When I saw the cover of Game Informer, I was intrigued because it looked like a nice dystopian setting (comparisons with City 17 have been made before and with good reason).
Then the first screenshot and the first information we get all points in a completely different direction: Fantasy set in what looks and sounds like the 17th/18th century Spanish Empire.

So apparently their first marketing move was to take two of my most favorite genres and confuse us on how they'll go together. Certainly worked to get me interested in the game (not that I hadn't been interested since I read "Arkane Studios").
But how to you think this will be implemented? Apparently the main character will have supernatural powers.. is one of them time travel? Will it be a bit like "Back to the Future", where your actions in the past create an undesirable future and that.... bothers you for whatever reasons? Will you simply live long enough, thanks to your powers, and continue to be an influential figure in the universe, much like The Nameless One in Planescape: Torment?

I'm interested in hearing your ideas about the plot devices they could be using here, so let's hear them. Also, what do you think of this apparent crossover?

It reminds me of the steampunk setting that Thief 1 and 2 had, to be honest.

thinking about it it's not THAT big a stretch to imagine Karras having invented striders or cars.

i don't think we've seen enough of the world at this point to really accurately judge the setting, though.

I'm all for retro futurism and steampunk-esque settings!

Definitely. The new Game Informer feature sounds damn promising. I still wonder how those huge robots fit into that setting, though - I'm still thinking that there will be some sort of time jump during the game, because the map and the first screenshot look very steampunkish, while the cover looks like a futuristic version of a steampunk-setting...
Ah, we'll have to wait and see, I guess. If it turns out that the cover shows the same time period than the other features, then I'm pretty much sure that they'll merge those styles really well, and it won't look as out of place as it does to me now. The world seems just so detailed and thought-out.

I mean, I wouldn't like a futuristic setting like those in many Final Fantasy games (or to a degree in Arcanum), where some cities are inexplicably advanced and others are still very medieval fantasy.

I seriously doubt we'll be traveling through time. It's a steampunk setting based off of early 18th century aesthetics. They're in the early and very dangerous throes of an industrial revolution built on what seems to be a very volatile resource...even more so than our real-life reliance on oil. The possible extinction of an extremely large part of an ecosystem(both figuratively and literally it seems), what is said to be an extremely inhospitable world, the uninhibited growth of industry, and a growing population trying to adapt sets the stage for a very tenuous situation in this world. Add to that political instability, governmental and religious oppression, rampant poverty and suffering(likely crime as well), a plaque, and what appears to be some type of magical or extra-dimensional entity(possibly tied to these gargantuan whales) interfering and you've got a very interesting setting. It's a dystopian, arcane, and steampunk like setting. Something that seems somewhat unique actually.

Human exploitation, environmental exploitation, an the consequences of those things seem like they're going to feature very heavily in the game.

Sounds like you nailed it pretty well. We're really trying hard to come up with a unique, atypical world; glad to hear you guys seem to like the settings!

I clap for the originality.

It's called Steampunk, and it's very popular. Dishonored seems to look like a more modern or clean cut take on that idea.

Okay, I see what you're trying to say. Yeah there's that modern Dystopia vibe with a slight steampunk aesthetic. I think it works well. It's nicely balanced in that you don't really see one or the other, but a nice blend.

There's obviously a bit of magic thrown in as well though.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcanum:_Of_Steamworks_and_Magick_Obscura

I was trying to think of settings like this at work all day. Honestly, I couldn't come up with any. Steampunk? Sure, tons. Dystopian? Well, at least Mario hasn't gone there yet. Arcane? Lots of those too. Combine them though and it actually seems like something new. Toss in a bit of that Industrial Revolution era flair and you've got one unique world.

Gotta admit, I don't usually get hyped up for games. I mean, I'm a huge TES fan...but in my head I still instantly start finding ways to discredit the marketing jargon. Marketing wizardry or not though, the world is what it is...and that does truly excite me.

I really think the gameplay mechanics we've heard about mesh well with this type of world as well. In my head, it leaves you feeling vulnerable yet still like you can take on anything given enough skill and wit. That balancing act of power versus vulnerability has always seemed like one of the more difficult things to achieve in a game. Can't wait to see what else you guys have in store for us. BTW, I also really appreciate that you folks seem to be taking an interest in what these forums have to say. I'd never hope for a game designed by committee but there's something to be said for having a friendly relationship with your customer base. Always nice to have your finger on that pulse.

And even more people from Arkane should start popping around in the coming days!

i really like the setting and the interactive map is cool.