[Zsinj16]

I was wondering, I've read the term "cyberpunk" sci-fi mentioned as a genre many times on this board, and I'm wondering as to what the term means? I have somewhat of an idea, but could someone please shed some light on this?

[FitzChivalry]

Cyberpunk is usally about hackers and networks and artifitial intelligence and usually has lots of drugs, cyborgs, genetic engineering, organized crime or anarchy organizations in a futuristc environment but not too futuristic (no spaceships, space battles and aliens, the stories take place on earth).
Hope it gave you some idea on what it is.

Try to read Neuromancer, the first cyberpunk book, or Snow Crash, the best cyberpunk book, to get an idea on what it is.

[Strut109]

Does anyone know any cyberpunk authors other than Gibson and Stephenson? Any good books in the genre?

[Black Echo]

I like Walter John William (Hard Wired, etc.). There are a few one shot cyberpunk novels out there that are interesting. One was called "GLASS HOUSES" but I can't remember who did it, a woman, IIRC. VERY nice story.

Also check out the anthology of Williams, called "Burning Chrome", one of the better collections.

I don't like Bruce Sterling. Sorry.

[voider]

If you want a shorter way, pick up a comic called BLOODSHOT.Put out by the VALIANT CO. It has to do with a nanite-enhanced horo.Assuming your into that.

[Zsinj16]

So some examples of cyberpunk sci-fi movie would be like "Robocop", "The Terminator" and "Blade Runner"? Also, would the "Mega Man" series of video games qualify as cyberpunk sci-fi?

[voider]

WELL.....YEA Youre on the right track ,but MEGA MAN great game ......but not the best answer to your question.

[FitzChivalry]

Not really, those movies are not cyberpunk.
The main thing in cyberpunk as the "cyber" part implies is computers, networks and hackers.
Those movies don't really have that.
Did you see Johnny Mnemonic? that's a cyberpunk movie.

[voider]

RIGHT.......RIGHT....YEA,thats more like it way to go FITZ couldnt have said it better(time to get my head out of the clouds)

[Barbarossa]

Actually both Robocop and Bladerunner are heavily influenced by Cyberpunk at least.
While i couldn't give a exact definition here what all Cyberpunk stories i know have in common:
- They are set in fairly near future (So near they are sometimes overtaken by reality, like Gibsons stories from the 80s which had as SF part that everybody used mobile phones http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif ).
- There is usually an interface between men and machines, which makes it possible to plug yourself directly into the net, it often is used for bionics too (Cyberware).
- The setting is almost always urban, usually pretty dark, Bladerunner caught the Cyberpunk atmosphere in its city scenes perfectly at least.
- The society is usually dominated by huge cooperations, which have replaced the state as the main authority. (Robocop comes in mind).


BtW "Burning chrome" is a story/anthology by Gibson not Wilson.