In a previous blog text I wrote that by the year 2220 humanity has united under one democratic world government, even though they are still divided by values, locations, and beliefs. Some people have contacted me to ask about what exactly this means. Yes, you guessed it, these different ways of looking at the world will be factions your character can belong in Out of Orbit. All of them represent different ways of approaching the utopia we are trying to create with our version of the future.
Earth Factions.
Union of Independent Townships. A union of small city states with local customs, farming, cocooned from the outside world, quaint and sometimes conservative in a tolerant way. Style: Small town, quaint, backwards
Solar Federation. A back to the nature future with gardens and solar panels where we get by with less, embracing yoga and spirituality. Style: Solarpunk, yoga, gardening.
Global Society. Fully automated luxury gay space communism as in the famous meme. All basic needs are met by zero emission machinery, minorities are accepted and celebrated, and the people are free to pursue art, philosophy, science, and exploration. Style: Futuristic, luxurious, queer.
Transplanetary Collective. Cybernetic transhumanist super scientific faction with lots of crazy geniuses, half-androids, cloning, AI, haptograms, etc. Style: Transhumanist cyberpunk, Aalto University. Incidentally, Aalto University is where both Ama and I studied.
Each character in the game room will come from one of these cultures, and might have special knowledge related to this. By the time the story begins, they will have spent a long time in a research station on the outer solar system (in the Kuiper Belt), but will still carry their background with them. Perhaps it is even more important for them than before. When you are far away from Earth, it is important to remember home every once in a while.
