The plenty of in-group references that are scattered in are almost as good. An excerpt from the backstory:
A group of pro-AI researchers known as the Singularity Foundation (that would later join with other groups to form Firewall in the wake of the Fall) developed the first true seed AIs years before the Fall. Having been heavily involved in the creation of AI and AGIs for many years previously, thanks in large part to their open source AI framework software, the Singularity Foundation’s goal was to generate “friendly AI” by carefully designing AI goal systems.
That group sounds kinda familiar. I wonder if they might be inspired by some real-life organization?
ETA: Oh, and it gets better. Later on, they mention within the same sentence the “Lifeboat Institute” and the “Singularity Foundation” as two organizations that existed before the Singularity. Hmmmmmmmm...
Almost certainly not. After all, that’s not the goal. Edit: After 72 pages I retract my previous two statements.
Bought, downloaded, read intro. Basically it’s Shadowrun IN SPACE! and mixed with Paranoia. A good analogy would be that this tabletop RPG is to Transhumanism what I, Robot the movie is to the book.
In the default story (also known as “campaign setting”), every player character is a “sentinel,” an agent-on-call (or potential recruit) for a shadowy network known as “Firewall.” Firewall is dedicated to counteracting “existential risks”—threats to the existence of transhumanity. These risks can and do include biowar plagues, nanotech swarm outbreaks, nuclear proliferation, terrorists with WMDs, net-breaking computer attacks, rogue AIs, alien encounters, and so on. Firewall isn’t content to simply counteract these threats as they arise, of course, so characters may also be sent on information gathering missions or to put in place pre-emptive or failsafe measures. Characters may be tasked to investigate seemingly innocuous people and places (who turn out not to be), make deals with shady criminal networks (who turn out not to be trustworthy), or travel through a Pandora’s Gate wormhole to analyze the relics of some alien ruin (and see if the threat that killed them is still real). Sentinels are recruited from every faction of transhumanity; those who aren’t ideologically loyal to the cause are hired as mercenaries. These campaigns tend to mix a bit of mystery and investigation with erce bouts of action and combat, also stirring in a nice dose of awe and horror.
Eclipse Phase
Does it deserve a top level post?
I see it tries to push the right buttons, but does it contain any novel insights?
The plenty of in-group references that are scattered in are almost as good. An excerpt from the backstory:
That group sounds kinda familiar. I wonder if they might be inspired by some real-life organization?
ETA: Oh, and it gets better. Later on, they mention within the same sentence the “Lifeboat Institute” and the “Singularity Foundation” as two organizations that existed before the Singularity. Hmmmmmmmm...
Almost certainly not. After all, that’s not the goal. Edit: After 72 pages I retract my previous two statements.
Bought, downloaded, read intro. Basically it’s Shadowrun IN SPACE! and mixed with Paranoia. A good analogy would be that this tabletop RPG is to Transhumanism what I, Robot the movie is to the book.
Not really related to rationality, so no top-post if you ask me, but it’s a very good setting and an excellent product.