This page defines what Steampunk Western means to TorchLightLARP. It is intended to inspire your costume and develop your character. See the Steampunk Western Pictures page for more insights.
A definition of Steampunk goes something like:
Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction or science fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery. Steampunk works are often set in an alternative history of the 19th century’s British Victorian or American “Wild West” era. It is a “future” in which steam power is the primary power source instead of electricity or gasoline.
Steampunk has retro-futuristic inventions and attire — as people in the 19th century might have envisioned them. Such inventions may include fictional machines like those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne.
All this goes to say that Steampunk can be a rather difficult concept to explain. If you are wondering if something fits into the Steampunk genre, you might ask yourself these questions:
- Does it involve leather, brass, gears, high fashion, or vests?
- Does it represent some modern technology like cars or zeppelins or robots — powered by steam (with leather, brass, and gears)?
- If it was available at the time, would it fit in the Wild West or Victorian England?
- Would “Doc” in “Back to the Future Part III” have invented it or used it?
- Can you imagine seeing this in the 1965 TV series, “Wild Wild West”?
- And firstly, does it involve leather, brass, gears, high fashion, or vests?
An answer in the affirmative means that it matches TorchLIght LARP’s vision of Steampunk.
Since a picture is worth 1000 words, check out the Steampunk Western Pictures to get an idea of what Steampunk is all about.