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Get A Taster Of Cyntopia A New Cyberpunk Style Board Game!
July 24, 2014 by brennon
Cyberpunk is one of those genres which I keep going back to despite my love of Fantasy. I think it's the gritty darkness of it combined with the almost magical way in which 'runners' or 'hackers' interact with the multitude of electronic devices at their fingertips. With that in mind check out some teasers for Cyntopia, a new board game coming to you along the information highway...
The artwork is looking amazing, the bottom one more so than the top here, but it really gives you that sense of the dark underbelly of Cybernetic society on a future Earth. I like how the folks behind the game have also been running the previews and teasers for the game as a bit of an alternate reality game with everything being very in character. I hope that continues!
"Cyntopia - The future is now" is a cooperative Cyberpunk tabletop board game with simple and action packed combat, featuring detailed character miniatures, fully customizable maps and much more.
The future is waiting for you Edgewalker, are you ready?"
This is what we know so far and I'm already hooked up, jacked in, and ready to see what comes of this. For now I will keep my interest at bay with some more Netrunner!
What do you think?
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The genre is probably my favorite of all… Curious about what this cooperative boardgame will look like…
I hope is a miniatures game and not a cards game…. we already have Netrunner for that.
Says so in the blurb: “featuring detailed character miniatures”
Whether they’re any good is another question
Edgewalker vondrasky, I can finally reassure you, that “Cyntopia – the future is now” is going to be a tabletop boardgame with miniatures as you can see here :
http://www.beastsofwar.com/cyntopia/renders-pop-cyberpunk-cyntopia/
Sounds very interesting
Thanks for the heads up Ben.
Sounds good to me. Look forward to seeing how it develops
Thanks for the heads up Ben.
Apologies for the double post
The laptop went weird
Is this screaming Deus Ex at anyone else or is it just me? 😀
Or Syndicate many moons ago.
I can’t help but feel that the game creators are taking the ‘seedy underbelly’ side of this fictional future society a bit too much to heart. In these two images we do see plenty of classic cyberpunk imagry – the rain drenched, neon-lit streets that could have come straight out of Blade Runner, the male cyborg wearing a black trench coat – but just look at the three female characters we see depicted; one is wearing a… lets just say ‘curious’ style of strappy, short cut pink dress with knee length boots that doesn’t immediately scream cyberpunk to me so much as really, really ill-judged cosplay.
The second is what appears to be a naked woman (or possibly mannequin/android) standing with her back to the scene in a window that we assume is part of a red light district (which itself seems a little incongrous since this image depicts a future where posing in windows would appear to be a somewhat anarchronistic means of selling tittilation). These two images alone seem to set a rather unfortunate direction in terms of the game’s attitude toward women, but the third image really rams home the point.
It depicts what I assume is a player character or significant combat NPC who seems from her gear to be a stealth-ortiented sniper. She has the scoped rifle, the high tech, futuristic version of night vision goggles, the black body suit, along with a sidearm and wrist mounted computer thing. Trouble is, this stealthy sniper/assassin/infliltrator has made the curious decison to cut an entirely pointless and thoroughly stealth-compromising hole in her suit for the sole purpose of… showing off her cleavage. Which is of course exactly what you want to do when you are trying to remain unnoticed and undetected…
While one could make a similar argument abvout the character being unhelmeted, that is an established convention when it comes to individualisng fictional characters, making them easier to recognise and empathise with than a blank visor, and so is justified despite the way in which it undermines internal logic. The same cannot be said for a gratuitous boob-window included for no good reason whatsoever. The odd part is that the pose is not particularly sexualised, and the proportions of the character are not warped in the fashion one has sadly come to expect, which makes the choice to include the cutaway section all the more strange. They almost had it right, so why do this?
That is a whole lot of problematic elements in just two promotional images, and I get the queasy feeling that it may be signposting a broader underlying attitude among the game creators. Cyberpunk as a genre already has something of an image problem when it comes to its attitude toward women. The last thing it needs is another game repeating all the old mistakes.
Thank God you are here to defend all women from evil corporations. Clearly, this people want to slave women. As long as men like yourself are around to defend women, they will be safe. They need to be defended. They need to be held by strong, male figures who know better. Who understand what is best for them. Please, continue on your journey. Everyone: know this fabulous alpha male has done a great service towards women here. He has saved them. He has. He has.
Go now! Fly to new adventures!
Either I have misunderstood vetruviangeek’s post, or yours, or you have misunderstood his post, but any which way I am somewhat perplexed by the sarcasm.
Are you saying that misogyny in gaming is acceptable?
No. I’m merely pointing with my accusative finger to the only man in the room who isn’t excited about the news of a new game, but instead trying divert the flow of attention to himself with this kind of discussion, pointing the obvious. I don’t see blacks there. Is racism wrong? Or midgets. Or fat people. The authors of this game are really that against obesity? They make me sick. Its worrying they haven’t included old ladies who believe in gnomes. A concerned citizen he might be, of course, but the fact is we are talking about what HE thinks, not about the content of the game. This is obviously not entirely true. it’s just an exaggeration of what happened (if, something actually happened) but it goes to show how accusing someone for free in the internet works. Watch and learn, kids. Watch and learn.
So we have to be excited about new games by default, and accept what we are offered without criticism?
The criticism was justified despite a poor attempt to deflect it by inferring otherwise by the lack of other minorities present in the images..
It isn’t just about what “HE thinks”. It is about a lack of awareness in the gaming industry which is embarrassing.
The blatant sexism is not merely offensive, but a tired old cliche and it would be a welcome change to get something other than boring old tropes.
And yes, FYI, racism is wrong.
Yes, you are entitled to do whatever you want in light of a new game. There are quite a few in there, and from the three images they posted, I would definitely say your concerns are absolutely justified. They must beat their wives.
Anyone who wants to gather a bunch of concerned citizens about any subject they believe this or any other game misrepresents, has my absolute support. Witch hunt mode = ON baby! I will even light the torches and give away a fair deal on silver forks in case these witches are werewolves!
Just don’t expect everyone to join the trials, folks.
Again, the criticism is justified. Anyone can be a critic. I was just being a critic of a critic. And mind you, midgets are not represented in this game. I want the developer justification, in my desk, by tomorrow seven or else… they leave me no choice but to BOYCOTT THIS GAME WITH MY DOLLAR (oohhh! Ohhhh! Run! run under your bed! I’m boycotting it! I will not just not buy it, but will tell my friends and “everyone I know” about how strong and sensible I am, so they don’t buy it either!)
Racism is wrong, yes. I was seeing if you were paying attention. Set a trap there, you sneaked right past it. Good!
“They must beat their wives.”
More likely beating their bishops over salacious images of cyberwhores in dirty raincoats dreaming of electric sheep
My sense of fun is just fine thank you, I get plenty of of it
I just prefer it not to be grounded in retarded* ideologies regardless of any morality.
Your mileage obviously differs
* Verb: Delay or hold back in terms of progress or development:
eg his progress was retarded by his limp
Hey! You have a sense of humor after all! ;-D Welcome to the fun! No really. I get his point, and I get yours. But damn complaining all the time is boring. Let’s just have fun.
I’m sorry Edgewalker thislove, I’ve dissapointed you and wasn’t able to confirm or decline that midgets will be presented in the game.
You’ve got a point there and my developer really has to think this point through.
They wanted me to tell you, that they are really, really and terrible sorry for the lack of midgets in the current version of Cyntopia.
I’m sorry that the classified information about Deadeye brought up this concern.
My developer are well aware of racism, misogyny, missing midgets and other racial slurs – also they dont beat their wives, not even me.
Yes, she shows cleavage but that is part of her history, it is part of her personal background and this will be availbe in the future.
No, not all female or male characters will feature cleavage – we promise that and already have kept that promise – some characters choose to wear this kind of outfit and some chose to fit into heavy armor, depending on the background and personal story.
On the otherside I want to put on a small reminder here, Cyberpunk is a dark, filthy and dystopic genre and my developers are going to make sure, that Cyberpunk – in its classic form – will return.
“Cyberpunk is a dark, filthy and dystopic genre”
May I ask why, out of all the possible images that could have been used to portray those characteristics of the genre, did you choose to go with prostitution?
Is is simply that selling sex sells?
May I ask you to check out the other artworks?
One out of six characters – two females at the moment – features a cleavage and you talk about prostitution?
What do you think about “Ghost in the shell”, “Total Recall”, “Bladerunner” and “Neuromancer”?
You can’t put everything into one frame.
And honestly showing a cleavage and prostituting herself is a huge difference – well at least for me.
So again if you check out the other artworks, you’ll see that it has nothing to do with sex sells – if we wanted to use that as a feature, well than we could just do it like some other tabletop games, which I’m not going to mention right now – I’m sure you’ve heard of them anyway.
If we’ve had offended you with that cleavage, then I’m sorry – but again we wont turn our back on the design decisions, which have been made.
I am far from offended.
I am however very tired of seeing unnecessary boobage in game artwork.
If you won’t turn your backs on design decisions there is little more that can be said.
However for future reference it would be good to see some genuinely creative designs rather than the same old hackneyed tropes churned out relentlessly.
You have to put your designs in the context of all the other gaming imagery and it is just yet more of the same.
For some of us who are less swayed by the frisson of seeing some cleavage, immersion is stymied by wondering why the woman depicted above would possibly wear that outfit. Is it because she wants to look kick ass but must look sexy too?
That isn’t gritty and dystopian . That is cheesy Hollywood.
And as said above sparking this whole debate, it doesn’t really say a lot for the role of women in society.
I admit, my sensibilities are probably in the minority. But please don’t suggest that they are based on some prudish morality. Now that would be offensive.
Your idea of the depiction of women in this somewhat limited selection of artwork leaves a little bit to be desired. There is a seedy element to society which involves prostitution – dystopian settings play on that by exaggerating the negative elements of society. Yes, we can assume that the naked woman in a window is a prostitute selling herself in a manner not disimilar to thered light district of Amsterdam. Prostitution exists and it most likely always will exist in one form or another, it’s not sexist to portray it happening in a piece of artwork.
The woman in the pink dress could either be another prostitute or perhaps just a party goer – take a walk around any city centre on a Friday or Saturday night in England to see examples of similar attire, generally worn without a coat regardless of the weather. There doesn’t seem to be any evidence of this trend letting up and so it is a reasonable assumption to make when producing a piece of artwork depicting a dystopian near future. It’s also worth noting that where artistic license is used, it is often the case that stylisation is done based on prevailing norms and attitudes because it makes the image easier to recognise and identify with. Again, it’s not necessarily sexist to portray a woman in a short dress.
Finally, for anyone who remembers the original Cyberpunk 2020 game by R Talsorian Games (and there is a lot of this in Shadowrun too), one of the key themes in Cyberpunk games is Style Over Substance. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing, as long as you look goood doing it. This is reflected in highly stylised artwork and things like the “cut away” top worn by the female operative. It’s designed to look stylish first and practical second, something that is fairly common. If that cut away top is sexist, then a good portion of women’s fashion is similarly sexist but it doesn’t seem to diminish women’s interests in it.
My attitude leaves a lot to be desired? LOL!
The dress isn’t sexist. The constant irrational use of such imagery IS sexist.
Style>Substance? Maybe only in video games. I rather suspect that many authors writing in the genre would beg to differ.
Do electric sheep have wet dreams.
No, Chibi, not video games – I’m talking about tabletop RPGs; R Talsorian’s Cyberpunk and FASA corp’s Shadowrun.
And “constant irrational use” is entirely subjective. In this case, the use of the female form is only irrational IN YOUR OPINION. In this case, given what the artist was trying to portray, I think it was entirely justified. Key words “I think”. My opinion, not necessarily everyone else’s and no more or less correct.
Where did i say that my opinion was the only opinion?
That was your presumption.
It is objective to say that there is a tendency to show cleavage for no particular reason. Argue against that if you will, but time and again, designers show themselves incapable of providing something other than cliched costumes.
TBH I doubt it is down to their lack of creativity. But pandering to the puerile demand for fan service doesn’t seem a lot better.
It would be rather refreshing to see designs that actually respected women.
You can keep your eye candy.
Do electric sheep lose their flavour on the bed post overnight
I suspect when women cease showing cleavage, sculpture will cease depicting it. Or perhaps all women should be sculpted in Burkas or Niqabs
Showing a bit of cleavage does not in any way disrespect women.
*facepalm*
yeah right.
Go away and think about it just a little bit from the point of view of being seen as object.
People ARE objects – we may be objects with personalities but we are still objects. My default assumption is that to everyone who I have never met or interacted with in a meaningful way I am nothing more than an object that exists in the same world as them. An object that has only one real purpose, that of reproducing; so I’m sure you know what that makes us.
So when you say “think about it just a little bit from the point of view of being seen as object”, I already do. My assumption is that to everyone else in the world, I am nothing more than an object and I have no expectation that they will hold any particular opinion of me, nor do I much care whether they do.
But irrespective of me being viewed as an object, objectification occurs in your head – the picture itself doesn’t objectify anyone, only the person viewing the picture can do that.
I like cyberpunk so much!..Looking forward for this…Hope it will be great game with great miniatures…=)
Really looking forward to tthis game, the artwork looks stunning – real dystopian night scapes.
Just as relevant to table top and board games
http://www.democracynow.org/2014/10/20/women_are_being_driven_offline_feminist
Personal opinions on Sarkeesian aside, I fail to see how a (more than likely false) threat of violence made by a deranged student is quite the same as an artistic endeavour showing a bit of cleavage or implying prostitution. There’s quite a large disparity in severity between portraying (not particularly) sexual imagery to threatening to blow up a University Campus. I certainly fail to see the relevance of the link in the context of a Cyntopia preview where the worst that’s happened is that a picture of a woman is showing some cleavage (something women have been doing for countless years) and a picture shows what is probably a prostitute (something that women have been doing for millennia). Cleavage happens, prostitution happens. Portraying them in a game is hardly driving women away.
No one says you have to like sexual imagery but if you don’t like it, don’t buy/view/read it. I can totally accept that sexy images aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. But that doesn’t mean because you don’t like it no-one else can or should enjoy it. Live and let live. To each their own.
You fail to see period.
Compartmentalising things into discrete areas to protect and justify one’s consumer trends and self image as a gamer, is a neat way of not having to deal with the responsibility of our actions.
I get it you don’t get it.
It is not about my “opinion” it is about the paucity of choice one has as a gamer for figures of women that are not treated as objects of sexual desire.
You cannot separate that out from the treatment of women in society,
If one cannot grasp a simple concept that an active female is unable to be an operative in a skirmish without recourse to flashing her tits their is something lacking with the imagination.
That is what is so disappointing from the perspective of table top gaming.
The sheer lack of creativity on the part of designers and the consumer of eye candy.
The fan service is such a boring cliche.
ps Please don’t use the “If you don’t like it don’t buy it” platitude.
If I thought for one minute that lack of female models or models of a sexual nature (i.e. pinups) were a barrier preventing millions of women from engaging with the wargame hobby, I’d be right with you in championing the cause but it’s just not true. The biggest blockers to women getting involved with wargaming are personal preference and perhaps a certain amount if intimidation at being a lone female among the predominantly male community.
At the moment, there are very few women involved in the hobby – they are without doubt a very small minority, Beasts of War’s own membership statistics tell us that. I don’t believe in changes to accomodate minorities at the expense of the majority. It’s counterproductive and undemocratic. I do believe in making changes to facilitate inclusivity but I don’t consider sexy models to be a barrier to that.
I do, as it happens, support calls for companies to produce more female models; however I would never support a cause that called for an end to sexy models or even a reduction in the rate at which they are produced – I firmly believe that just because you don’t like something does not mean someone else does not and can not enjoy it and you have no right whatsoever to dictate anyone else’s tastes and preferences. Sadly you have to tolerate the existence of things you personally dislike.
BOOM! Backed.