Ummm.... Farscape?

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Well, there are some things that "hamper" my fun with series, when they ignore or don´t know things about the real life physics.

At least in the German Translation of Starwars IV, the Millenium Falcon is described at beeing able to fly at light speed, or maybe double or something like that. This might sound nice to anyone who doesn`t know much about these things, but to a "nitpicker" like me, it sounds terrible. Even if I can accept it.
(As an Explaination: I have no problems with people & series claiming "faster than light" speed, but if you do, you should use scales that lead to "reasonable" results. if you could fly twice as fast as light (meaning 600.000 km/sec), you still need more than 2 years to the next star from here...)
These are problems that could have been solved with some research on the matter.

Things like shrinking objects or persons - well, maybe, the psionc/magic component is a part of this, but I can`t say much about it, since I don`t know the episode (it hasn`t aired in Germany yet...)

Mustrum Ridcully

 

[Voneth]

Well, there are some things that "hamper" my fun with series, when they ignore or don´t know things about the real life physics.

Things like shrinking objects or persons - well, maybe, the psionc/magic component is a part of this, but I can`t say much about it, since I don`t know the episode (it hasn`t aired in Germany yet...)

Mustrum Ridcully

Real Life Physics …. Let see.

1500s
“The world isn’t flat?”

1600s
“The world doesn’t circle the sun?”

1800s
“The Sun isn’t the center of the Universe?”

1900s
“We aren’t looking at stars as they are, but how they were centuries ago?”

The most interesting thing about a lot of physics these days is that most of it is theory, not fact. The main reason is that without proper observation of the actual elements in tiny or vast distances we deduce what is happening by watching the effects of the nearby elements we can see and account for. The difference is that a theory has the potential to be proven wrong because it has not been proven to be an irrefutable fact – at least from our perspective.

Sound does not exist in space for humans. But perhaps some weird species can sense the movement of the sparse particles and energies out in space and covert them to “sound” for them.

On a similar note in my childhood, I never assumed the “space engine” sounds in movies was really the exterior noise of the vessel. I had thought it was the INTERIOR noise the pilot heard as he piloted the craft. Of course, I never thought that such a ruckus would be highly distracting to the pilot.

 

[Furn_Darkside]

Out of curiosity- is anyone not going to buy Farscape due to the delays or lack of communication?

I know two of my players are biting at the chomp to purchase the book. They did not care for the delays, but they once they understood the cause.. they were ok.

As for the lack of communication- it would be nice, but it does not harm you not to know what is going on.

FD

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

2Voneth:
I have no real problem when they`re showing things that dont`t seem to work in real-life.
(Sound in Space - I like your "interpretation", since I somethings thought about using it myself. Anyway, even without it, I think it is okay, because you need the sound in space for the drama )

But using scienctific explaination without thought of the actual meaning (what would it mean if the Milleniums Top Speed was double lightspeed?), that hurts...

Another point against Startrek voyager, I think. Techbabble Techbabble Techbabble...
(Oh, and they had an episode where they also made some "shrinking". It was fun, but the sciencetific interpretation was mostly terrible...)

Mustrum Ridcully

 

[Bamphalas]

Science FICTION not Science PAPER

...Farscape I'll tolerate (mainly because the cast of characetrs is so entertaining) but in general if something is going to bill itself as Science Fiction it should have a basic respect for current scientific understanding and scientific theories... And yes, that is more restrictive of the writers imagination; it is called being disciplined and is something that many shows (and Games!) could do with learning...

The writers acknowledged current scientific understanding. Through the character of Sikozu, they explained a more contemporary view of the incident. She was very adamant that the situation is impossible. Through Rygel, they put it into a true perspective. Nothing can be truely defined impossible, rather it is as yet not understood.

Old science fiction showed images of our computers being humongous with all manner of dials, switches and meters. It was completely beyond their understanding that we could possibly have machines 100-1000x more powerful with high-end digital displays and weighing less than 5lbs.
Things that are considered mundane scientific fact today was considered magic or simply impossible not too long ago.

Writers are creating Science FICTION. They shouldn't have to explain exactly why their concept works, and they should never have to date their stories in such a way as to make their concepts seem almost laughable ten years later.

It is reasonable to assume and even accept that science in the future will feature new discoveries and concepts that were undreamed of in our current mindset. It is also understood that it is quite possible that what we understand as physics FACT here on Earth may or may not be true elswhere in the Universe. A writer that creates something taking place in such an alien region or distant time and just uses current technology for his basis isn't disciplined, he's limited and possibly uncreative.

Of course, if you are writing science fiction in a contemporary setting, current technology SHOULD be heavily considered.

Out of curiosity- is anyone not going to buy Farscape due to the delays or lack of communication?

I will be buying it through a local shop as soon as I can. Delays while it is irritating, will not stop me from purchasing what I know will be the best interpretation of Farscape available anywhere. As for the lack of communication, I just think someone forgot to feed their webhead. He must be a shriveled up mummy at the keyboard.

 

[Psychotic Dreamer]

I'll end up buying the game if I happen to have the spare cash, but I'm not likely to run out of my way and get it at this point. Partially due to the delays and lack of communication and partially because the people I knew who were interested in playing, no longer are.

 

[Voneth]

Another point against Startrek voyager, I think. Techbabble Techbabble Techbabble...
(Oh, and they had an episode where they also made some "shrinking". It was fun, but the sciencetific interpretation was mostly terrible...)

Mustrum Ridcully

LOL! What was the name of the Farscape episode that Ben Browder wrote! He had Chiana at one point saying ...
"I don't understand why this won't work. I am sure there is some technobabb--" and then the Crichton character inturrupts her.

I think sometimes people forget that part of Farscapes charm is that it is ballys enought to poke fun AT scifi TV. The RPG will problably the only game where quoting Star War, Star Trek and Monty Python will be cosidered in game conversation, if you happen to be playing a human.

My only fear has been that the longer Johhny boy stays out there in the Tormented Space and Uncharted Territories, his scifi references are going to get dated.

 

[Vaxalon]

The RPG will problably the only game where quoting Star War, Star Trek and Monty Python will be cosidered in game conversation, if you happen to be playing a human.

Heck, I'll give experience points for it.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Do you know when Crichton started from Earth? If it was late enough (say, 7 years after the first episode was shown ), then he can reference any movie or series that is shown while new Farscape episodes are make.

Mustrum Ridcully

 

[Voneth]

waahhhooo!

http://www.rpg.net/news+reviews/reviews/rev_6915.html