I’m not sure, current or very-near-future inspired tech + Current or near future (higher because it’s rising) inequality + Punk, as in rebellious, anti-authoritarian, DIY spirit…
As I said in another comment, I don’t know exactly how to define it, or even if it should have a definition so strict as to define the exact time, could be more or less futuristic. But I think I could do the opposite, I’d know if something is STEAMpunk when I see it.
I think it’s worth exploring; the culture is more important than the tech. What are the societal systems that are driving resistance, how is access to STEAM distributed, how does this affect the lives of ‘normal’ people.
The main reason the the ‘punk’ subgenres coexist is that their technologies form a feedback loop with their cultures which makes them different and allows for different stories. What are the impacts of STEAM on society and how is this different to Cyberpunk with modern tech?
Aesthetic is also important because it captures the imagination and gives the genre staying power. There’s a reason that Cyberpunk and Steampunk are the most popular, while Biopunk hasn’t had the same impact.
What would be punk about it?
Steampunk is Steam (victorian inspired tech) + Punk (victorian inspired inequality)
Cyberpunk is Cyber (80s inspired tech) + Punk (80s inspired inequality)
Bethesda tried to market Starfield as NASApunk, no idea what that was supposed to mean.
Unfortunately for Bethesda these are narrative subgenres as well as aesthetic ones, and modern Bethesda can’t write.
rebellion + modern day space navigation?
I’m not sure, current or very-near-future inspired tech + Current or near future (higher because it’s rising) inequality + Punk, as in rebellious, anti-authoritarian, DIY spirit…
As I said in another comment, I don’t know exactly how to define it, or even if it should have a definition so strict as to define the exact time, could be more or less futuristic. But I think I could do the opposite, I’d know if something is STEAMpunk when I see it.
I think it’s worth exploring; the culture is more important than the tech. What are the societal systems that are driving resistance, how is access to STEAM distributed, how does this affect the lives of ‘normal’ people.
The main reason the the ‘punk’ subgenres coexist is that their technologies form a feedback loop with their cultures which makes them different and allows for different stories. What are the impacts of STEAM on society and how is this different to Cyberpunk with modern tech?
Aesthetic is also important because it captures the imagination and gives the genre staying power. There’s a reason that Cyberpunk and Steampunk are the most popular, while Biopunk hasn’t had the same impact.