I just realized that since this community is new, it’s going to be listed on the front page of SLRPNK.net, so I should do a bit more explanation and promotion.
Fully Automated is a solarpunk tabletop RPG.
If I were to hear that, my first questions would be:
- *“What kind of solarpunk?”
- “What kind of stories is this for?”*
- and “How solarpunk is this? Are we talking science fantasy with solar panels? Or something more?”
First and foremost, it’s meant to be flexible. That said, the default flavor is a scientifically grounded version of high density, post-scarcity urban adventure.
The first set of playable stories are meant to be accessible, exciting adventures, especially to people new to solarpunk. It’s assumed that the game may be played by game groups at the request of one player, but not everyone in the group has ever encountered this genre. These stories are primarily investigative, with a mix of diplomacy and possible violence.
Finally, how solarpunk is it? Ultimately, I don’t want to confine people, and different people have different tastes. But we’ve made an effort to provide a starting point that doesn’t feel like capitalism with a green coat of paint. The default setting exists somewhere between Libertarian Socialism and Anarchist Communism. It describes a world with a very different set of technologies, social expectations, and philosophical relationships to neighbors and nature. This game is meant to appeal to people new to solarpunk stories, but hope that folks who’ve read all the classics will not find it shallow.
Most importantly, though, this is not a manifesto. It’s a game, and it’s meant to be easy to play and genuinely fun. If you like TTRPGs, we hope you’ll try it out with friends! If you want to try it, let us know and we’ll help get you started.
I’ve really enjoyed digging into the worldbuilding - I know it’s not meant to be an academic text, but I think the simple language and explanations of lived experiences with regards to things like alternate economies did help me better understand some of the concepts I often see in solarpunk spaces. I think sometimes I need to see examples of a thing before I can picture it and extrapolate on it. All that aside, from the sessions I’ve seen, it does seem like a lot of fun. Hoping to set up a character soon.
I know it’s not meant to be an academic text, but I think the simple language and explanations of lived experiences with regards to things like alternate economies did help me better understand some of the concepts I often see in solarpunk spaces. I think sometimes I need to see examples of a thing before I can picture it and extrapolate on it.
I’m really gratified to hear this, because this is really one of the animating motivations behind publishing the game.
That’s really the reason why I’ve wanted so badly to release this (and make it free): because this was the same experience I had when I was running games for friends, and it’s a cool feeling that I want more people to have.
It’s hard to really just imagine a day in the life of someone living in a realistic post-capitalist world. But tabletop games are an ideal medium for it.
