity plating, transporters, etc.

Star Wars is fantasy.
 

Dr_Avalanche

#4
February 28, 2006, 02:08:02 PM
I like a bit of accuracy in my sci-fi, but taking it too far (into what you call hard science) does in my opinion take away attention from what I find more important - plot, story and character development.

So I guess in a sense I prefer soft science, but it's nice if it doesn't look like soft science. If that makes any sense... :D

Varaj

#5
February 28, 2006, 02:13:11 PM
Quote from: Dr_AvalancheI like a bit of accuracy in my sci-fi, but taking it too far (into what you call hard science) does in my opinion take away attention from what I find more important - plot, story and character development.

So I guess in a sense I prefer soft science, but it's nice if it doesn't look like soft science. If that makes any sense... :D

Makes perfect sense.  The easiest way to get hard science is not go into details on how the tech works.  Just make sure the tech is believable.
  1. A robot may not harm a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
   2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
   3. A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

Dr_Avalanche

#6
February 28, 2006, 02:30:21 PM
Quote from: VarajMakes perfect sense.  The easiest way to get hard science is not go into details on how the tech works.  Just make sure the tech is believable.

Well, in that case I prefer hard science.

- flip-flopping Spi..  ah, nevermind... ;)

Dacke

#7
February 28, 2006, 03:00:21 PM
Quote from: Dr_AvalancheI like a bit of accuracy in my sci-fi, but taking it too far (into what you call hard science) does in my opinion take away attention from what I find more important - plot, story and character development.

So I guess in a sense I prefer soft science, but it's nice if it doesn't look like soft science. If that makes any sense... :D
Ditto. The point of sci-fi games is to zip around space and run into weird races and do weird shit. Scientific accuracy takes a distant second to that. I'd like some lip service to be paid toward it, but it's not a big thing for me.
 

Aelfinn

#8
February 28, 2006, 03:07:48 PM
the problem with Hard science is that it makes for more difficult roleplaying. you can't get around quickly, you can't have realy over the top adventures, and you certainly have a harder time keeping people's iterest.

Star Trek and Star Wars are both role-playable universes, whereas it'd be a lot harder to set a campaign in Vernor Vinge's Galaxy (A Fire Upon the Deep, A Deepness in the Sky).

basically, it comes down to fun. if everyone's having fun, it's all good.
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Iluagor Llew Ymrais
Prif ddewin merddin Embrai
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Varaj

#9
February 28, 2006, 03:11:28 PM
Quote from: Aelfinnthe problem with Hard science is that it makes for more difficult roleplaying. you can't get around quickly, you can't have realy over the top adventures, and you certainly have a harder time keeping people's iterest.

Star Trek and Star Wars are both role-playable universes, whereas it'd be a lot harder to set a campaign in Vernor Vinge's Galaxy (A Fire Upon the Deep, A Deepness in the Sky).

basically, it comes down to fun. if everyone's having fun, it's all good.

Very true it does come down to fun.  Star Trek has never been fun for me because it is so silly without trying to be silly.
Star Wars is a fantasy game so it doesn't run into the silly problem.

I'm not sure how requiring science be realistic slows anything down?
  1. A robot may not harm a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
   2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
   3. A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

kanegrundar

#10
February 28, 2006, 03:14:51 PM
I more in the soft sci-fi category.  I've got nothing against a hard sci-fi game, I've played in some very fun ones, but I tend to enjoy the flying all over the galaxy fighting weird creatures and collecting strange artifacts kind of play more than anything else.
My blog: The development of a Runebound-style D&D boardgame.
http://www.nutkinland.com/blog/49

Varaj

#11
February 28, 2006, 03:16:04 PM
Quote from: kanegrundarI more in the soft sci-fi category.  I've got nothing against a hard sci-fi game, I've played in some very fun ones, but I tend to enjoy the flying all over the galaxy fighting weird creatures and collecting strange artifacts kind of play more than anything else.

See that usually falls under fantasy.  Star Wars and Fading Suns are great examples. :D
  1. A robot may not harm a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
   2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
   3. A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

Nicephorus

#12
February 28, 2006, 03:17:32 PM
Quote from: VarajI'm not sure how requiring science be realistic slows anything down?

The whole speed of light thing cuts into what you can do.  Travel to more than one or two new systems in a lifetime is unlikely.  Also throw in that most systems will have no life forms and encountering starfaring aliens and being able to understand them is highly unlikely.

Varaj

#13
February 28, 2006, 03:18:56 PM
Quote from: NicephorusThe whole speed of light thing cuts into what you can do.  Travel to more than one or two new systems in a lifetime is unlikely.  Also throw in that most systems will have no life forms and encountering starfaring aliens and being able to understand them is highly unlikely.

I agree the alien thing is often not found in hard sci-fi, but plenty of great fantasy games to provide that.
  1. A robot may not harm a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
   2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
   3. A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

BillyBeanbag

#14
February 28, 2006, 03:50:32 PM
Hey, Varaj, I know this great unpublished Sci-Fi game a couple of my homies have worked on. ;)

I don't really know that I prefer one over the other, but most of the time I tend to be in "soft" science fiction games, but I really enjoy playing them and would like to subscribe to your newsletter! :)
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
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