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Post by opteronium on Sept 1, 2010 17:22:53 GMT 1
Indeed I agree that Mass Effect is a refreshing take on science fiction. And again, I have to agree that it indeed isn't hard sci-fi like Space Odysseys for example. I'd put it the same bin as these: Iain M. Banks Culture novels, Peter F. Hamilton's works like Fallen Dragon, Pandora's Star, Judas Unchained, Nights Dawn Triology, etc. Stephen Donaldson's The Gap Sequence Gary Gibson's Stealing Light and Walter Jon Williams' Dread Empire Fall though this one is quite loyal to starship warfare and sub-light space flight physics and biological problems. I really can't see Mass Effect working based on established facts. But its 2010 and it puts an interesting "what if" perspective on things we are relatively close to either confirm or dismiss scientifically. Should the science put up clear equations that prove that FTL is impossible and that quantum stuff works but is beyond us, then I think exactly as was mentioned, science fiction is going to go the fantasy fiction way on one hand, and very hard science fiction on the other hand (like building a ship that holds a few 100 people and sending them on a 500 year trip to some other star at sub FTL speeds). Certainly it is a very delicate time for science fiction... and Mass Effect's timing could not be better, even if it does summerize lots of other concepts and symbols. More to the point, I love Mass Effect so much that I am frustrated since its the kind of fiction I'd like to try my hand at, but that kind of gnaws on my conscious in a way. It certainly left a huge impression with me, I dare not touch a pen least I subconciously just copy it word for word, lol
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Post by Knightfall on Sept 1, 2010 20:59:20 GMT 1
The Mass Effect universe is great, indeed. The thing that frustrates ME is that they only have one writer making books for the series, and that's the Lead Writer for the game. But since he already has two games to work on, the drop in quality is noticeable. I wish they could get more writers to expand the universe and make cool stories somewhere out of the way of the main plot.
Despite all my rabble, I love these games. I really do. I am eagerly awaiting the third game to see how it all ends, and I even have a ME2 poster up on my wall. They've put a lot into this series, and it shows.
Well, heck, if it's the kind of fiction you'd like to try out, this is a fanfic website, buddy! Get a story out of your system. I find that the best remedy for finding your own way is to just write whatever is just burning to come out of you. Playing Mass Effect for the first time drove me absolutely insane, because I just wanted to write SOMETHING in that universe. I wrote A LOT. You feel a lot better afterward. You should give it a try. =D
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Post by ommadawn on Sept 2, 2010 4:27:02 GMT 1
I have to agree, Knightfall. There's so much potential for good stories in the ME universe, well outside the events covered by the two games so far. I could honestly see a few extra (decent) authors step up and make a good series of books that sold well and weren't total carp. If settings like Dragonlance and the Forgotten Realms can spawn literally dozens of books (admittedly of varying quality, again mostly down to the author of said book), then why not a vibrant SF setting like ME?
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Post by jklinders on Sept 2, 2010 14:10:55 GMT 1
Look at it from Bioware's perspective. They would have to allow outside writers access to their intellectual property in order for this to happen. I think they have plenty of good reason to not do that until at least Shepard's story is finished. If they are really cautious they might wait until they are not making any more games at all. Unlike Warcraft or Starcraft which see new games once a decade they have a tight production schedule and they probably do not want some hack writer screwing with their canon.
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Post by Knightfall on Sept 2, 2010 22:23:16 GMT 1
It's been my experience, though, that when you have a universe as vast and as untapped as Mass Effect's, then there the potential to make a story on the side that doesn't interfere with canon at all. There are mercs, there are colonists, bounty hunters, smugglers, honest folk, C-Sec: all of whom are still doing their jobs and going about their lives independently of the main storyline. All you'd have to do is just follow one of these stories; it doesn't have to be epic. You could fit volumes and volumes of stories into the Mass Effect universe and you wouldn't have to compromise the canon one bit.
You'd just need someone well-versed with the canon to make sure the authors don't mess things up.
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Post by jklinders on Sept 3, 2010 2:20:10 GMT 1
My big guess is they are trying to avoid any possible leak on ME3 and they want no canon conflict, even a tiny chance of one. Bioware will probably whore themselves off to every 2 bit writer after ME3 comes out, but not before. It's their baby.
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Post by Knightfall on Sept 4, 2010 1:56:31 GMT 1
Someone on reddit.com posted this as his favorite moment in ME1:
I was a fan of driving around on the moon and singing the "Whaler On The Moon" song fromm Futurama.
ಠ_ಠ.....
/looks for game
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Post by Mister Buch on Sept 4, 2010 13:05:31 GMT 1
Someone on reddit.com posted this as his favorite moment in ME1: I was a fan of driving around on the moon and singing the "Whaler On The Moon" song fromm Futurama.ಠ_ಠ..... /looks for game lol I may have done that a couple of times too. I was a fungineer.
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Post by madnesshero on Sept 17, 2010 17:32:06 GMT 1
One theme i think some what borrowed from 2001 was the thought that the cause and reason for our evolution was spurred by a force utterly beyond our understanding, this is one thing inME3 im not looking forward to: the explanation of the reapers motives. If its absent a lot of ppl will be angry/confused and might even go so far to call it a plot hole, ppl don't like being told they aren't smart enough to understand something,that's part of why 2001 wasn't very successful to start, it challenged its audience and most of them were found wanting. Sometimes a mystery should remain a mystery, it adds to the legend. BTW: Arthur C. Clarke's 2001 a space odyssey novel was good, Kubrick's 2001 is possibly the most brilliant film ever made. They were both created at the same time, but became very different entities. In this circumstance reading the book is in no way a substitute for seeing the film. I highly recommend seeing it ASAP, liking sci-fi but never having seen it is like loving art but never having seen the Mona Lisa
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Post by Mister Buch on Sept 18, 2010 23:53:02 GMT 1
I have a confession.
I found (the movie) 2001 extraordinarily boring and pretentious.
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Post by Battlechantress on Sept 19, 2010 3:06:29 GMT 1
When my mom tried to watch it ("2001"), she said the same thing. Come to think of it, one of my exes complained about it too. I've only ever *not* seen it because I had to drive back to my place (in another state) when it was playing at her house. I keep forgetting to put it in my Netflix queue.
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Post by Mister Buch on Sept 19, 2010 3:18:15 GMT 1
I was probably being too harsh on it. I dunno... it did get better once Hal was introduced.
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Post by jklinders on Sept 19, 2010 4:07:09 GMT 1
Kubric is just odd. I remember spending most of my time watching Dr. Strangelove just thinking WTF?? Never saw 2001. It is not on my to watch list. I know enough to get the references and that is all that matters. That way people do not give me strange looks for the great crime of not having seen a particular movie.
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Post by Mister Buch on Sept 19, 2010 12:43:24 GMT 1
Doctor Strangelove is another one I didn't get at all! I think Kubrick must just be too good for my philistine tastes.
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Post by Clint Johnston on Sept 19, 2010 18:25:37 GMT 1
I thought it was hilarious. Weird juxtaposition of fear and comedy, like someone who's just far enough over the edge that it's just too funny to be scared of anymore.
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