Re: [HoE] Sneaky Automatons

[Peter Darley <darley@cmc.net>]

Afterburner wrote:
>      While it's still a cool game and while I'll still play it and enjoy it,
> I'm hard-pressed to see how it could be "Western" without the "Steampunk".
> If it's 21st-Century technology that is distinguishable from current
> technology only by virtue of the fact that some of it uses Ghost Rock, it's
> "Mad Max Horror," not "Future Western Horror."
> 
>         AB
>         (Donning Nomex undies)

My take on this is that it's not so much the tech that makes it western,
it's more the themes, attitudes of people and they style of the world. 
I can picture the law dog wandering around with her tin star, duster,
hat and twin six-guns calling out the evil junker in 'Last Chance'
texas.  The junker steps into the muddy street with his targeting
monocle, his backpack powered ray gun  and armored bowler.  Suddenly a
dog barks and they both go for their weapons.  There are the reports of
two pistols and the junker stands still for a few seconds before falling
over with two holes in his face.  The townspeople run out of their homes
and cheer the law dog.  She hops up into her trusty jeep and drives off
into the sunset as the people of Last Chance throw a hoe-down.  Anyway,
Western, with high tech...
Peter Darley