Other Is it more advantageous to be the protagonist of...

[Warrior Spirit]

Do you think it's more advantageous to be protagonist of a fantasy setting than a sci fi setting? Or the other way around?

Let me think...

Being a Mass Effect soldier and leader with access to hi tech armor and guns sounds more pleasant than traveling on horseback as Geralt with all sorts of ugly monsters trying to eat you. This isn't about modern versus dark ages hygiene or anything like that. I'm talking about powers and advantages. We all need to be strong and in shape, but I'd rather attack my enemies with my sniper and vehicle than require several bodyguards when traveling on foot to protect myself from mage bandits.

And compare modern military walls versus stone walls. Modern buildings are insanely impenetrable. Can magic protect you against fighter jets? But for sure, walls and roofs can protect you against destruction magic from Elder Scrolls.

Plus, sci fi worlds tend to have a lot of smart people who see through others' BS. Far less cults, making our adventuring more pleasant.

 

[Murdergurl]

Honestly, Fantasy and Sci-fi genres are equally fantastical in their reach, and in turn, equally fallible. The only difference is the mood of the creativity. Magic has to stem from some sort of preternatural origin, and science fiction just mumbo-jumbo's up some fantastical new tech to achieve the same thing. Now, if you are talking about a HARD science fiction, that's a lot different, this is where you have to realistically use real science and science theories to make your fiction. A lot less wiggle room for science magic

Mass Effect, Halo, Star Wars etc... all fall into Science Fantasy, as they are way too reaching with unconventional technology to be "serious sci-fi". The sci-fi that most people recognize in popular media is science-fantasy, and there aren't a lot of widely recognized Hard Sci-fi fandoms out there. So between Sci-fi and Fantasy, it's generally the same candy in a different wrapper.

The exmples you gave are very fandom-specific. and thats the thing about both of these genres. Depenning on which book/game/movie you are referencing, the parameters of what s and is not allowed shift dramatically.

 

[Warrior Spirit]

Honestly, Fantasy and Sci-fi genres are equally fantastical in their reach, and in turn, equally fallible. The only difference is the mood of the creativity. Magic has to stem from some sort of preternatural origin, and science fiction just mumbo-jumbo's up some fantastical new tech to achieve the same thing. Now, if you are talking about a HARD science fiction, that's a lot different, this is where you have to realistically use real science and science theories to make your fiction. A lot less wiggle room for science magic

Mass Effect, Halo, Star Wars etc... all fall into Science Fantasy, as they are way too reaching with unconventional technology to be serious sci-fi. Essentially, it's the same candy in a different wrapper.

The same way I love my coffee with cream and sugar, I probably wouldn't enjoy hard sci fi.

Have you played Mass Effect Andromeda?

The Tempest (the character and his friends') space ship is like a mini luxury cruise. That's way cozier than a fire and wood encampment surrounded by creepy shadows.

 

[Murdergurl]

The same way I love my coffee with cream and sugar, I probably wouldn't enjoy hard sci fi.

Have you played Mass Effect Andromeda?

The Tempest (the character and his friends') space ship is like a mini luxury cruise. That's way cozier than a fire and wood encampment surrounded by creepy shadows.

I played the First Mass Effect and did not like it. I wasnt a fan of being shoehorned into the role of a Spectre/para-military agent. So i never followed up with any of the sequels

 

[Murdergurl]

also, you are essentially hand-picking out very specific instances to otherwise broad genres. I could point out that in various sci-fi novels, the protagonist exists in a reality where such craft simply do not exist and life is beak and harsh. And juxtaposed to that, there are fantasy settings where the modus of getting around is mere teleportation. why even bother with a craft when.. BAM, step through the summoned portal and there you are? Elven Kings and Queens lived in opulent luxury just the same as a powerful cyberpunk CEO with global reaching influence.

 

[Warrior Spirit]

also, you are essentially hand-picking out very specific instances to otherwise broad genres. I could point out that in various sci-fi novels, the protagonist exists in a reality where such craft simply do not exist and life is beak and harsh. And juxtaposed to that, there are fantasy settings where the modus of getting around is mere teleportation. why even bother with a craft when.. BAM, step through the summoned portal and there you are? Elven Kings and Queens lived in opulent luxury just the same as a powerful cyberpunk CEO with global reaching influence.

Okay I'll give you another one...

Owning a buster sword and a gym as Cloud versus a warrior with a realistic middle ages sword that chips when used and doesn't have access to modern weight training science and equipment.

That buster sword is made of advanced, sci-fi alloy, Miss MurderGurl. And you can't get as strong as Cloud without lifting weights. Dumbbells and barbells.

 

[Sir Les Paul]

It's an assumption that being a protagonist is even advantageous at all. Depending on the work of fiction, being the main character equates to little more than being the most tortured soul in that specific piece of media.

What dictates how tolerable any one setting would be to exist in is the author. Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic, so whatever fantastical systems exist in these fictional worlds is the flavor of the chosen author.

There is a parallel to just about every point that has been brought up. Sure, a monster out of nowhere in your medieval town sucks, but the native species of plenty of planets looks awful monstrous, too.

Cloud Strife was empowered via Jenova cells. Basically, an alien entity from outer space. Claim the Buster Sword is made out of whatever alloy you want, but it has Material slots for magic. The whole setting is an amalgam of magic and science, fantasy and science fiction, and it works because the two aren't really that much different.

Given the portrayals of slavery, genocide, AI overlords, and literal biological harvesting that goes on in a lot of science fiction, it's not like any random person or MC is assured some huge quality of life boon just because they exist in a futuristic setting.

I don't really think there's an inherent advantage to either genre. If anything, you're probably better off the closer you get to a slice of life game. If you want an MC with a real advantage, try Sims. You might have a chance to actually buy a house and pay off your student loans.