[CONTEST] 1KM1KT CYBERPUNK REVIVAL PROJECT

[madunkieg]

This contest could end up producing some games that will be pretty close to publishable. I suspect that for many of us artwork will, as usual, pose a bit of a problem in this regard, but I'll do my best.

[Destriarch]

I'm thinking of entering, but I have a question. What is the official, recognised definition of the term 'Cyberpunk', and how far from that ideal can we deviate before our games lose marks for it?

-Ash

[Chainsaw Aardvark]

@ tadk - I'd love to see the full length version when this is all over, good luck trimming it down though.

As to the definition of Cyberpunk, well part of this contest is coming up with one, or at least reacting to the old associations. Generally speaking, its "Low-Sci-Fi" - set only a short time in the future, focusing on street level actions rather than grand sweeping wars, usually focusing on reluctant or anti- heroes and usually there is a dystopian element. Film noir is a major influence on the themes, and there is a great emphasis on visuals (ie 3d internet, focus on characters' unique appearance etc.)

The catch is that a lot of the old literature and games captures a lot of elements from the time its written. (ie its now zeerust rather than a reflection of the future) R. Talsorian's Cyberpunk 2020 game has examples of: 1980s corporate raiding (though now with mercenaries in addition to toxic stock options) monopolies on communication (Look up the story of the "" in the US) and a consumerist super-yuppie culture (ie fashion cybernetics).

TV Tropes or Wikipedia can give you more info on cyberpunk, or the post cyber-punk, but the general idea is to remake the game without an emphasis on unlikely augmentations, living out of your car, and hundreds of guns, but to rather focus a bit more on reactions to social change.

Our thread about "" was the inspiration for starting this contest, and may give some more insight as well.

[Destriarch]

Thanks, I'll have a think about it all. Not sure if anything will come of it, but we'll see. I've never been much of a one for capturing the popular zeitgeist. My stuff is too crazy for that.

But yeah. Street level sci-fi. That sounds like a workable definition.

-Ash

(Damnit I keep clicking 'Save' instead of 'Submit'!)

[tzirtzi]

I've joined the forum to take part in this project. So I'm in! And with a pretty clear idea of where I'm going with it... ^^

[misterecho]

Welcome, come in. try not to head your head on the low ceiling.

[rutherford]

I'm going to do the CRP. My working title is "Point." I don't know why, but its short and easy to remember, so it'll do for now.

[Rob Lang]

Welcome, Rutherford and good luck!

P.S. Love the work you did in Cambridge. Explosive stuff.

[Nifara]

Hey all,

My first post here, and I'm going to jump in headfirst by signing up to this a couple of months after the first people, and see what I can do. I'm also juggling a new job, and a full-blown RPG projct of my own (details in the next couple of weeks), but, what the hell.

I'll be posting up some idea stuff later on today.

[misterecho]

I wish you the best of luck, remember you have until the end of June to finish it!