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Developer Explains Clone/Transhumanist RPG

Posted by Soulskill on from the gamers-don't-like-words-that-big dept.

destinyland writes "How much would you use technology to change yourself if humanity faced extinction? In this interview, the two creators behind Eclipse Phase explain their bizarre role-playing game, which 'expands the transhuman conversation.' All the characters can be identical clones, and when you switch bodies, it affects your core characteristics while damaging your sanity. But its spookiest concept is close to reality today: the idea of universal surveillance in which 'everything is networked and equipped with sensors and all meshed together.'"

15 of 41 comments (clear)

  1. OK... by dangitman · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I'd say that, at least initially, one of the things we wanted to do was attempt to engage with a lot of the issues that you see coming up on transhumanist websites, amongst transhumanist listserves, when transhumanists get together and discuss these things

    This game actually sounds neat, but in my experience "attempting to engage with a lot of the issues you see on transhumanist websites" is a lot like trying to hold a conversation with a 9/11 Truther or Intelligent Design proponent - I'd rather have root canal surgery.

    --
    ... and then they built the supercollider.
    1. Re:OK... by Chris+Burke · · Score: 2, Funny

      like trying to hold a conversation with a 9/11 Truther or Intelligent Design proponent - I'd rather have root canal surgery.

      That's only because you're afraid of the truth, which is that some supernatural entity, that sure may be the God of Abraham but might not be too, caused a special task force of the U.S. government to appear to evolve into a man-machine combination that exceeds the capabilities of both in order to plot the destruction of the Twin Towers!

      --

      The enemies of Democracy are
    2. Re:OK... by interkin3tic · · Score: 5, Insightful

      This game actually sounds neat, but in my experience "attempting to engage with a lot of the issues you see on transhumanist websites" is a lot like trying to hold a conversation with a 9/11 Truther or Intelligent Design proponent - I'd rather have root canal surgery.

      But by getting a root canal, you would be using science and technology to improve your physical characteristics and in a small way you'd be affirming that suffering tooth pain is unnecessary and undesirable. So basically you're transhuman if you do, transhuman if you don't. Or maybe that was just a convoluted way of saying "Less talk more transhumanism."

      Maybe you should have said "attempting to engage with a lot of the issues you see on transhumanist websites... I'd rather die a slow painful death from a tooth abscess."

      (Kidding, at least I started off that way, then I probably just overthought it.)

    3. Re:OK... by dangitman · · Score: 2, Insightful

      But by getting a root canal, you would be using science and technology to improve your physical characteristics and in a small way you'd be affirming that suffering tooth pain is unnecessary and undesirable.

      Which is specifically why I chose that example. Root canals work. I'm not going to argue the philosophy or politics of it, when I can just get it done.

      --
      ... and then they built the supercollider.
  2. Pic from TFA by 4D6963 · · Score: 2, Funny

    This. Must I deduce that 'transhumanism' is like furry fandom except with robots instead of felines?

    --
    You just got troll'd!
  3. What a pity.. by Nareth · · Score: 3, Informative

    As I was reading, I was thinking what an innovative and interesting game this would make, one thing the mmorpg market hasn't seen yet. ...And then, much to my distress, I realize it's a pen-and-paper game.

    1. Re:What a pity.. by Junior+J.+Junior+III · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I don't know why anyone would be disappointed to learn this. Pen and paper isn't worse, it's a different medium. It's a far richer medium, as well, with fewer restrictions on what can be done. If you want to have a social experiment, pen/paper or live-action are really a better experience for the participants than an mmorpg is.

      --
      You see? You see? Your stupid minds! Stupid! Stupid!
    2. Re:What a pity.. by julesh · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I don't know why anyone would be disappointed to learn this. Pen and paper isn't worse, it's a different medium

      I think the point GP was trying to make is that there's no shortage of innovative and different pen & paper games, but an almost total dearth of them in the MMO market.

  4. Could be on my shopping list by norttipertti · · Score: 2

    Game seems quite interesting. Somehow a bastard child of good old Paranoia and Scalzi's Shadow Brigades comes to mind.
    I guess I have to give it a whirl at some point.

    --
    Road to Hell is paved with frozen door-to-door salesmen.On weekends many of the younger demons go ice-skating down it
    1. Re:Could be on my shopping list by Mindcontrolled · · Score: 2, Funny

      I'd love to see a serious take on a computer-based implementation of Paranoia. Probably too unforgiving for a MMO to give it any chance. But as a Fallout-style single player game, it would rock - perhaps with a cooperative small-scale multiplayer option, so you can play with some "trusted" non-idiots, whom you can stab in the back, er... report to friend computer... in style. You would like it too, wouldn't you? Or are you a commie? Or even a mutant?

      --
      Ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant.
  5. Strangelove by mindbrane · · Score: 2, Funny
    >"How much would you use technology to change yourself if humanity faced extinction?"

    Well, if I could be even reasonably certain I could kill 'em all, then, really there's no limit I wouldn't go beyond.

    --
    ideopath @ play
  6. What? by plague911 · · Score: 2, Funny

    "transhumanism" I do not understand and nor do I care to. However for some reason I feel as if this game will involve fighting hordes of Tom Cruises and a John Travolta every now and then. The idea of this dose slightly intrigue me.

    1. Re:What? by dangitman · · Score: 2, Funny

      However for some reason I feel as if this game will involve fighting hordes of Tom Cruises and a John Travolta every now and then.

      And then, Xenu sues you for copyright infringement and you seek exile in Canada.

      --
      ... and then they built the supercollider.
  7. Greetings, Friend Citizen! What is your clearance? by E-Sabbath · · Score: 3, Informative

    Hm. Multiple clones. Universal surveilance. Questioning what it means to be alive and human in a world that values neither.
    I've been playing this for years! Except it was a bit more brightly colored. And had more Bouncy Bubble Beverage. (It's the Mandatory Thing, you know.)

    I'm so far behind the cutting edge I'm in front of it, apparently. Well...

    Friend Computer, how may I serve the Complex today?

  8. Transhuman Space, anybody? by socha23 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    So, it's sort of like Transhuman Space?

    Those books a pretty good read even if you don't plan on playing the game. And yes, you can play as an uplift or AI too.