Jun 8, 2015, 8:08 PM

I use 'steampunk' the same way I use 'high fantasy' or 'low fantasy' or 'gritty fantasy' or 'soft sci-fi' or 'hard sci-fi' or 'space opera'. None of these things are in a Proper Dictionary of Gaming Terms that I'm aware of out there. When I say 'high fantasy' or 'epic high fantasy', people can get a pretty good idea of what I'm talking about. It's the same thing with 'Steampunk' -- it does come with a generally known (if at least vaguely) sort of feel/thing to it.

I am not trying to define a genre or tell anyone how to use a word or anything else: I'm trying to communicate a generality. There are times where semantics get in the way of communication. I understand that it's good to have clarity and a shared understanding, but there is such a thing as taking that too far.

In other words, you assholes (I say it lovingly) knew what I meant. You still know what I meant. That is, in a practical sense, what matters. I qualify my Steampunk with the 'and' because there are elements that nobody generally, when they think of Steampunk, thinks it would include. Like elves and dwarves. Seriously. It might be a genre or might not be, might be a sub-genre, it doesn't matter how it's classified when we all understand in a general sense (and a general sense is, going back to the particular instance that started the discussion, all that was needed) what we're talking about.

Steampunk, to me: the game is set in Victorian London with SCIENCE! and the struggle between Order (Reason, Technology) and Chaos (Faith, Magic, Intuition). There are flying ships that are powered by steam, and all sorts of brand new technological marvels that are pushing progress forward at all costs. People wear pretty dresses and roll their eyes when Uncle Eddie arrives via jet-pack instead of by carriage to the party.

ETA: Fixed a few words that were wrong. Words are fucking hard. 😞