If you’ve been reading Steampunk for any length of time, you’ve probably come across the term ‘Wild Wild West Steampunk’ at some point. It usually means that some other writer seems to have taken a myriad of Victorian era Western tropes and added them to the world of Steampunk. Everything from cowboys and Indians to steam trains and robot lawmen. It’s not a new concept by any means, as many authors have used similar tropes in previous works, but it is something that has become more prominent lately.
In this article we will be discussing what exactly Wild Wild West Steampunk is and why it has come into more prominence than ever before. Is it good? Is it bad? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
What is Wild Wild West Steampunk?
Wild Wild West Steampunk is when a writer takes Western tropes, such as cowboys, lawmen and Indians, and puts them in a Steampunk world. It’s a common trope that has been used by many authors before because Western tropes are great for helping to create a powerful narrative.
However, the current prevalence of this trope is due to some recent developments in pop culture. One of the most prominent examples can be found in the show Westworld, which features robots similar to those in Wild Wild West Steampunk. The storyline deals with themes of slavery and social commentary that make it popular among audiences.
Another event that may have contributed to the increased popularity of this trope is the release of Westworld: The Game on mobile devices in 2018. This game proved that people are willing to play video games with Western themes and even more so with Steampunk ones.
It’s important to know what exactly Wild Wild West Steampunk entails because its usage has changed over time and what was once thought of as a trope has become something else entirely.
Why is it bad?
The answer is simple – it’s bad because it distracts from the real Steampunk genre. If you are a reader who enjoys reading Victorian era-inspired stories, having Western tropes thrown into the mix gets in the way of your enjoyment. It takes away from what makes Steampunk unique in comparison to other genres.
Why is it good?
Wild Wild West Steampunk is a fun, original take on the genre that many authors can’t resist. The tropes and ideas are easy to implement into a story, as they already exist in existing Westerns. It’s not going to be difficult for any author to combine them with Steampunk because they are familiar and create a new, unique story.
How to write the perfect Wild West Steampunk story.
Writing a good Wild West Steampunk story is not an easy task. There’s a lot of work to be done before you even start writing and that just isn’t going to happen overnight. It takes time and practice, but the potential payoff is worth it.
There are some important things to keep in mind when writing your own Wild West Steampunk story. The plot, as well as the world, should be interesting. This doesn’t mean that you have to reinvent the wheel with your story, but you should make sure that your plot isn’t stale and that there is something fresh about the world you create. The setting should also be interesting and unique from anything else out there. You don’t need to invent new technology in order for there to be interest; instead, find a unique twist on an old idea or technology that hasn’t been explored much if at all.
Once you have made sure that those two things are taken care of, it’s time to focus on developing your characters. This is where everything starts falling into place because once you have developed your characters well enough, they will carry the reader through your story and make them want to keep reading until the end!
Tips for Writing a Great Wild West Steampunk Story
To write a great Wild West Steampunk story you’ll need to combine Western tropes with Steampunk elements. The key here is to come up with an original take on the idea of a Western story.
One of the most important things to keep in mind when writing a Wild West Steampunk story is that it should be believable. In order to make your story believable, you need to get familiar with the actual culture and customs of the time period your story takes place in. This will help you avoid any glaring errors that would ruin immersion for readers.
Another tip for successful Wild West Steampunk stories is to create memorable characters within this world. You can create compelling characters by drawing inspiration from real-life people who lived during the time period in which your story takes place. By doing this, you will be able to craft realistic and relatable characters that readers can follow as they enter into your world. Be sure not to forget about their motivations as well, since these are something that will really sell your story!
Conclusion
The Wild West is a time period that has been romanticized for generations, and the steampunk genre has seen an explosion in recent years. The Wild West Steampunk genre is a unique combination of the two that offers an interesting take on the age old story.
But before you write your first sentence, there are a few things to consider. What is your story about? What’s going to make it stand out? How are you going to write it? What is your goal?
The Wild West Steampunk style is a time period that has been romanticized for generations, and the steampunk genre has seen an explosion in recent years. The Wild West Steampunk genre is a unique combination of the two that offers an interesting take on the age old story. But before you write your first sentence, there are a few things to consider. What is your story about? What’s going to make it stand out? How are you going to write it? What is your goal?
FAQ’s
What is Wild Wild West Steampunk?
Wild Wild West Steampunk is exactly what it sounds like: Steampunk set in the classic Wild Wild West era. In the classic series, by Terry and Jack Kirby, the west was a chaotic place where anything was possible. This is a perfect backdrop for a steampunk adventure.
There are some basic concepts that make Wild Wild West Steampunk work:
-What do cowboys and Indians do for a living? In this version, they’re former soldiers and bounty hunters who now form their own private forces. How could that be any more perfect?-What do locomotives and helicopters have to do with cowboys? They all pilot rockets! And they’re never without those horns!-Which brings us to the largest change of all: The Wild Wild West had two iconic lawmen: The Cisco Kid and the Sundance Kid. In this version, we forgive you if you substitute another famous pair.-That’s about all there is to it. So what are you waiting for? Grab your Steampunk cowboy hat, your six shooters, your bullwhip, and your trusty robot sidekick and get out there riding!
Why is it a popular trend in Steampunk?
I think that some authors have used similar tropes in previous works, but Wild Wild West Steampunk is a new trend that has become very popular in the last year or two. It is basically a mix of westerns and steampunks where the characters are cowboys, cowgirls, Indians and robots. The authors usually add steam trains and western/cowboy tropes to an existing Steampunk setting.
I think it’s great that there are more and more authors who like the western genre and want to combine them with steampunk. I think it’s a very interesting mix. This kind of story is perfect for Steampunk because it has all the steamy parts of the genre combined with true western culture.’
What are some of the popular Wild Wild West Steampunk tropes?
Wild Wild West Steampunk is the combination of two different but common genres in the Steampunk world. The first being science fiction and the second being Westerns. When you put both of these genres together, you get Steampunk Wild Wild West tropes. There are a number of popular Wild Wild West Steampunk scenarios that I’ve come across.
1). The Wounded Soldier: With war a constant threat in the steampunk world, there are bound to be soldiers that are wounded and left behind to fend for themselves or be cared for by the citizens they served with. This usually results in an injured soldier who is struggling to recover while living on the charity and goodwill of others. The Wounded Soldier trope comes with many different variations, including: A Soldier Who Has Lost A Leg To The War, A Soldier Who Was Left With A Traumatic Wound After An Attack, A Soldier Left In A Land Without Health Care Facilities, Or A Paralysed Soldier Who Learns To Walk Again (in my book ‘Steampowered’).
