Editing Automobile (section)

== Automobiles in Tabletop Games ==

=== Automobiles in Science Fiction ===
Automobiles and Science Fiction have a fairly tight link. During the early 20th century they were one of the go-to technologies which was having an overt change on society and were the subject of a lot of speculation by early Sci-Fi authors and futurists of all stripes. The artists of art-deco were were inspired by the speed of the new age. It was an association which Car Manufacturers were all too happy to capitalize on, making their vehicles look as futuristic as possible. From the Fins of the 1950 to the Digital Displays of the 1980s to today with EVs being the hot item. 

A staple of Sci-Fi through much of the 20th century was flying cars. The idea of taking off from the traffic jam and flying to work definitely has it's appeal. Unfortunately, it's one of those ideas which did not pan out for rather straightforward reasons. Imagine the worst driver you know behind the wheel of a flying car zipping along at 400kph after they had a five martini lunch swerving around skyscrapers.

In more recent Sci-Fi settings, the focus has turned towards Self Driving Cars and Electric Vehicles.

==== Automobiles in Warhammer 40,000 ====
In the Grim Darkness of the Far Future, it's a pretty lousy time to be a Gearhead.

Across the [[Imperial Worlds|Worlds of the Imperium of Man]], the availability of cars varies a lot. On a Feral or Fuedal World, unless you work at the local star port the closet you'd get to a car is a [[Grox]] Cart. Elsewhere, there are a lot of need for road vehicles. After all, you need something to deliver Soylens Viridians and promethium from the supply dumps to the frontlines as well as Components and Spare Parts to factories, Scrap Metal to the Smelters, work crews to construction sites and so forth. But these would be Work Vehicles, owned and operated by Local Guilds/Trade Combines/Local Authorities/Imperial Guard/Administratum/etc. Personal Cars are far rarer items. A factory which is making economy sedans is not contributing to the [[Imperial Tithe]] (directly at least) and your average Hive manufactorium line worker does not have the disposable income or parking space for one. If they can't walk to work, they can be crammed into run down subways. Civilized Worlds would probably have the best automobile per capita ratios.

This is not to say that private cars don't exist, but even in the best conditions their would be a strict hierarchy of who gets what. At the bottom you got things kludged together from scrap metal, salvaged electric motors and old lasgun power-packs or a centuries old wreck restored to some limited functionality for minor entrepreneurs and gangers. Then there are the well off; minor merchants, foremen, local enforcers, servants, etc who enjoy some measure of privileged and have need for extra mobility. They might have an car as a sign that they are a cut above the masses beneath them, ranging from weathered but still functional beaters to new vehicles that would not be too different from what we'd drive today in most regards with some sci-fi extras. The Nobility has access baroque eight wheeled land yachts with chimera grade armor and seating for six wealthy guests and as many manservents as an entry level unit. More elaborate mobile palaces and possibly air cars if they're really wealthy are also on the table.

As always expect a lot of Gothic Bodywork and Skull decals.
=====Imperial Automobiles=====
*[[Cargo-8 Ridgehauler]]
*[[Goliath Truck]]

=== Automobiles in Post Apocalyptic settings ===
{{topquote|WITNESS ME!|Nux, Mad Max: Fury Road''}}

In most post-apocalyptic fiction where much of society’s technology is lost, fueling and maintaining automobiles is a big challenge, so many tend to not feature automobiles very often. The big exception is Mad Max and the stories it’s inspired, where motorcycle and hot rod gangs turn into warring tribes of the wasteland; big rigs are converted into war wagons, coups are covered in spikes and saw blades, and all all sorts of improvised weapons from flamethrowers to harpoons are mounted for vehicle-to-vehicle warfare. It’s completely ridiculous and over-the-too, but that’s what makes “Mad Max” style fiction so appealing.

=== Automobiles in Fantasy ===

{{topquote|I do believe in the horse. The automobile is no more than a transitory phenomenon.|Kaisher Wilhelm II, 1916, at the time the number of cars was exploding while the German Monarchy would soon be dead as dirt}}
The same reason why Cars are such a big part in Sci-Fi is why you won't find them in your usual fantasy setting. Some people feel that introducing guns does not your typical medieval fantasy setting, but an iron tube shooting lead balls with bangpowder is small [[potato]]es in when compared to measure of modernity that even a 19th century motor carriage puttering along the road brings to the setting. Unless they have a fair deal of Steampunk, cars are typically a no-show in your standard fantasy setting. Occasionally you get a magiktech car puttering about but that's most definitely the exception rather than the rule.