Isaac Asimov's Robot City
Encyclopedia
Isaac Asimov's Robot City is a series of novels written by various authors and loosely connected to Isaac Asimov
's Robot Series
. It takes place between The Robots of Dawn
and Robots and Empire
. The novels were written in response to a writing challenge issued by Asimov to write a series involving the Three Laws of Robotics
, which brought about a collaboration of several talented authors. Asimov provided outlines for stories which filled in the gap between Asimov's own robot stories and his Foundation series, explaining the disappearance of the robots prior to the establishment of the galactic empire. Isaac Asimov's Robots and Aliens spun off from this series and also features Derec and Ariel, two of the main characters. Robot City
was also released as a mystery game for the PC in 1995. The player takes the role of Derec.
and together the two disprove their role in a murder of an unknown human to the robots. Fleeing an increasingly dangerous Robot City, Derec and Ariel journey to Earth
to find the city's creator, the insane Dr. Avery and learn their true identities. As the series goes on, Both Ariel and Derec are repeatedly asked to confront more questions as old ones are answered all of which, no matter how broad, always seem to connect with Robot City.
The series largely delves into the psychology of the Three Laws of Robotics
and their interpretations when dealing with obscure scenarios, such as levels or priority in conflicting orders, a human brain in a robot body, and do the laws apply to non-human, but sentient beings. It also addresses, in passing, differences in interpretation of the First Law, namely, the difference between physical harm and psychological harm.
Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov was an American author and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, best known for his works of science fiction and for his popular science books. Asimov was one of the most prolific writers of all time, having written or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000...
's Robot Series
Isaac Asimov's Robot Series
Isaac Asimov's Robot Series is a series of short stories and novels by Isaac Asimov featuring positronic robots.- Short stories :Most of Asimov's robot short stories are set in the first age of positronic robotics and space exploration...
. It takes place between The Robots of Dawn
The Robots of Dawn
The Robots of Dawn is a "whodunit" science fiction novel by Isaac Asimov, first published in 1983. It is the third novel in Asimov's Robot series.It was nominated for both the Hugo and Locus Awards in 1984.- Plot summary :...
and Robots and Empire
Robots and Empire
Robots and Empire is science fiction novel written by the American author Isaac Asimov and published by Doubleday Books in 1985. It is part of Asimov's Robot series, consisting of many short stories and novels....
. The novels were written in response to a writing challenge issued by Asimov to write a series involving the Three Laws of Robotics
Three Laws of Robotics
The Three Laws of Robotics are a set of rules devised by the science fiction author Isaac Asimov and later added to. The rules are introduced in his 1942 short story "Runaround", although they were foreshadowed in a few earlier stories...
, which brought about a collaboration of several talented authors. Asimov provided outlines for stories which filled in the gap between Asimov's own robot stories and his Foundation series, explaining the disappearance of the robots prior to the establishment of the galactic empire. Isaac Asimov's Robots and Aliens spun off from this series and also features Derec and Ariel, two of the main characters. Robot City
Robot City (game)
Robot City is a graphic adventure game developed by Brooklyn Multimedia and published by Byron Preiss Multimedia. It was released on December 31, 1995 for Macintosh and Windows 95...
was also released as a mystery game for the PC in 1995. The player takes the role of Derec.
Robot City
The Robot City novels begin revolving around Derec, a man who has no memory of who he was. Derec journeys to Robot City, a city almost entirely composed of robots. There, Derec meets another mysterious person named ArielAriel
Ariel may refer to:-Film:*Ariel Award, a Mexican Academy of Film award*Ariel , a 1988 Finnish film by Aki Kaurismäki-People:*Ariel , any of several real or fictional people of that name...
and together the two disprove their role in a murder of an unknown human to the robots. Fleeing an increasingly dangerous Robot City, Derec and Ariel journey to Earth
Earth (Foundation universe)
This article is on the history of Earth, as presented in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series, Robot Series, and Empire Series.- Ancient :* 1982: Susan Calvin born...
to find the city's creator, the insane Dr. Avery and learn their true identities. As the series goes on, Both Ariel and Derec are repeatedly asked to confront more questions as old ones are answered all of which, no matter how broad, always seem to connect with Robot City.
The series largely delves into the psychology of the Three Laws of Robotics
Three Laws of Robotics
The Three Laws of Robotics are a set of rules devised by the science fiction author Isaac Asimov and later added to. The rules are introduced in his 1942 short story "Runaround", although they were foreshadowed in a few earlier stories...
and their interpretations when dealing with obscure scenarios, such as levels or priority in conflicting orders, a human brain in a robot body, and do the laws apply to non-human, but sentient beings. It also addresses, in passing, differences in interpretation of the First Law, namely, the difference between physical harm and psychological harm.
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- OdysseyIsaac Asimov's Robot City: OdysseyIsaac Asimov's Robot City: Odyssey is a young adult science fiction novel written in 1987 by Michael P. Kube-McDowell. It is part of the series Isaac Asimov's Robot City, inspired by Isaac Asimov's robot series. The 1995 computer game Robot City is based on the plot of Odyssey.-The book:Derec, a...
by Michael P. Kube-McDowellMichael P. Kube-McDowellMichael Paul Kube-McDowell is a science fiction novelist. He has also dabbled in music, written for television, been a stringer for a daily newspaper, and published short fiction, reviews, assorted nonfiction and erotica. He was honored for teaching excellence by the 1985 White House Commission on...
(1987) - SuspicionIsaac Asimov's Robot City: SuspicionIsaac Asimov's Robot City: Suspicion is a book written in 1987 by Mike McQuay. It is part of the series Isaac Asimov's Robot City, who are inspired on Isaac Asimov's robot series.- Plot summary :...
by Mike McQuayMike McQuayMichael Dennis McQuay was an American science fiction writer. His series include Mathew Swain, Ramon and Morgan, Executioner, and SuperBolan. The Book of Justice series he wrote as Jack Arnett. He also wrote the second of the Isaac Asimov's Robot City novels. His non-series novel Memories was...
(1987) - CyborgIsaac Asimov's Robot City: CyborgIsaac Asimov's Robot City: Cyborg is a book written in 1987 by William F. Wu. It is part of the series Isaac Asimov's Robot City, which are inspired on Isaac Asimov's robot series, and his Foundation novels.- Plot summary :...
by William F. WuWilliam F. WuWilliam F. Wu is a Chinese-American science fiction author. He published his first story in 1977. Since then, Wu has written thirteen published novels, one scholarly work, and a collection of short stories...
(1987) - ProdigyIsaac Asimov's Robot City: ProdigyIsaac Asimov's Robot City: Prodigy is a book written in 1988 by Arthur Byron Cover. It is part of the series Isaac Asimov's Robot City, who are inspired on Isaac Asimov's robot series.- Plot summary :...
by Arthur Byron CoverArthur Byron CoverArthur Byron Cover is a science fiction author.Cover attended the Clarion Writer's SF Workshop in New Orleans in 1971, and made his first professional short-story sale to Harlan Ellison's The Last Dangerous Visions...
(1988) - RefugeIsaac Asimov's Robot City: RefugeIsaac Asimov's Robot City: Refuge is a book written in 1988 by Rob Chilson. It is part of the series Isaac Asimov's Robot City, which is based on Isaac Asimov's robot series. It was Rob Chilson's return to writing at novel length after a break of over a decade.- Plot summary :Derec, Ariel, their...
by Rob ChilsonRob ChilsonRobert Chilson is a science fiction author who wrote memorable short stories during the 1980s. He was discovered by John W. Campbell and wrote many stories for Analog including collaborations with William F...
(1988) - PerihelionIsaac Asimov's Robot City: PerihelionIsaac Asimov's Robot City: Perihelion is a book written in 1988 by William F. Wu. It is part of the series Isaac Asimov's Robot City, which was inspired by Isaac Asimov's robot series.- Plot summary :...
by William F. WuWilliam F. WuWilliam F. Wu is a Chinese-American science fiction author. He published his first story in 1977. Since then, Wu has written thirteen published novels, one scholarly work, and a collection of short stories...
(1988)
- Odyssey