Many who are familiar with Steampunk know about the classic Space 1889 RPG series, and the introduction of what was later to be recognized as Steampunk. Designed by the renowned Mr. Frank Chadwick, Space 1889 provides the background of how the British Empire expanded onto the Red planet, and the adventures that took place in that alternate universe.
Unfortunatly, it was ahead of its time (ironically), before Steampunk became recognized as the fictional genre it has become identified as. Though the pen-and-paper version passed on to the netherworld of RPGs, a concerted effort emerged to keep Space 1889 alive, in other forms. One means was the Space 1889 Audio Dramas, narratives of adventures on Mars. I have to admit, I was a bit suprised to see it on “You tube”. Nicely, it harkens back to the old radio adventures (though I an not quite that old, ty), but the entire series of the Space 1889: The Steppes of Thoth are available, of which I have posted the first, and have added links to the remaining six (do keep in mind – it is an audio series, meaning no images past the CD cover)!
Episode 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHDtPSIiZgQ
Episode 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYk1LGm357E
Episode 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M03vIycIe0Q
Episode 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGQ1i7gdPLU
Episode 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gbdoJJgaZc
And if you wish to further investigate the Space 1889 universe, please visit…
http://www.heliograph.com/space1889/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space:_1889
http://www.scifidimensions.com/Mar06/space1889lunar.htm
(yes, they did preceed this Heliograph by a couple of years *sigh*!)
