Science Fiction as a whole is in a decline at the momment. Fantasy movies are all the rage right now, and I can't remember seeing a decent SciFi movie on the big screen, unless one counts comic book movies (Which I wouldnt). Fantasy books are occupying more and more space in the joint "Fantasy-SciFi" sections at bookstores.
Star Trek is the ultimate borometer for the genre and it has plumited into non existence in recent years. It seems like SciFi fans need to sit tight with Battle Star Galactica and wait out the drought.
Long range weapons are a scape goat. Fantasy RPGs have had long range magiks and cross bows for some time. The problem is the creative teams. Character driven science fiction which focuses on individuals and not space battles is possible but instead of looking to the galactic battles of star wars or star trek, one must recapture the flavor of mystery and personal struggles written by authors like Asimov.
Technology is a poor excuse aswell. The best Fantasy stories are consistant and well thought out in the limits of the magic, and politics of the world. However Science Fiction has lost the rigor in this area it once had. The "science" component of science fiction lies largely forgotten.
Still I am surprised no one has mentioned a few gems such as Vendetta Online. Nor has anyone mentioned Orson Scott Card's upcomming mmorpg, through eGenesis. (Nomatter how much I loathe the man personally, he is a great writer)
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Science Fiction as a whole is in a decline at the momment. Fantasy movies are all the rage right now, and I can't remember seeing a decent SciFi movie on the big screen, unless one counts comic book movies (Which I wouldnt). Fantasy books are occupying more and more space in the joint "Fantasy-SciFi" sections at bookstores. Star Trek is the ultimate borometer for the genre and it has plumited into non existence in recent years. It seems like SciFi fans need to sit tight with Battle Star Galactica and wait out the drought. Long range weapons are a scape goat. Fantasy RPGs have had long range magiks and cross bows for some time. The problem is the creative teams. Character driven science fiction which focuses on individuals and not space battles is possible but instead of looking to the galactic battles of star wars or star trek, one must recapture the flavor of mystery and personal struggles written by authors like Asimov. Technology is a poor excuse aswell. The best Fantasy stories are consistant and well thought out in the limits of the magic, and politics of the world. However Science Fiction has lost the rigor in this area it once had. The "science" component of science fiction lies largely forgotten. Still I am surprised no one has mentioned a few gems such as Vendetta Online. Nor has anyone mentioned Orson Scott Card's upcomming mmorpg, through eGenesis. (Nomatter how much I loathe the man personally, he is a great writer)