Will Stellaris be hard sci fi or super soft trekkie sci fi?

[el freako]

If the technology is distinguishable from magic then it's not sufficiently advanced, as Benford said

 

[King Travis]

Given enough time, isnt it hard to tell between magic and technology?

I, for one welcome our space hogwarts brothers and sisters

 

[Fizzy The Unicorn]

I for one do not think this thread title is loaded enough. The authors feelings on the topic do not come through sufficiently clearly.

It should really read, "Will Stellaris be ultra-cool realistic hard sci-fi like I read about on Atomic Rockets and Orion's Arm, or Will it Be Super-Dumb and Stupid Trekkie Style Kiddie Soft Science Fiction Which is Dumb and Stupid And Also Smells of Poo".

I titled it in such a way with the intent to draw traffic to the thread.

I actually do like Star Trek, despite it not being very scientifically accurate, because it's strength, in my opinion, is that it explores society and philosophical ideas using problems that occur in a science fiction setting.

A work of art doesn't need to be completely scientifically accurate, but I think such works would be far better off if they limit the extent to which they bend natural law to fit the story.

I'd like to see at least some degree of realism, because in the context of a space empire game, some rather interesting challenges can emerge from it.

 

[Vanhal]

To what extent will Stellaris remain within the realm of plausibility?

Hope not much. Plausible grand strategy about space empires in 1000 stars would be mighty boring.
Would like fun better

 

[EU3NOOB]

Define plausibility. To a certain extent much of Scifi is really opinion based.

Though of course there is examples of voodoo space magic that should be avoided.

Any inclusion of God should be avoided.*looks scornfully at Star Trek V*

 

[SIEGE-109]

Yeah it wasn't God...

 

[aruon]

all hail the One True God of star trek and My little pony: John De Lancie!

 

[Fizzy The Unicorn]

Define plausibility. To a certain extent much of Scifi is really opinion based.

Though of course there is examples of voodoo space magic that should be avoided.

Any inclusion of God should be avoided.*looks scornfully at Star Trek V*

Something that is plausible is something that does not clearly violate a natural law. A few examples of such laws are conservation of energy, action and reaction, conservation of momentum, conservation of mass, and the law of gravitation.


edit: also, I would say that unnecessary silly cliches like lasers being depicted as glowing red projectiles rather than a beam is something to be avoided as well.

 

[valergain]

I'm happy as long as it's a least a three or higher(doubt the higher bit I think it will be 3) the Moh's scale of sci-fi hardness.

The scale for those interested (Warning links to TV Tropes. Not responsible for time lost)

 

[EU3NOOB]

Something that is plausible is something that does not clearly violate a natural law. A few examples of such laws are conservation of energy, action and reaction, conservation of momentum, conservation of mass, and the law of gravitation.


edit: also, I would say that unnecessary silly cliches like lasers being depicted as glowing red projectiles rather than a beam is something to be avoided as well.

I've had a lot of discussions with very reasonable people who disagreed on what is plausible and what is not.

For instance, there are those who think FTL is implausible.

 

[Goosecreature]

Super soft trekkie sci-fi.

 

[Kuschelflummi]

Super soft trekkie sci-fi.

Mjam.. Treckie Softice :3

 

[grandad1982]

Super soft trekkie sci-fi.

So are you telling me that I don't have to manually calculate my deltaV when maneuvering for FLT insertion? Outrageous.

 

[Maarten99]

So are you telling me that I don't have to manually calculate my deltaV when maneuvering for FLT insertion? Outrageous.

You mean I won't be able to get stranded in a Munar orbit because I was a little too cheap on fuel ? That's disappointing !

 

[Krajzen]

Now there's an idea for an event....finding the +5 holy avenging battleship of light speed buried in a space dragons treasure trove....but you need an admiral with the paladin trait to use it.

I would totally play such space-fantasy classical RPG... Team, classes, detailed combat system, rich story and dialogues, technomagic, starahips, space dragons etc

 

[CptWilly]

Super soft trekkie sci-fi.

TNG-style where everyone's stern-faced about the dire ramifications our actions might have and the weighty responsibility of command, or TOS-style where we can teach alien women how to love?

 

[LordMune]

TNG-style where everyone's stern-faced about the dire ramifications our actions might have and the weighty responsibility of command, or TOS-style where we can teach alien women how to love?

A little bit of column A, a little bit of column B.

 

[Kuschelflummi]

A little bit of column A, a little bit of column B.

Hmm what about column C? Also known as the grimdark Warhammer 40k Column?

 

[EU3NOOB]

Super soft trekkie sci-fi.

So, I can seduce green women, then?

 

[Wenla]

Hope not much. Plausible grand strategy about space empires in 1000 stars would be mighty boring.
Would like fun better

Why are you so sure about this one? Why plausible grand strategy about space empires in 1000 star can't be fun?