Steampunk is a subgenre of fantasy and speculative fiction which came into prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. The term denotes works set in an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century, and often set in Victorian era England—but with prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy, such as fictional technological inventions like those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, or real technological developments like the computer occurring at an earlier date. Other examples of steampunk contain alternate history-style presentations of "the path not taken" of such technology as dirigibles or analog computers; these frequently are presented in an idealized light, or a presumption of functionality. Steampunk was a steampunk/fantasy comic book series by artist Chris Bachalo and writer Joe Kelly, published by Wildstorm Comics Cliffhanger imprint. ... For other definitions of fantasy see fantasy (psychology). ... Speculative fiction - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... A steam engine is a heat engine that makes use of the potential energy that exists as pressure in steam, converting it to mechanical work. ... The Victorian era of the United Kingdom marked the height of the British Industrial Revolution and the apex of the British Empire. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... Science fiction is a form of speculative fiction principally dealing with the impact of imagined science and technology, or both, upon society and persons as individuals. ... For other uses, see Fantasy (disambiguation). ... Herbert George Wells (September 21, 1866 – August 13, 1946), better known as H. G. Wells, was an English writer best known for such science fiction novels as The Time Machine, The War of the Worlds, The Invisible Man, The First Men in the Moon and The Island of Doctor Moreau. ... This article is about the French author. ... This article is about the machine. ... Alternative history or alternate history can be: A History told from an alternative viewpoint, rather than from the view of imperialist, conqueror, or explorer. ... Dirigible can refer to : an airship -- a lighter-than-air aircraft that can be steered and propelled through the air. ... An analog computer (American English) or analogue computer (British English) is a form of computer using electronic or mechanical phenomena to model the problem being solved by using one kind of physical quantity to represent another. ...

Steampunk is often associated with cyberpunk and shares a similar fanbase and theme of rebellion, but developed as a separate movement (though both have considerable influence on each other). Apart from time period and level of technological development, the main difference between cyberpunk and steampunk is that steampunk settings usually tend to be less obviously dystopian than cyberpunk, or lack dystopian elements entirely. Berlins Sony Center reflects the global reach of a Japanese corporation. ... This article is about the philosophical concept and literary form. ...

Origin

Although many works now considered seminal to the genre were published in the 1960s and 1970s, the term steampunk originated in the late 1980s as a tongue in cheek variant of cyberpunk. It seems to have been coined by the science fiction author K. W. Jeter, who was trying to find a general term for works by Tim Powers (author of The Anubis Gates, 1983), James Blaylock (Homunculus, 1986) and himself (Morlock Night, 1979 and Infernal Devices, 1987) which took place in a Victorian setting and imitated conventions of actual Victorian speculative fiction such as H. G. Wells's The Time Machine. In a letter to the science fiction magazine Locus, printed in the April 1987 issue, Jeter wrote: Look up Tongue-in-cheek in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Berlins Sony Center reflects the global reach of a Japanese corporation. ... Kevin Wayne Jeter (born 1950) is an American science fiction and horror author known for his literary writing style, dark themes, and paranoid, unsympathetic characters. ... Tim Powers at the Israeli ICon 2005 SF&F Convention Timothy Thomas Powers (born February 29, 1952) is an American science fiction and fantasy author. ... The Anubis Gates (1983) is a time travel fantasy novel by Tim Powers. ... James P. Blaylock (born September 20, 1950) is an American fantasy author. ... George, the son of a Victorian genius, inherits his fathers watchmaking shop and soon discovers his fathers work was not limited to watch mechanics. ... Herbert George Wells (September 21, 1866 – August 13, 1946), better known as H. G. Wells, was an English writer best known for such science fiction novels as The Time Machine, The War of the Worlds, The Invisible Man, The First Men in the Moon and The Island of Doctor Moreau. ... The Time Machine is a novel by H. G. Wells, first published in 1895, later made into two films of the same title. ... Locus Magazine is subtitled The Magazine Of The Science Fiction & Fantasy Field. It reports on the science fiction writing industry, including comprehensive listings of new books published in the field. ...

Some prototypical steampunk stories were essentially cyberpunk tales that were set in the past, using steam-era technology rather than the ubiquitous cybernetics of cyberpunk but maintaining those stories' "punkish" attitudes towards authority figures and human nature. Originally, like cyberpunk, steampunk was often dystopian, sometimes with noir and pulp fiction themes as in cyberpunk. As the genre developed, it came to adopt more of the broadly appealing utopian sensibilities of Victorian scientific romances. For other uses, see Prototype (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Steam (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Cybernetics (disambiguation). ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... For other uses, see Human nature (disambiguation). ... Two silhouetted figures in The Big Combo (1955). ... This article is about inexpensive fiction magazines. ... For other uses, see Utopia (disambiguation). ... Scientific romance is an archaic name for what is now known as the Science Fiction genre. ...

Steampunk fiction focuses more intently on real, theoretical or cinematic Victorian-era technology, including steam engines, clockwork devices, and difference engines. While much of steampunk is set in Victorian-era settings, the genre has expanded into medieval settings and often delves into the realms of horror and fantasy. Various secret societies and conspiracy theories are often featured, and some steampunk includes significant fantasy elements. There are frequently Lovecraftian, occult and Gothic horror influences as well. // The term steam engine may also refer to an entire railroad steam locomotive. ... Gear with escapment mechanism For other uses, see Clockwork (disambiguation). ... Part of Babbages Difference engine, assembled after his death by Babbages son, using parts found in his laboratory. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times. ... “Horror story” redirects here. ... For the Europe album, see Secret Society (Europe album). ... For other uses, see Conspiracy theory (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Fantasy (disambiguation). ... This article is about the author. ... For other uses, see Occult (disambiguation). ... The gothic novel is an English literary genre, which can be said to have been born with The Castle of Otranto (1764) by Horace Walpole. ...

Influences

Steampunk was influenced by, and often adopts the style of the scientific romances of the 19th century, by Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, Mark Twain, and Mary Shelley.^[2][3] Scientific romance is an archaic name for what is now known as the Science Fiction genre. ... This article is about the French author. ... H. G. Wells at the door of his house at Sandgate Herbert George Wells (September 21, 1866 - August 13, 1946) was an English writer best known for his science fiction novels such as The War of the Worlds and The Time Machine. ... Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910),[1] better known by the pen name Mark Twain, was an American humanist,[2] humorist, satirist, lecturer and writer. ... Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (née Godwin) (30 August 1797 – 1 February 1851) was an English romantic/gothic novelist and the author of Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus. ...

A rather dystopian British alternate history featuring steam-based technology may be found in Keith Roberts' 1968 novel Pavane^{[citation needed]} Alternative history or alternate history can be: A History told from an alternative viewpoint, rather than from the view of imperialist, conqueror, or explorer. ... For the former head of the Grenadian security forces, see Keith Roberts (Grenada). ... Pavane by Keith Roberts is an alternate history science fiction novel first published by Rupert Hart-Davis Ltd in 1968. ...

Harry Harrison's 1972 novel A Transatlantic Tunnel, Hurrah!, which features an alternate history where the US is still a British colony and nuclear powered steam locomotives run under the oceans, is also an early example.^{[citation needed]} At the 63rd World Science Fiction Convention in Glasgow, August 2005 Harry Harrison (born Henry Maxwell Dempsey, March 12, 1925 in Stamford, Connecticut) is an American science fiction author who has lived in many parts of the world including Mexico, England, Denmark and Italy. ... Tunnel Through the Deeps (also published as A Transatlantic Tunnel, Hurrah!) is a 1972 science fiction novel by Harry Harrison. ...

Science fiction and fantasy author Michael Moorcock made several early contributions to the genre. The most noteworthy of these are his The Warlord of the Air and sequels (collectively republished as A Nomad of the Time Streams).^[4] Moorcock's works were among the earliest to re-mold Edwardian and Victorian adventure fiction within an ironic futuristic framework, and had a strong influence on the later absorption of fantasy elements into the genre. Michael John Moorcock (born December 18, 1939, in London, England) is a prolific English writer primarily of science fiction and fantasy who has also published a number of literary novels. ... The Warlord of the Air is a 1971 British alternate history science fiction novel written by Michael Moorcock. ...

Sherlock Holmes' War of the Worlds by Manly Wade Wellman and Wade Wellman,^{[citation needed]} published in 1975 as a novel but previously published as a series of magazine stories, places Arthur Conan Doyle's characters Sherlock Holmes and Professor Challenger (who never met in any of Doyle's works) into the events depicted in H.G. Wells's 1897 novel The War of the Worlds, depicting an invasion of London by Martians. Sherlock Holmes War of the Worlds is a sub-sequel to The War of the Worlds, written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. ... Manly Wade Wellman (May 21, 1903 - April 5, 1986) was an American writer of fiction and non-fiction. ... Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle, DL (22 May 1859 – 7 July 1930) was a Scottish author most noted for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes, which are generally considered a major innovation in the field of crime fiction, and for the adventures of Professor Challenger. ... This article is about Arthur Conan Doyles fictional detective. ... Professor Challenger (sitting) as illustrated by Harry Rountree in Conan Arthur Doyles short story The Poison Belt in Strand Magazine. ... H. G. Wells at the door of his house at Sandgate Herbert George Wells (September 21, 1866 - August 13, 1946) was an English writer best known for his science fiction novels such as The War of the Worlds and The Time Machine. ... The War of the Worlds (1898), by H. G. Wells, is an early science fiction novel which describes an invasion of England by aliens from Mars. ... The name Martian is given to the hypothetical native inhabitants of the planet Mars. ...

Aside from the fact that he coined the term, K.W. Jeter's 1979 novel Morlock Night(a continuation of Wells's The Time Machine) is cited by most as establishing the genre.^{[citation needed]} However, this novel was preceded by James Blaylock's "The Ape-Box Affair" a decidedly Steampunk story,^{[citation needed]} which appeared in a 1978 edition of Unearth Magazine. Kevin Wayne Jeter (born 1950) is an American science fiction author known for his literary writing style, dark themes, and paranoid, unsympathetic characters. ... The Time Machine is a novel by H. G. Wells, first published in 1895, later made into two films of the same title. ... James P. Blaylock (born September 20, 1950) is an American fantasy author. ...

Recent steampunk

Steamboy, an example of steampunk anime.

William Gibson and Bruce Sterling's 1990 novel The Difference Engine^[5] is often credited with bringing widespread awareness of the genre among science fiction fans (although, as mentioned above, the term was coined by Jeter in 1987.^[6]) This novel applies the principles of Gibson and Sterling's cyberpunk writings to an alternate Victorian era where Charles Babbage's proposed steam-powered mechanical computer, which he called a difference engine (a later, more general-purpose version was known as an analytical engine), was actually built, and led to the dawn of the information age more than a century "ahead of schedule". File links The following pages link to this file: Steamboy Categories: Fair use posters ... File links The following pages link to this file: Steamboy Categories: Fair use posters ... Steamboy ) is a Japanese anime film, produced by Sunrise, and directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, his second major anime release, following Akira. ... Animé redirects here. ... For other persons named William Gibson, see William Gibson (disambiguation). ... For other persons named Bruce Sterling, see Bruce Sterling (disambiguation). ... The Difference Engine is an alternate history novel by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling. ... Berlins Sony Center reflects the global reach of a Japanese corporation. ... Alternate history (fiction) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... Babbage redirects here. ... Part of Babbages Difference engine, assembled after his death by Babbages son, using parts found in his laboratory. ... The analytical engine, an important step in the history of computers, was the design of a mechanical general-purpose computer by the British professor of mathematics Charles Babbage. ... A university computer lab containing many desktop PCs The transition of communication technology: Oral Culture, Manuscript Culture, Print Culture, and Information Age Information Age is a term that has been used to refer to the present economic era. ...

Alan Moore's and Kevin O'Neill's 1999 The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen comic book series (and the subsequent 2003 film adaption) greatly popularized the steampunk genre and help propel it into mainstream fiction.^{[citation needed]} There are also numerous instances of the Steampunk subgenre in manga and anime and Japanese video games – famous examples are Fullmetal Alchemist,^[3] Hayao Miyazaki's Laputa as well as the more recent Katsuhiro Otomo's Steamboy,^[3] the latter both Japanese animated features, the last being set in a Victorian England shaped by alternate history. For other persons named Alan Moore, see Alan Moore (disambiguation). ... For other persons of the same name, see Kevin ONeill. ... For the film adaptation, see The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (film). ... A comic book is a magazine or book containing the art form of comics. ... The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is a 2003 film adaption of the comic book limited series. ... This article is about the comics created in Japan. ... Animé redirects here. ... Computer and video games redirects here. ... Demographic Shōnen Serialized in Monthly Shonen Gangan Original run January 2001 – on going Volumes 19 TV anime Director Seiji Mizushima Studio Bones Licensor Aniplex FUNimation Entertainment Revelation films Madman Entertainment Network MBS-TBS, Animax Original run October 4, 2003 – October 2, 2004 Episodes 51 Novel Author Makoto Inoue Artist... Hayao Miyazaki , born January 5, 1941 in Tokyo, Japan) is the prominent director of many popular animated feature films. ... Laputa: Castle in the Sky ) (re-titled Castle in the Sky for release in the United States) (in English, literally translated as The Skys Castle: Laputa) is a film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, released in 1986. ... Katsuhiro Otomo Katsuhiro Otomo (大友克洋 ÅŒtomo Katsuhiro) (born April 14, 1954 in Hasama, Miyagi, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist and anime director. ... Steamboy ) is a Japanese anime film, produced by Sunrise, and directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, his second major anime release, following Akira. ... Animé redirects here. ...

Hauteville House, another steampunk-inspired comic

Thierry Gioux's Hauteville House comic book series too are heavily inspired by steampunk.^[7] The series has been introduced in 2007. Another recent steampunk comic is Het vlindernetwer. ^[8] These latter series have been made by Cecil and Eric Corbeyran.

Author China Miéville has incorporated many steampunk elements,^{[citation needed]} such as steam-driven computers, dirigibles, and Dickensian social commentary, in his novels Perdido Street Station, Iron Council, and The Scar, all of which are set in the fictional world of Bas-Lag. China Tom Miéville (born September 6, 1972, Norwich) is a British fantastic fiction writer. ... Charles Dickens used his rich imagination, sense of humour and detailed memories, particularly of his childhood, to enliven his fiction. ... Perdido Street Station (US edition cover) Perdido Street Station is the second novel written by China Miéville, and the first set in New Crobuzon. ... Iron Council (2004) is the fourth novel by China Miéville, set in the same universe as his previous books Perdido Street Station (2000) and The Scar (2002), although they can all be read independently of each other. ... The Scar is the third novel written by China Miéville, a self-described weird fiction writer from London, England. ... Bas-Lag is the fictional world in which several of China Miévilles novels are set. ...

An anthology of steampunk fiction was released in 2008 by Tachyon Publications; edited by Ann and Jeff VanderMeer and appropriately entitled Steampunk, it collects stories by James Blaylock, whose "Narbondo" trilogy is typically considered steampunk; Jay Lake, author of the novel Mainspring, sometimes labeled "clockpunk"^[9]; the aforementioned Michael Moorcock; as well as Jess Nevins, famed for his annotations to The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Tachyon Publications is an independent press specializing in science fiction and fantasy books. ... Ann VanderMeer(photograph by Keyan Bowes) Ann VanderMeer has been a publisher and editor for over twenty years. ... Jeffrey Scott VanderMeer (July 7, 1968—) is an American writer, although he has pursued careers in editing and publishing. ... James P. Blaylock (born September 20, 1950) is an American fantasy author. ... Jay Lake (born June 6, 1964) is a science fiction and fantasy writer. ... Mainspring is the third novel from writer Jay Lake. ... Clockpunk is a subgenre of speculative fiction which is similar, but different from Steampunk. ... Jess Nevins is an American author and librarian. ... For the film adaptation, see The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (film). ...

Categories of steampunk

While most of the original steampunk works had a historical setting, later works would often place steampunk elements in a fantasy world with little relation to any specific historical era. Historical steampunk tends to be more "science fictional": presenting an alternate history; real locales and persons from history with different technology. Fantasy-world steampunk, on the other hand, presents steampunk in a completely imaginary fantasy realm, often populated by legendary creatures coexisting with steam-era or anachronistic technologies. A fantasy world is a type of fictional universe in which magic or other similar powers work. ... A legendary creature is a mythological or folkloric creature (often known as fabulous creatures in historical literature). ... Look up Anachronism in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Though this article only lists a few representative examples, a much more extensive listing can be found in the article "List of steampunk works." Following is a list of steampunk works in the science fiction and fantasy genres. ...

Historical steampunk

In general, the category includes any recent science fiction that takes place in a recognizable historical period (sometimes an alternate-history version of an actual historical period) where the Industrial Revolution has already begun but electricity is not yet widespread, with an emphasis on steam- or spring-propelled gadgets. The most common historical steampunk settings are the Victorian and Edwardian eras, though some in this "Victorian steampunk" category can go as early as the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Some examples of this type include the comic book series League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, the Disney animated film Atlantis: The Lost Empire,^[3] the novel The Difference Engine, the roleplaying game Space: 1889,^[3] television series such as The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne, and Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, and the computer game ' Sakura Wars. Some, such as the comic series Girl Genius,^[3] have their own unique times and places despite partaking heavily of the flavor of historic times and settings. Alternate history (fiction) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... A Watt steam engine, the steam engine that propelled the Industrial Revolution in Britain and the world. ... Electricity (from New Latin Ä“lectricus, amberlike) is a general term for a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. ... The Victorian era of the United Kingdom marked the height of the British Industrial Revolution and the apex of the British Empire. ... The Edwardian period or Edwardian era in the United Kingdom is the period 1901 to 1910, the reign of King Edward VII. It is sometimes extended to include the period to the start of World War I in 1914 or even the end of the war in 1918. ... A Watt steam engine, the steam engine that propelled the Industrial Revolution in Britain and the world. ... Milo trying to convince scholars of Atlantis existence. ... The Difference Engine is an alternate history novel by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling. ... A roleplaying game (RPG) is a type of game in which players assume the roles of characters and collaboratively create stories. ... Space: 1889 was an early Steampunk role-playing game by wargaming legend Frank Chadwick, originally published by Game Designers Workshop and later by Heliograph, Inc. ... The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne is a 22-episode science fiction television series in the steampunk genre. ... Nadia — the heroine of the series. ... Sakura Wars, also known as Sakura Taisen (サクラ大戦), is a popular series of video games, manga, and anime created by Sega. ... Girl Genius is an ongoing comic book series written and drawn by Phil and Kaja Foglio and published by their company, Studio Foglio LLC under the imprint Airship Entertainment. ...

Karel Zeman's film The Fabulous World of Jules Verne from 1958 is a very early example of cinematic steampunk. Based on Jules Verne novels which were actually futuristic science fiction when they were written, Zeman's film imagines a past based on those novels which never was.^[10] Karel Zeman (November 3, 1910, Ostroměř near Nová Paka, then Austria-Hungary - April 5, 1989, Prague, then Czechoslovakia) was a Czech animator and filmmaker. ... The Fabulous World of Jules Verne is a film made by Czeckoslovakian-director Karel Zeman. ... This article is about the French author. ... Science fiction is a form of speculative fiction principally dealing with the impact of imagined science and technology, or both, upon society and persons as individuals. ...

There are also "Medieval steampunk" stories set in the Middle Ages, in which steam and industrial technology is developed in the Medieval era, such as Leo Frankowski's Crosstime Engineer series and Mary Gentle's Book of Ash series; and Renaissance stories, such as Erik Svane and Dan Greenberg's General Leonardo graphic novel, in which Leonardo da Vinci's avant-garde war machines are used to start a new Crusade. The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times. ... Leo Frankowski (born in Michigan) is an American writer of science fiction novels; he is now a resident of Russia, where he lives with his wife and adopted teenage daughter. ... Mary Rosalyn Gentle (1956—) is a UK science fiction and fantasy author. ... This article is about the European Renaissance of the 14th-17th centuries. ... “Da Vinci” redirects here. ... This article is about the medieval crusades. ...

Another common setting is "Western steampunk", being a science fictionalized American Western, as seen in the television shows The Wild Wild West, Legend, and The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.; the films Back to the Future Part III^{[citation needed]} and Wild Wild West^[3]; and the Deadlands role-playing game. See Science fiction Western for a list of fiction combining these two genres. Science fiction is a form of speculative fiction principally dealing with the impact of imagined science and technology, or both, upon society and persons as individuals. ... Broncho Billy Anderson, from The Great Train Robbery The Western movie is one of the classic American film genres. ... For the 1999 film, see Wild Wild West. ... Legend was a science fiction Western television show that ran on UPN from April 18, 1995 until August 22, 1995, with one final re-airing of the pilot on July 3, 1996. ... The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. ... For the video game based on this film, see Back to the Future Part III (video game). ... This article is about the 1999 film. ... Deadlands is a genre-mixing alternate history roleplaying game which combines the Western and horror genres. ... This article is about games in which one plays the role of a character. ... A science fiction Western is a work of fiction which has elements of science fiction in a Western setting. ... For the gay mens lifestyle magazine, see Genre (magazine). ...

Historical steampunk usually leans more towards science fiction than fantasy, but there have been a number of historical steampunk stories that incorporated magical elements as well. For example, Morlock Nights by K. W. Jeter revolves around an attempt by the wizard Merlin to raise King Arthur to save the Britain of 1892 from an invasion of Morlocks from the future, while The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers involves a cabal of magicians trying to raise ancient Egyptian Gods to try to drive the British out of Egypt in the early 19th century. Kevin Wayne Jeter (born 1950) is an American science fiction and horror author known for his literary writing style, dark themes, and paranoid, unsympathetic characters. ... Merlin dictating his poems, as illustrated in a French book from the 13th century For other uses, see Merlin (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see King Arthur (disambiguation). ... This article is about the H. G. Wells characters. ... The Anubis Gates (1983) is a time travel fantasy novel by Tim Powers. ... Tim Powers at the Israeli ICon 2005 SF&F Convention Timothy Thomas Powers (born February 29, 1952) is an American science fiction and fantasy author. ... A cabal is a number of persons united in some close design, usually to promote their private views and interests in a church, state, or other community by intrigue. ... The Enchanted Garden of Messer Ansaldo by Marie Spartali Stillman: a magician makes his garden bear fruit and flowers in winter. ... Egyptian mythology or Egyptian religion is the succession of tentative beliefs held by the people of Egypt for over three thousand years, prior to major exposure to Christianity and Islam. ...

Fantasy-world steampunk

Since the 1990s, the application of the steampunk label has expanded beyond works set in recognizable historical periods (usually the 19th century) to works set in fantasy worlds that rely heavily on steam- or spring-powered technology. China Miéville is one of the better-known fantasy steampunk authors. China Tom Miéville (born September 6, 1972, Norwich) is a British fantastic fiction writer. ...

Fantasy steampunk settings abound in tabletop and computer role-playing games. Notable examples include the Dungeon Siege role-playing game ^[11], Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends ^[12], Crimson Skies ^[13], the Xbox RPG Sudeki ^[14], the Van Helsing game ^[15], the game Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee ^[16], Syberia ^[17], Sega's console RPG Skies of Arcadia^[18], and the PC game Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura,^[3] in which the world is torn between its roots in magic and its steam-driven, industrial future. Dungeon Siege is a computer role-playing game developed by Gas Powered Games and published by Microsoft Game Studios. ... Rise of Nations is a real-time strategy computer game, developed by Big Huge Games and published by Microsoft on May 20, 2003. ... Crimson Skies logo. ... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... Van Helsing is a 2004 American action/horror film about vampire-hunter Gabriel Van Helsing, directed by Stephen Sommers. ... Oddworld is a comprehensive fictional universe presented in video game form, created by game developers Oddworld Inhabitants under the direction of Lorne Lanning. ... For a region of Russia, see Siberia. ... This article is about the video game company. ... Skies of Arcadia, released in Japan as Eternal Arcadia ), is a console role-playing game developed by Overworks for the Dreamcast and published by Sega in 2000. ... Arcanum: of Steamworks and Magick Obscura is a computer role-playing game developed in 2001 by Troika Games, and published by Sierra Entertainment. ...

Notable, recent additions to Steampunk gaming are the games set in the Warcraft Universe,^{[citation needed]} produced by Blizzard Entertainment. There is a vast amount of technology engineered and built by Gnomes, Goblins, and Dwarves that is reminiscent of steampunk. This is most clearly seen in the 'wondrous techno-city of Gnomeregan', a city run primarily by steam engine technology in the game World of Warcraft. The traditional dwarven tanks are also known as "steam tanks" or "siege engines", with Goblins having created steam or clockwork-powered mechanical suits called "Shredders". “The world of Warcraft” redirects here. ... Blizzard Entertainment, a division of Vivendi Games, is an American computer game developer and publisher headquartered in Irvine, California. ... World of Warcraft (commonly abbreviated as WoW) is a massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by Blizzard Entertainment and is the fourth game in the Warcraft series, excluding expansion packs and the cancelled Warcraft Adventures: Lord of the Clans. ...

Variants of the steampunk concept

In between the historical and fantasy sub-genres of steampunk is a type which takes place in a hypothetical future or a fantasy equivalent of our future where steampunk-style technology and aesthetics have come to dominate, sometimes (as in Philip Reeve's Mortal Engines) as a result of modern computer-based technology being mysteriously forgotten or completely forbidden. Other examples include Disney's Treasure Planet^[3] film. Aesthetics is commonly known as the study of sensory or sensori-emotional values, sometimes called judgments of sentiment and taste. ... Philip Reeve is a bestselling British author and illustrator. ... This is an article about a 2001 novel by Philip Reeve. ... Treasure Planet is a 2002 Academy Award nominated science fiction animated feature film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation, and released by Walt Disney Pictures on November 27, 2002. ...

John Clute and John Grant have introduced another category: gaslight romance. According to them, "steampunk stories are most commonly set in a romanticized, smoky, 19th century London, as are Gaslight Romances. But the latter category focuses nostalgically on icons from the late years of that century and the early years of the 20th century—on Dracula, Jekyll and Hyde, Jack the Ripper, Sherlock Holmes and even Tarzan—and can normally be understood as combining supernatural fiction and recursive fantasy, though some gaslight romances can be read as fantasies of history."^[19] This category is no longer in use (as well as its distinction from steampunk), with the exception of French fandom. John [Frederick] Clute is a Canadian born author and critic who lives in Britain. ... Paul Le Page Barnett (1949 - ) is a writer and editor of science fiction, poetry and non-fiction, who usually writes as John Grant or occasionally as Eve Devereux. He has published three original novels, as well as novels in the Judge Dredd and Legends of Lone Wolf series; has edited...

While not necessarily inspired by or a variation of the Steampunk genre, several other categories have arisen sharing similar naming structures. The most well known of these is dieselpunk, but also includes clockpunk and many others. Most of these terms were invented as part of the GURPS roleplaying game, and are not used in other contexts^[20]. Dieselpunk is shorthand to describe a fantasy society with an industrial level of development, and a Cyberpunk attitude. ... The Generic Universal RolePlaying System, commonly known as GURPS, is a role-playing game system designed to adapt to any imaginary gaming environment. ...

See also: Cyberpunk derivatives.

Steampunk as a subculture

Cover of Issue 3 of Steampunk Magazine.

Because of the popularity of steampunk with people in the goth, punk, cyber and Industrial subcultures, there is a growing movement towards establishing steampunk or "Steam" as a culture and lifestyle. The most immediate form of steampunk subculture is the community of fans surrounding the genre. Others move beyond this, attempting to adopt a "steampunk" aesthetic through fashion, home decor and even music. This movement may also be (more accurately) described as "Neo-Victorianism", which is the amalgamation of Victorian aesthetic principles with modern sensibilities and technologies.^[21] Steampunk Magazine is an online and print semi annual magazine devoted to articles relating to the steampunk subculture. ... This article is about the subculture. ... The punk subculture is a subculture that is based around punk rock. ... An example of cyber fashion Cyber, also referred to as cyber culture or cyberculture, is the name given to a subculture that has roots in multiple music scenes including the European Dark scene and rave/clubbing scenes. ... Neo-Victorian is an aesthetic movement which amalgamates Victorian and Edwardian aesthetic sensibilities with modern principles and technologies, many of which originate and are still centered in Japan. ...

"Steampunk" fashion has no set guidelines, but tends to synthesize punk, goth and rivet styles as filtered through the Victorian era. This may include Mohawks and extensive piercings with corsets and tattered petticoats, Victorian suits with goggles and boots with large soles and buckles or straps, and the Lolita fashion and aristocrat styles. Some of what defines steampunk fashion has come from cyberpunk, and cyberlocks are used by some people adopting a steampunk look. The famous Mohawk leader Joseph Brant wearing a scalp lock. ... A lolita in Harajuku, Tokyo. ... Aristocrat (or Madam when referring to the feminine version of the fashion) is a Japanese fashion that is inspired by what is thought to be worn by European Middle Class and above status persons in the Middle Ages and by fashion worn by the upper class in the 19th Century. ... An example of fake dreadlocks Fake hair is used to give many different people different kinds of hairstyles without the commitment that having real hair in that style would require. ...

"Steampunk" music is even less defined, and tends to apply to any modern musicians whose music or stage presence evokes a feeling of the Victorian era or steampunk. This may include such diverse artists as Abney Park and Vernian Process.^[22][23] Abney Park is a Steampunk/goth band based in Seattle. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ...

A desktop computer styled in a steampunk fashion

Bold text Desktop computer with several common peripherals (Monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, microphone and a printer) A desktop computer is a gay electronic machine computer which convert raw data into meaningful information, made for use on a desk in an office or home and is distinguished from portable computers such...

Steampunk as a style of art and design

Various modern utilitarian objects have been modded by individual craftpersons into a pseudo-Victorian mechanical "steampunk" style.^[24] Example objects include computer keyboards and electric guitars.^[25] The goal of such redesigns is to employ appropriate materials (such as polished brass, iron, and wood) with design elements and craftsmanship consistent with the Victorian era.^[4][26] Modding is a slang expression that is derived from the verb, modify, and the noun, modification. The term can refer to the act of modifying a piece of hardware or software to perform a function not intended by someone with legal rights concerning that modification. ... A 104-key PC US English QWERTY keyboard layout The Dvorak Simplified Keyboard layout A standard Hebrew keyboard showing both Hebrew and QWERTY. A computer keyboard is a peripheral partially modelled after the typewriter keyboard. ... Two different electric guitars. ...

The artist group Kinetic Steam Works^[27] created a Steampunk Tree House^[28] for Burning Man 2007, and also brought a working steam engine to the event in 2006 and 2007. The event is named after its Saturday night ritual, the burning of a wooden effigy. ...

See also

Following is a list of steampunk works in the science fiction and fantasy genres. ... Neo-Victorian is an aesthetic movement which amalgamates Victorian and Edwardian aesthetic sensibilities with modern principles and technologies, many of which originate and are still centered in Japan. ... The jet pack, an icon of the future, appearing on an August 1928 issue of Amazing Stories science-fiction magazine. ... A science fiction Western is a work of fiction which has elements of science fiction in a Western setting. ... Steampunk Magazine is an online and print semi annual magazine devoted to articles relating to the steampunk subculture. ... Weird West is used to describe a combination of the western with another genre. ...

Notes

Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 68th day of the year (69th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 138th day of the year (139th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... HowStuffWorks is a website created by Marshall Brain but now owned by the Convex Group. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 138th day of the year (139th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 238th day of the year (239th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Boston Globe (and Boston Sunday Globe) is the most widely circulated daily newspaper in Boston, Massachusetts and New England. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... is the 193rd day of the year (194th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 189th day of the year (190th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 286th day of the year (287th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Locus Online (1997-) is the online component of Locus Magazine. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... John [Frederick] Clute is a Canadian born author and critic who lives in Britain. ... John Grant may refer to: John Grant, an engineer, believed by some scholars to have been Scottish, who fought in the Siege of Constantinople John Grant, one of the conspirators in the Gunpowder Plot John Grant, mayor of Victoria, British Columbia from 1887 to 1891 John Grant, screenwriter John Grant... Cover art The Encyclopedia of Fantasy is a reference work on fantasy, edited by John Clute and John Grant. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 128th day of the year (129th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The New York Times is a daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed internationally. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 353rd day of the year (354th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 275th day of the year (276th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 304th day of the year (305th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Newsweek logo Newsweek is a weekly news magazine published in New York City and distributed throughout the United States and internationally. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... NPR redirects here. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

References

Nova Express (fanzine) is a Hugo-nominated science fiction fanzine edited by Lawrence Person. ... Jess Nevins is an American author and librarian. ...

External links

• Steampunk - the New Genre: talk delivered by James Roy at the 2003 Children's Book Council of Australia Conference
• Brief Steampunk FAQ at Brass Goggles, a blog about "the lighter side of steampunk"
• Steampunkopedia: compendium of all things steampunk, including Steampunk Chronology, offered by Retrostacja
• Aether Emporium: database of steampunk links in wiki-format
• The New Design Style of Steampunk by Simone Cortez Gray

Coverage in conventional media

• The Age of Steampunk: article from The Boston Globe
• Steam Dream: article from The Phoenix
• Steampunk Moves Between Two Worlds: article from The New York Times