5 Primary Differences Between Steampunk And Retrofuturism

There's a lot of crossever between the genres and a lot of similarities, but how can you tell them apart?

1. Time Era and Location

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The most common time periods for steampunk are Victorian England and the untamed American west. In either case, steampunk is usually set in the 1800's. However, retrofuturism takes place quite a bit further along. It's the future as perceived in the 1940's, 50's and occasionally even the 60's, and usually takes place during that time.

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2. Innards vs. Outards

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Steampunk is all about seeing the inside of machines as they work, and therefore technology is often uncovered or else has a clear casing, so the cogs and gears can be seen ticking away. Retrofuturism, on the other hand, looks sleek and sophisticated. Technology always has a streamlined covering.

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3. Clothing and Fashion

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Because of the previous two reasons, the clothing seen in both genres differs quite a bit. Steampunk is usually ornate and old-fashined. Protective headgear is most often goggles. The women are almost always in corsets, the men in top hats. In retrofuturism the clothes of the era are less tampered with, but also include more jumpsuits and spacesuits; protective headgear is most often a complete helmet.

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4. Cyborgs vs. Robots

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While both can be found in either category, steampunk favors cyborgs, part human, part machine, operating on steam-power. Retrofuturism favors robots, entirely machine, run on gasoline or other liquid fuels. When robots occasionally do appear in the steampunk genre, they are often in primitive states and used for entertainment. Robots in retrofuturism are often villains or villain minions.

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5. Transportation

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Steampunk likes any steam-powered mode of transport, lots of trains, airships, and steam cars. Occasionally (again because of the time) they will travel by horse and buggy or ship. Retofuturistic travelers have updated cars, planes or jets, and even spaceships.

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