Definition & Synonyms
Merriam-Webster defines ‘cyberpunk’ as a “science fiction with future urban societies dominated by computer technology”. The same source also notes the noun can be used to describe an “opportunistic computer hacker”. As a sub-genre of science fiction, cyberpunk focuses on a high-tech future full of androids, transhumanist body modifications, virtual reality, and ubiquitous internet speeds. Despite sounding like an ultimate advancement in human history, this genre fixates on the darker, grittier side of high-tech society; capitalism, corruption, and conspiracies are dominant themes.
Mind Map
Following the process of word association, I’ve produced a mind map that analyses and explores the word ‘cyberpunk’, its definition, and the concepts I feel surround it. As depicted, I’ve included the general theme of science-fiction to broaden my horizons and included ideas that, although will remain related, will appear more out-of-the-box than the standard neon lights and oppressive society the initial genre focuses on so intently. For example, the mind map consists of points such as natural satellites, space exploration, and alien planets, to expand the number of possibilities I could convene for the body of work requested. I’ve also made sure to encompass common derivatives of ‘cyberpunk’, like steampunk, dieselpunk, biopunk, and nanopunk. [1]
Mood Boards
Cyberpunk Overview
After a cursory dive into the subject of ‘cyberpunk’, through Pinterest, I returned with a handful of similar images; most of which contain a bustling street, over-lit by an abundance of blaring neon signs advertising the services of run-down shopfronts. The theme appears to be, as described by my original description, a struggling society dominated by technology and ruled by mega-corporations. Some of this art includes vehicles that are either futuristic, implied by their odd designs and high-tech features, or are played off as vintage 2000s – similar to how old American muscle cars are treated nowadays. Personally, for the duration of unit 12, I’m most interested in aircraft and spaceships; I’ll be exploring these categories in more detail in a later mood board.
One of my favourite examples of a cuberpunk themed game would be Ruiner, developed by Reikon Games; I’ve made sure to insert IGN’s “first x minutes of” gameplay video below as a visual instance. This title features thoroughly violent action that’s makes the game a nonstop slaughterfest so long as the player can survive one-vs.-dozens combat. During more quite moments of gameplay, it’s difficult not to appreciate how great this game looks.
Space
Space exploration is the future. The idea of endless expanses littered with an infinite combination of celestial bodies is such a massive opportunity for fictional universes. Therefore, I’ve chosen to look into space travel and science fiction as an umbrella category over the cyberpunk theme. The mood board inserted above consists of an array of space related images, including a range of planets, nebulae, asteroid belts, and galaxies. I’ll be covering aircraft and spaceships in a later, more specific mood board. Science-fiction as a general genre is more favoured by men [2] and has inspired some of the most profitable franchises with incredibly devoted fanbases, including Star Wars and Star Trek.
Dreamed up by writer and former Air Force pilot Gene Roddenberry, Star Trek began life as a humanistic science fiction TV show on September 8, 1966. Though The Original Series, as it was later dubbed,was canceled after only three seasons, it would turn out to have unprecedented cultural influence. The franchise is a behemoth. Running over the last 50 years, it has had 5 live-action series, several films, comics, novelizations, and an extremely obsessive fandom.
Steampunk
As an extension of the cyberpunk theme, I’ve made sure the initial mind map encompasses common derivatives of ‘cyberpunk’, like steampunk, dieselpunk, biopunk, and nanopunk. [1] The mood board inserted above is made up of a selection of steampunk related photographs, including cosplay, decor, and themed gadgets. It’s clear that this steam-powered genre has a general, dull colour scheme and share other common aspects, like impractical and excessive use of small gears/cogs. However, just like ‘cyberpunk’, this genre focuses on the parallel advancement of human society through technological progress. Similarly, steampunk enthusiasts also tend to focus on transhumistic body modifications, such as limb replacements, except using a different brand of technology. I personally despise steampunk as a whole, but it makes for a great filler for the general research stage.
Mortal Engines was originally a dystopian adventure novel from British author Philip Reeve, published in 2001, the first of the “Mortal Engines quartet”. Among its many fans is Peter Jackson, who has now turned it into a tiringly frenetic and derivative fantasy-adventure movie. It is one of many terribly executed steampunk-style films and TV shows, but I needed an example outside of video-games for this research.
Aircraft & Spaceships
As I explained earlier, “the idea of endless expanses littered with an infinite combination of celestial bodies is such a massive opportunity for fictional universes”. And with an unhealthy addiction to Bungie’s Destiny 2, I thought it would be exciting to explore space transportation mediums. Inserted above is a collage of beauty renders, created by Aaron De Leon and Mark van Haitisma, depicting their impressive contributions to an ever-growing game franchise. Before Bungie moved onto creating the first Destiny game, they sold one of the most loved video-game franchises to 343 Industries – Halo. It’s quite clear that this team moved from one game to the other, keeping some primary elements in common with Destiny’s predecessor. To acknowledge this bond between titles, I’ve inserted ‘Fafnir’ by McCarthy3D on Sketchfab – my absolute favourite model on this platform. I encourage you to really explore this model.
Guns!
Most likely my bland and boring plan C for this unit: guns. Nothing shouts ‘original content’ like a gun. Luckily though, this theme is a great opportunity to create something slightly more original. A gun with some lights on it, of course. Outside of Cyberpunk 2077 trailers, demo screenshots, and artist art dumps, Destiny 2 also has some fantastic examples of weapons with some punk-like personality. The general gist I infer from this collage suggest the key to creating a typical cyberpunk-styled gun is partially rusted metal, hand-made mods, and neon lights.
Environments
To keep the initial research stage brief and cursory, I’ve chosen to include environments as an umbrella term. Although the mind map toward the top of this page doesn’t contain a section for environments, I have casually mentioned settings in passing. These could consist of brightly lit and bustling high streets, dimly illuminated back allies between towering complexes, run-down subway stations littered with cctv, imposing corporate buildings, modular sci-fi-esque corridors, and intricate city-scapes built up in multiple layers. The small array of images inserted above should demonstrate each example mentioned, avoiding stereotypical cyberpunk-style Tokyo-like environments that become tedious and all too common.
Lastly, examples of cyberpunk inspired real-time environments, by Alexander Dracott and Javier Olazabal, built and broken down for Infamous: Second Son, developed by Sucker Punch Productions. Infamous is one of Sony’s collection of PS4 launch releases from 2013, which features a corporate-ruled city teeming with maximum security measures and immorality, in which the player may choose how they balance good and evil throughout the plot.
Level 3 Year 2 