Exile Game Studio

Jack Nevada

When you whip up a cool new toy from Atlantis, how do you think that it works? Is it magic, or is it something that works in a way that people just don't understand yet?
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Mick Red · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 5:36 am Post subject:

I run with the latter Smile

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Nestor · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 5:56 am Post subject:

I tend to follow Clarke's Law in matters like these.

Smile

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JohnK · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 6:02 am Post subject:

Hullo, Jack,

I tend to follow the Clarke's Law philosophy on this myself, same as Nestor, but I do think of the Atlantean artifacts and stuff as being technology, rather than magic, although there are some truly interesting ones that could be considered "magic" in some ways.
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Rev · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 8:22 am Post subject:

I go with the Stargate method looks like magic but is advanced tech

Imajica · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:07 pm Post subject:

"Any technology distinguishable from magic isn't sufficiently advanced"

Can't remember where I came across that one (it's someone's sig) but it now adorns my monitor at work.
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Nestor · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:26 pm Post subject:

The Hooded Claw · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:41 pm Post subject:

I am torn on this myself. I think having magic as highly advanced tech adds an element of mystery to a game, though it can also start to pull some of the wonder out of its too heavily reinforced or too blatantly cast as such. This is the sort of choice that I think is best kept behind the scenes and left as a mystery to the players.

It also does not exist in a vacuum. If that Atlantean magic stone is actually some sort of advanced tech, then what is going on when the Atleantean preistess heals you by laying on hands. This would likely be some sort of psychic healing or some such - basically scientific magic.

I suppose there is room for both in a game. Atlantean magic is technology while there is true magic floating around out there too.
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Imajica · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:58 pm Post subject:

Trace · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 7:07 pm Post subject:

If people don't understand the tech and science behind it, it is just as good as calling it magic.
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madwabbit · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 7:47 am Post subject:

Nestor · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 10:48 am Post subject:

madwabbit · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 10:56 am Post subject:

Nestor · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 11:05 am Post subject:

Andronicus · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:02 pm Post subject:

Well, pulling from Lovecraft we could say the Atlanteans were like the Mi-Go in the respect they drew no great difference between magic and science and studied both equally.

Science is generally preferred as an explanations for Atlantean goodies, primarily because it makes a better cautionary tale. If they are shown as blowing themselves up with atomic bombs, it's more meaningful than if they did some weird hoodoo.

I also prefer tech, because scientifically inclined characters will want to tinker with it. Mad Scientist anyone....?