Let's get right to it: Canals

[Deaghaidh]

Ok, the reference in the announcement to "classic science fiction" makes this question inevitable.

Will Mars have Canals?

I mean it depends on just how far back you're willing to go for your retro sci-fi. Canals, pyramids, tripods? Telepathic natives?

I actually suspect the answer is no. But it must be asked.

Also, if it is no, then we might as well get started on a Victorian sci-fi mod now. 'Cause that is definitely happening.

 

[stnylan]

Hopefully though you can eventually create canals yourself.

 

[LordInquisitor16]

Alright I must ask, what's this about canals?

 

[stnylan]

Alright I must ask, what's this about canals?

Back in the 19th century some astronmers thought they could see evidence of canals on Mars, thinking it was evidence of Mars being inhabited by some unknown species (ie, Martians).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martian_canal

 

[LordInquisitor16]

Ok, thanks for letting me know. Wasn't quite sure what that was all about. And who knows, maybe when you're digging around you'll find out that those canals were aquaducts or whatnot.

 

[Deaghaidh]

I thought the whole martian canals trope was universally known. Basically the idea of giant canals fueled the concept of a vast civilization that built that canals as a way to keep their cold, dry world alive.

 

[mrinku]

Victorian Science Fiction be damned! Canals were a staple of Mars SF right through to the 1960's... it wasn't until the Mariner probes started sending back flyby pictures that the matter was fully put to rest, although the lack of water detected in the Martian atmosphere from spectroscopic analysis and better telescopes had largely discounted the canal idea by then anyway.

The blurb says that Surviving Mars is inspired by 1960's science fiction, so it's possible, but I also note they cite Clarke and Asimov, not Heinlein and Bradbury, so my guess is no canals. On the other hand, they make a big thing about Secrets of Mars, so the likes of Heinlein's Red Planet and Bradbury's Martian Chronicles are probably inspirations, even without canals.

 

[Ezumiyr]

Also, if it is no, then we might as well get started on a Victorian sci-fi mod now. 'Cause that is definitely happening.

I think you're overestimating the modding potential of this game. A Victorian sci fi mod would also require incredible amounts of time and a lot of skill and dedication for a game that will probably not be a big hit (since it targets the "hardcore management" niche).

 

[AndrewT]

Will Mars have Canals?

Yep! Two per colonist.

 

[Deaghaidh]

I think you're overestimating the modding potential of this game. A Victorian sci fi mod would also require incredible amounts of time and a lot of skill and dedication for a game that will probably not be a big hit (since it targets the "hardcore management" niche).

While a native civilization is probably beyond the moddable scope, perhaps ruins of such might not be. We don't know much about what you can discover on the surface, I'm assuming sending out rovers and such is a part of the game.

Yep! Two per colonist.

I see what you did there.

 

[mrinku]

In any case, the trailer does seem to make it clear that it's the real Martian terrain they're using. That's definitely post-Viking stuff. So canals are highly unlikely.

Unless you dig your own, of course.

 

[nomen]

Mars canal research and restoration foundation for 'cough' money laundering and historical needs?

 

[Kahless]

Back in the 19th century some astronmers thought they could see evidence of canals on Mars, thinking it was evidence of Mars being inhabited by some unknown species (ie, Martians).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martian_canal

I find it interesting that the Wikipedia article fails to mention that Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli, had his findings miss translated. He never believed that Mars had man made canals. The word he used "canali" was miss translated into canal, when a more accurate translation was channel. From what I read in various books by the time he found out about the poor translation no one would listen to him so he just went with it.

 

[stnylan]

I find it interesting that the Wikipedia article fails to mention that Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli, had his findings miss translated. He never believed that Mars had man made canals. The word he used "canali" was miss translated into canal, when a more accurate translation was channel. From what I read in various books by the time he found out about the poor translation no one would listen to him so he just went with it.

I've read that as well. As for wiki articles, well, they are what they are.

 

[DukeLeto42]

There's really two ways to play with the canals idea: a "mystery" regarding discovered ancient canals (presumably done in a way that it is conceivable that we really did miss them in our extensive surface surveys), and canals we can build ourselves, perhaps for transport?

I'm not sure which is more fun....