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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.'"

5 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 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.)

  2. 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!
  3. 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?