Fantasy or Sci Fi?

[nuqneh1]

Science Fiction

Fantasy always seemed like it was too easy to create Deus Ex Machinas. You only have to say four words to solve any plot hole.

"A wizard did it."

Plus Heinlein and Doctor Who are both awesome.

 

[Vault101]

As far as books go, I prefer both, though not at the same time, and my mood shifts back and forth a couple times over the course of a year. Right now I'm reading fantasy, but eventually the sci-fi itch will return and I'll shift my focus back that way.

Though to be honest, a few times I thought I was "done" with fantasy, as my patience for it has been getting increasingly thin. But right now it's as strong as ever. It should be said though, that Lord of the Rings bored the shit out of me so thoroughly that I couldn't get past Tom Bombadil. I'm told it gets better, and that he's the worst part of the series, and that I could skip him entirely without missing anything, but I just can't get past it.

Video games are pretty evenly split as well.


As far as movies go, I definitely prefer science fiction. Fantasy movies just end up coming off as extremely corny.

As far as lord of the rings go's I agree, I read the first book but I can't even remember if I fully read the seocond one (thats saying somthing) Its not the ideas behined the books that are bad its just the way they are written.

When I think about it story wise I actually prefer dragon age origins to lord of the rings when it comes to high fantasy (I'm sure that would make some peopele foam at the mouth) thats probebly the only tolken-like story Ive ever found interesting

 

[TehCookie]

I love supernatural the most, so I'd have to go with fantasy. Sci-fi is good, but I hate the space wars, which is what quite a few are about. Then again I don't like the high fantasy either, since it's been done to death, but interesting characters can make up for it.

 

[gl1koz3]

Sci-Fi. Fantasy dragons suck. Same as elves.

I'd rather watch a black hole eat a Sun for an eternity.

 

[Celtic_Kerr]

From fantasy i prefer worlds were magic is kept to minimum and not every teen age girl can cast a fireball, mages are considered more of a myth than fact, and if one would openly practice their arts they would be deemed as an abomination. Something along the Conan's setting, WoD or Call of Cthulhu.

Either this, or a world where very low level magic is very common, and really good mages are very rare. I don't like these Stories where there are whole covens of mages that can summon fire balls the size of castles. You'd think the world would be fucked.

Same goes with sci-fi. I prefer low-tech settings like cyberpunk/steampunk (yes steampunk is sci-fi, read Jules Verne). Generally space travel still being born without trans-galactic trips, high-tech weapons as prototypes, more focused on the social aspects of humanity getting implant-crazy than fighting with aliens.

This reminds me of the Gor series. Basically the inhabitants of the planet Gor are not allowed any technology greater than medieval-era weaponry, or else they get destroyed by the God-beings of the planet (the only race allowed technology). It's interesting actually, but a good setting. I can't stand the star wars setting in books where everyone can do damned near anything with technology.

 

[John the Gamer]

I'd like conquering the universe with a massive high-tech spacefleet, but I wouldn't do so without my dragon or awe-inspiring armor. I like both, but not everything about them 'ya know?

 

[Keava]

This reminds me of the Gor series. Basically the inhabitants of the planet Gor are not allowed any technology greater than medieval-era weaponry, or else they get destroyed by the God-beings of the planet (the only race allowed technology). It's interesting actually, but a good setting. I can't stand the star wars setting in books where everyone can do damned near anything with technology.

Oh Gor. You forgot to mention that it's also very erotic themed setting that spawned countless adult roleplay gorean communities all over the internet.
Then again, im guilty of actually liking Ann's Rice Sleeping Beauty series which are pretty heavy on BDSM theme.

 

[Celtic_Kerr]

This reminds me of the Gor series. Basically the inhabitants of the planet Gor are not allowed any technology greater than medieval-era weaponry, or else they get destroyed by the God-beings of the planet (the only race allowed technology). It's interesting actually, but a good setting. I can't stand the star wars setting in books where everyone can do damned near anything with technology.

Oh Gor. You forgot to mention that it's also very erotic themed setting that spawned countless adult roleplay gorean communities all over the internet.
Then again, im guilty of actually liking Ann's Rice Sleeping Beauty series which are pretty heavy on BDSM theme.

I shall have to read this Sleeping Beauty series. I love authors that implement these things into their novels. There is no "Guilty" pleasure in reading them really.

Don't forget that John Norman(forgot real name)was a philosopher with ideas that men had a natural tendency towards being dominant and women were naturally submissive creatures. He never said women SHOULD be submissive but that they were simply more prone to being so.

Unfortunately he had these thoughts right when the feminists started to stand up and ask for equal rights, so his works were discredited or ignored. He wrote the Gor series instead and worked hil philosophy into a sci-fi/fantasy series.

 

[Toaster Hunter]

Depends on my mood that day. Do I want to crush my enemies with an axe or a laser rifle? Choices, choices

 

[Geekosaurus]

It seems like this could have been a poll. Either way; sci-fi.

 

[Koroviev]

Science fiction, though to be fair, I haven't delved too deep into the fantasy genre.

 

[supermariner]

Films - Sci-fi
Games- fantasy

ciao (Y)

 

[GonzoGamer]

Don't make me pick. I like them both equally. Which, naturally, makes Warhammer 40,000 my favorite setting ever.

The old Phantasy Star games (1-4) came close.
40K is a good example of successful mixing. I've been a big space ork fan since I picked up their first box set: Space Ork Raiders.

I have to say though, I prefer sci fi when it comes to gaming and I prefer fantasy when it comes to literature. There are only a few fantasy games I really really like: Oblivion, Baldur's Gate, God of War. And there are only a few Sci Fi authors I follow: Robert Rankin, RA Wilson, Jordan Schneider (his first book is coming out soon but he's one to watch).

 

[Addendum_Forthcoming]

I prefer fantasy settings in P&P ....

Where else but D&D can I have an Elven druid who spends most of her time as a dire wolf pretending like she can't understand humanoid languages whilst wildshaped and spending half the time chewing up people's boots and bedrolls for fun?

That being said the new Rogue Trader looks to be a bucket of fun and I want to GM it soon.

And I love Star Trek ... Sci fi tv and movies .... I've sequentially watched every Star trek (barring the non-existent new one) movie, marathon style, 37 times.


Yes, I can quote them from heart. ^_^