Magic?

No, no magic because the game is based on science, magic would be sort of off topic for starbound.

 

all i was thinking when i read the topic

 

Who says magic in starbound has to be 'magical'? it could be something similar to Biotics in Mass Effect. Being able to combust things or use telekinesis and stasis abilities, stuff like that would fit right into starbound as the 'magic' system.

 

Well put! I think you've nutshell'd the thread, although there will still be plenty of people beating the "NO MAGIC, SCIENCE" horse to death.

I think if people want the tone of sorcery, they're going to have to tolerate the biological/mechanical equivalents, but if they want the diverse range of possibilities in those kinds of systems, Starbound will have an easy time satisfying that. The variety of equipment, behaviors, and effects is certainly going to be something to sink your teeth into regardless of what you want to call it.

 

What about the Q?

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
~Arthur C. Clark

 

Why not mathmagical? OwO

 

Almost anything is possible with science. But I don't think calling something magic would fit into the science-fantasy theme of Starbound very well.

 

I originally posted this in another thread. I then found this one with a lot more people taking notice of it.

With science, there are limitless possibilities and potential to discover all kinds of things. Perhaps a device would be invented that helps in the discovery of a new dimension that does in fact, have magic. Maybe a race in the universe stumbles onto, and proceeds down, the road of magic before science. An energy could be discovered that allows the manipulation of the elements through the mind when one learns how to use the energy. There are limitless possibilities. Even ones that could be explained through science. However, I do not know if it would then become science instead of magic.

I am sure the people who like magic do play fantasy games. They are bringing the subject up here in the Starbound forums because it is the game that they are currently interested in. There is no harm in them attempting to come up with ways they think could make it even more fun. I am pretty sure the majority of people on the forums are excited and love Starbound regardless of whether some of the things they would like to see are added or not. The devs seem to know what they are doing and will very likely make great and sound choices regarding the game.

The best ideas that lead to the best outcomes are reached by going through many ideas that are improved upon over and over again. The more individuals you have doing this and tossing them back and forth between another the better. That is how I feel. I hope many many more join the community and offer their ideas and opinions.

P.S. Sorry for the two posts so close together.

 

Agreed. I don't know who originally said it, but sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

Wanna fly? Here are some robotic wings and a jetpack; take your pick. Wanna shoot flames? Here's a flamethrower. The only real difference, gameplay wise, is the difference between holding a weapon in your hand and just holding your hand out.

Edit: and just to show you how awesome science is, here's a Ruben's Tube:

 

So you have a machine that modifies data around you and forces atoms to bond through quantum mechanics, thus "summoning" a 4-eyed bunny to fight a bat from out of thin air. Bam, explained. Some people and their closed minds... No imagination.

 

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic - Arthur C. Clarke

I didn't see that someone earlier had already posted this quote. It is entirely true from a game point of view. What really is the difference between teleportation technology and magic? How is a fireball cast by a wizard better or worse than a fire bomb or flamethrower?

 

lol, wasn't this thread dead?
anyway... good thing 'bout science is that everything is possible!
for those unsatisfied with the "build a device to do that" way of solving things, or even with the "science we don't know is magic" explanation, eat this:
science allows for REAL PURE magic to exist!
imagine someone got genetically modified to a certain level, it's neurons can vibrate subatomic particles of it's own body, generating localized heat and thus, a FIREBALL!!!
nothing is impossible, just get imaginative and you can have magic in a sci-fi game
(just don't call it "magic", cause it really kills the feelling)

 

No, thank you for repeating it. I was struggling to remember who said it, and it bears repeating.

 

The word magic seems to upset quite a lot of individuals. I wonder why.

Also, I will eat that...and I will also eat you. *w*

 

Because, by definition, it's technology we don't know... in a sci-fi universe, we know it

(except if you're a glitch barbarian, then you can call it magic )

also, i taste awesome with cranberry sauce!

 

I personally dont find anything wrong with magic. Especially when its explained. For example, I invented something in my universe called a Moornian Pot. This is a runed pot that can fly using antigravity. It also uses lasers to fire from the runing at suspicious individuals. Why did I make a pot that can fly and do that? Mostly to mess with Link.

 

I was referring to others being upset by the term outside of these forums. In almost any setting or on any topic I run into others that get upset, even offended; by the term magic. I wonder what magic did to them.

Not very keen on cranberry sauce. How does d'jion mustard go with you?

 

Magic is a term used for supernatural powers that supposedly exist outside of physical laws, which is why it doesn't fit science fiction. Any sufficiently advanced technology would be considered magical to a more primitive race, but it would still be science. The "Q" from Star Trek weren't wizards, they were a race that had evolved to the point that they could manipulate physics with their mental abilities. They didn't call on a higher power, they weren't mystical and they weren't gods; they were simply aliens. The Jedi from Star Wars were like Samurai, but they believed their powers came from forces that could be understood and quantified. Hence Midi-chlorians and an intellectual study of the Force. It was even called the Force, because it acted like an addition to the Four Forces in physics. There are real forces in physics that inspired the idea. Science is also much cooler than superstition from the Dark Ages.

 

some people are too attached to definitions and nomenclatures...
everything that one does, and the other cannot possibly explain, indeed is magic... heck! even nowadays, some physics theories are magic! xD (edited last part 'cause i felt it might've been ofensive to some1... )

and you should try adding some honey with your mustard, for some delicious sweet-sour taste!

 

There are no scientific theories I would consider magic. As long as something can be understood and demonstrated empirically it's science. The problem with the term "magic" is that during the Enlightenment, science debunked the archaic beliefs that had stagnated our technological development for thousands of years. It's basically the antithesis of technology.