06-30-2014, 01:30 PM
Incompatible indeed and not just for the nitty gritty sci-fi of what is or isn't present. The overall tone between the two settings and community is as stark as day and night. Take just one aspect both settings treat radically differently: ascension.
Here, it's not only something that happens somewhat regularly, it's (rightfully) treated as a good thing. The ascendent's close friends would likely applaud and be happy for their now empowered peer. In EP not only is it something actively fought against in-setting, the sheer possibility of it is treated like the birth of the freakin' Anti-Christ!
Eclipse Phase can be fun in the right hands, but more often than not it's just depressing. It's the promise of a transhumanist future but with the all of the hopeful memes and amazing possibilities replaced or smothered under a shockingly bleak interpretation of mindkind's very soul and effective agency. An aspect that's mirrored by a large, but not unanimous, portion of it's player base.
The fact that Orion's Arm is significantly more advanced in technology as well as a more idealistic and optimistic setting, I think is actually quite natural.
Here, it's not only something that happens somewhat regularly, it's (rightfully) treated as a good thing. The ascendent's close friends would likely applaud and be happy for their now empowered peer. In EP not only is it something actively fought against in-setting, the sheer possibility of it is treated like the birth of the freakin' Anti-Christ!
Eclipse Phase can be fun in the right hands, but more often than not it's just depressing. It's the promise of a transhumanist future but with the all of the hopeful memes and amazing possibilities replaced or smothered under a shockingly bleak interpretation of mindkind's very soul and effective agency. An aspect that's mirrored by a large, but not unanimous, portion of it's player base.
The fact that Orion's Arm is significantly more advanced in technology as well as a more idealistic and optimistic setting, I think is actually quite natural.