Sci-Fi

Write Us A Six-Word Science Fiction Story!

Whether your story focuses on the little not-quite-a-planet that could (“NOW I’m a planet,” Pluto exclaimed. — richardrae1) or is just perusing the Amazon reviews from an alternate dimension (Cat carrier reviews. Schrödinger’s mixed results. — spocko), write it up for us now. And then settle in for some reading. Image: TazioBettin.

io9 Ria Misra

All The Times Science Fiction Became Science Fact In One Chart

Not every science fiction story is meant to predict the future, but some of them have forecast future events with incredible accuracy. This timeline sketches out some of the most exciting examples of times that science fiction became fact. It’s the work of io9-reader Isabelle Turner (who used, among other sources, this io9 open channel)…

io9 Ria Misra

Every Science Fiction And Fantasy Cliché Ever, In One Short Story

Today, we looked at some of the most played-out tropes and storylines ever to plague a beleaguered editor of science fiction and fantasy. But just what would a story that combined all of those elements look like? Gaze upon this work, ye editors, and despair. ManchuCandidate So they won’t like my Steampunk Killer Mermaid Time…

io9 Ria Misra

Watch the first minutes of Joss Whedon’s new spooky movie In Your Eyes

And if you like what you see from the newest spooky supernatural flick from Joss Whedon’s brilliant brain, you can watch the entire movie on demand on Vimeo for 5 bucks. A great deal for those of you who want more Whedon in your life. The tagline talks about this being a story about a…

Sploid Casey Chan

Is Google Aiming Too Low By Planning A “Science Fictional” Future?

That new profile of Google X, Google’s mysterious futuristic project, includes the intriguing detail that all of Google X’s projects must have “a component that resembles science fiction.” That sounds ambitious and thrilling. But the Atlantic’s Robinson Meyer says that’s actually too narrow a view of the future. Meyer’s essay is worth checking out in…

io9 Charlie Jane Anders

The One Time Rick And Morty Almost Went Too Far

For an enlightening peek inside the mind of series creator Justin Roiland before the show’s first season finale, check out his interview with Animation World Network. Roiland talks about everything from getting the news about season two to the controversial near-rape scene in “Meeseeks and Destroy.” Speaking about the latter, Roiland speaks with great maturity…

Television Jason Krell

Formidable biologically inspired airplanes by Al Brady

Al Brady creates some really awesome biologically inspired planes. He is the designer of the awesome pterodactyl combat jets that will be featured in Bastiaan Koch’s movie Is This Heaven. His other vehicle creations are cool too. Al Brady is a concept designer in the UK. He works for game companies but enjoys painting all…

Sploid Jesus Diaz

Cast Your Vote For the Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Stories of 2013

Every year, the science fiction and fantasy trade journal Locus asks the public to select from its editors’ picks for the best science fiction and fantasy of the previous year (or write in your own nominations). The ballot for the 43rd Annual Awards is now open online – go cast your vote! Here’s more info…

Books & Comics Robbie Gonzalez

A Story About Pluto, Romantically-Inclined Robots And Tiny Spacesuits

We invited you to tell us a six-word science fiction story today, and you responded with stories that ranged all over time and space, from the furthest reaches of the solar system to the here and now… with a slight detour onto a parallel track. Image: Artist’s conception of the view of Pluto, from one…

io9 Ria Misra

The io9 Manifesto: Science Is Political

io9 started out in 2007 as the germ of an idea for a site about futurism, with a name that was a joke about brain implants. Six and a half years later, we’ve grown in size — but we’ve also grown up. Our 2008 manifesto still holds true, but in 2014 we’ve got some amendments.…

io9 Annalee Newitz

Write Some Six-Word Science Fiction!

We love long, winding stories, but even the shortest story can still pack plenty of twists and turns. We’re writing some six-word science fiction, and we want you to tell us a (concise) tale. Follow up on your six-word story from last time — ranging from the most perfect Craigslist ad ever (Room for rent,…

io9 Ria Misra

George Lucas Explains the Birth of Lightsabers

The light saber is perhaps the best ever sci-fi weapon—but how did it come to appear in the Star Wars movies? In this short documentary, George Lucas, actor Mark Hamill, and sound designer Ben Burtt discuss how the lightsaber was born. Originally created for a 2004 boxset, this 15-minute documentary has now been made freely…

Movies Jamie Condliffe

Can Galactic Empires Exist Without Faster-Than-Light Travel?

My newest science fiction novel, Lockstep, was recently serialized in Analog magazine. Reactions have been pretty favourable — except that I’ve managed to offend a small but vocal group of readers. They’re outraged that I’ve written an SF story in which faster than light travel is impossible. I did write Lockstep because I understood that…

io9 Karl Schroeder - Centauri Dreams

Why Is Science Fiction So Fascinated By Black Goo?

Today’s Comment of the Day comes from hamnotono who, fresh off the news that Helix has been renewed for a second season, asks what the deal is with science fiction’s fascination with black goo? https://gizmodo.com/break-out-the-black-goo-and-celebrate-helix-is-renewed-1553905095 When did “black goo” become the default sci-fi mystery substance? X-Files, Prometheus, Helix, probably others I’m forgetting. Give me some…

io9 Ria Misra

Holy wow, the full length trailer for Jupiter Ascending is incredible

All right. Okay. Wow. After getting teased with an itty bit of Jupiter Ascending, we now get to see the full trailer and it’s all kind of fantasy sci-fi perfect. A battle for Earth, spaceships, machine porn, alien worlds, superpowers, guessing when Sean Bean will die, The Wachowskis, the movie seems to have it all.…

Sploid Casey Chan

The awesome spaceship and vehicle concepts of Scott Robertson

Scott Robertson is one of my favorite concept designers of all time, a true master (both figuratively and literally). Anyone who loves science fiction and space and cars and mechs and any kind of awesome vehicle should own at least Blast and Drive. Here’s a tiny sample of his extraordinary work. Scott Robertson is a…

Sploid Jesus Diaz

Stunning Titanfall intro sequence makes me wish there was a full movie

Not only is Titanfall, the video game that everyone can’t stop talking about, an incredibly fun game that surpasses the hype, it also has this fantastic cinematic intro sequence that makes me almost wish I could watch the movie version of Titanfall instead of playing the video game. The sequence was made by Spov Design…

Sploid Casey Chan

This sci-fi death match in space short is better than Hollywood movies

If you crossed Hunger Games with Oblivion, mixed in some feelings of Moon, sprinkled a little of action from that Bourne movie without Matt Damon and shook it all up with astronaut suits, futuristic guns, another planet and an eerie death match you would get Project Skyborn, a heart pumping short by Marko Slavnic. It’s…

Sploid Casey Chan

io9’s March Madness: Science Fiction vs. Fantasy!

Are you ready for another edition of io9’s March Madness? In previous years, we’ve crowned the best movie, the worst movie, and the best TV show. But this year, we’re going bigger. The most famous series in science fiction and fantasy will battle it out, to see which genre reigns supreme! Check out our full…

io9 Alasdair Wilkins and Meredith Woerner

These flash science fiction stories will keep you up all night

The six-word science fiction stories you wrote for us this time around covered some very dark worlds, ranging from the most perfect supernatural Craigslist ad on the internet to aliens whose darkest fear is being found by us. Here are just some of our favorites: Room for rent, cheap. NOT HAUNTED. — Long Lost Albatross,…

io9 Ria Misra

Write Us A Six-Word Science Fiction Story!

All The Times Science Fiction Became Science Fact In One Chart

Every Science Fiction And Fantasy Cliché Ever, In One Short Story

Watch the first minutes of Joss Whedon’s new spooky movie In Your Eyes

Is Google Aiming Too Low By Planning A “Science Fictional” Future?

The One Time Rick And Morty Almost Went Too Far

Formidable biologically inspired airplanes by Al Brady

Cast Your Vote For the Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Stories of 2013

A Story About Pluto, Romantically-Inclined Robots And Tiny Spacesuits

The io9 Manifesto: Science Is Political

Write Some Six-Word Science Fiction!

George Lucas Explains the Birth of Lightsabers

Can Galactic Empires Exist Without Faster-Than-Light Travel?

Why Is Science Fiction So Fascinated By Black Goo?

Holy wow, the full length trailer for Jupiter Ascending is incredible

The awesome spaceship and vehicle concepts of Scott Robertson

Stunning Titanfall intro sequence makes me wish there was a full movie

This sci-fi death match in space short is better than Hollywood movies

io9’s March Madness: Science Fiction vs. Fantasy!

These flash science fiction stories will keep you up all night

ASUS ZenScreen 15.6-Inch Portable Monitor Is Now Cheaper Than Black Friday in Amazon’s Big Spring Sale

Early Wildfires Are Surging Across the US—and Trump’s New Fire Agency Isn’t Ready

INIU Brings Another Power Bank to the Spring Sale as SnapGo Keychain Portable Charger Drops to Its Lowest Price

Attorney Hit With Historic Fine for Citing AI-Generated Cases

Travelers Experiencing the Longest Security Lines in TSA History

Could There Be a ‘Project Hail Mary’ Sequel?

Meta Has More Smart Glasses Coming Whether You Want Them or Not

Apple Requires Device-Level Age Verification in the UK Now. Could the US Be Next?

Sonos Play Review: Call It a Comeback

Sonos Era 100 SL Review: The Cheapest Way Into Wired Sonos Sound

Asus ROG’s Massive Swift OLED Gaming Monitor Epitomizes Excess in the Best Way

The Ikea Varmblixt Smart Lamp Fills a Donut Hole in My Life

Nothing Headphone A vs. Headphone 1: Which Pair of ANC Wireless Headphones Wins?

Asus ROG’s Cetra Open Wireless Gaming Earbuds Might Be Better Than Wearing a Headset

Nintendo’s Talking Flower Is Annoying as Hell. I Love It

Level Lock Pro Review: As Good as a Secret Smart Lock Gets

Let us help find what you are looking for...

Sci-Fi

Write Us A Six-Word Science Fiction Story!

All The Times Science Fiction Became Science Fact In One Chart

Every Science Fiction And Fantasy Cliché Ever, In One Short Story

Watch the first minutes of Joss Whedon’s new spooky movie In Your Eyes

Is Google Aiming Too Low By Planning A “Science Fictional” Future?

The One Time Rick And Morty Almost Went Too Far

Formidable biologically inspired airplanes by Al Brady

Cast Your Vote For the Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Stories of 2013

A Story About Pluto, Romantically-Inclined Robots And Tiny Spacesuits

​The io9 Manifesto: Science Is Political

Write Some Six-Word Science Fiction!

George Lucas Explains the Birth of Lightsabers

Can Galactic Empires Exist Without Faster-Than-Light Travel?

Why Is Science Fiction So Fascinated By Black Goo?

Holy wow, the full length trailer for Jupiter Ascending is incredible

The awesome spaceship and vehicle concepts of Scott Robertson

Stunning Titanfall intro sequence makes me wish there was a full movie

This sci-fi death match in space short is better than Hollywood movies

io9’s March Madness: Science Fiction vs. Fantasy!

These flash science fiction stories will keep you up all night

ASUS ZenScreen 15.6-Inch Portable Monitor Is Now Cheaper Than Black Friday in Amazon’s Big Spring Sale

Early Wildfires Are Surging Across the US—and Trump’s New Fire Agency Isn’t Ready

INIU Brings Another Power Bank to the Spring Sale as SnapGo Keychain Portable Charger Drops to Its Lowest Price

Attorney Hit With Historic Fine for Citing AI-Generated Cases

Travelers Experiencing the Longest Security Lines in TSA History

Could There Be a ‘Project Hail Mary’ Sequel?

Meta Has More Smart Glasses Coming Whether You Want Them or Not

Apple Requires Device-Level Age Verification in the UK Now. Could the US Be Next?

Sonos Play Review: Call It a Comeback

Sonos Era 100 SL Review: The Cheapest Way Into Wired Sonos Sound

Asus ROG’s Massive Swift OLED Gaming Monitor Epitomizes Excess in the Best Way

The Ikea Varmblixt Smart Lamp Fills a Donut Hole in My Life

Nothing Headphone A vs. Headphone 1: Which Pair of ANC Wireless Headphones Wins?

Asus ROG’s Cetra Open Wireless Gaming Earbuds Might Be Better Than Wearing a Headset

Nintendo’s Talking Flower Is Annoying as Hell. I Love It

Level Lock Pro Review: As Good as a Secret Smart Lock Gets

Let us help find what you are looking for...

The io9 Manifesto: Science Is Political