Aliens or not
- Thread starter Brian-MGT
- Start date
Kwyndig
First Post
Really depends on how they're done in the individual setting. If it's just 'aliens because we wouldn't be sci-fi without aliens', or 'aliens to replace D&D races' then no, I don't like it. Some of my most satisfying campaigns have had aliens, but others have been human-only (although I did slide the definition of human a bit on those, genetic engineering is fun!).
Basically, if the aliens really feel like they are a part of the setting, then I'll like it. If they seem tacked on for various reasons (like some of the aliens in the Star*Drive campaign setting, sadly enough), then I might just drop them entirely. Hell, I've even done that with humans once or twice, when it was obvious that humans were simply included to have an option for players who couldn't 'get' an alien viewpoint.
Basically, if the aliens really feel like they are a part of the setting, then I'll like it. If they seem tacked on for various reasons (like some of the aliens in the Star*Drive campaign setting, sadly enough), then I might just drop them entirely. Hell, I've even done that with humans once or twice, when it was obvious that humans were simply included to have an option for players who couldn't 'get' an alien viewpoint.
As with the above poster, to me it goes with the setting. Firefly with aliens wont fly. Star Wars without aliens wont fly.
Personally I like aliens to match the setting and that serve a purpose or aliens that are cool. A universe of Star Trek aliens doesn't appeal to me, then again Ewoks don't either.
Personally I like aliens to match the setting and that serve a purpose or aliens that are cool. A universe of Star Trek aliens doesn't appeal to me, then again Ewoks don't either.
Turanil
First Post
I don't like the kind of aliens portrayed in star-wars. It's purely space-opera nonsense IMO: humans with latex disguises. For me aliens should be extremely different, very difficult to deal with, and unfathomable. As such, they should be restricted as NPCs monsters, not playable races.
Yet a couple of alien races could be created that are akin to humans, but have different racial traits: genetically altered humans, or some alien race which was involved with humans for a so long time (even if behind the scene) that they could eventually associate with them and understand them (example: some grey).
Yet a couple of alien races could be created that are akin to humans, but have different racial traits: genetically altered humans, or some alien race which was involved with humans for a so long time (even if behind the scene) that they could eventually associate with them and understand them (example: some grey).
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Ymdar
Explorer
Yep. I agree with Turanil.
Aliens who have 2 arms, 2 legs, and 1 head (with some minor changes to the face) are only humans in disguise. I think this is silly. (I apologise to all of you Star Trek fans). The "alien" in the Alien movie was cool. Also the aliens in the Half-Life computer game were cool.
The Old Ones in Call of Cthulu were cool, because a) they were inhuman b) they were incomprehensible to the human mind c) they had cool powers d) they were not entirely material
If you intend aliens as PC races, then you should include some of the human mentality into them, and somewhat humanlike appearance...but if you take a look at the web enhancement of d20 Future (More heroic aliens) there are some aliens who are not humanlike.
As it has been already said, aliens are entirely up to the setting.
Aliens who have 2 arms, 2 legs, and 1 head (with some minor changes to the face) are only humans in disguise. I think this is silly. (I apologise to all of you Star Trek fans). The "alien" in the Alien movie was cool. Also the aliens in the Half-Life computer game were cool.
The Old Ones in Call of Cthulu were cool, because a) they were inhuman b) they were incomprehensible to the human mind c) they had cool powers d) they were not entirely material
If you intend aliens as PC races, then you should include some of the human mentality into them, and somewhat humanlike appearance...but if you take a look at the web enhancement of d20 Future (More heroic aliens) there are some aliens who are not humanlike.
As it has been already said, aliens are entirely up to the setting.
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GlassJaw
Hero
Well it obviously depends on the setting and game itself. The first thing I think of when I hear "aliens" though is the Alien movies, which I'm a big fan of. So if you were running a space marine/bug hunt type of game, sign me up!!
If you're talking about Alien Invaders from Mars campy sci-fi, ehh, I'd try it out in a one-shot maybe.
I tend to prefer aliens that are nasty and umm, alien.
Cthulhu is a great example.
While I kind of agree, that is the point of the SW universe after all. SW is supposed to be a completely integrated and universal setting where all races are on "equal" terms.
Calico_Jack73
First Post
I find that HR Giger's "Aliens" have become cliche' in Sci-Fi gaming. In pretty much every Sci-Fi game I've ever played there has been at least one adventure involving either a super stealthy bug or a innumerable horde of bugs with the goal being to survive their onslaught. I try to stay away from it now because usually there is some serious railroading involved in setting up the adventure. You have to take away the character's obvious means of escape to keep them from just hopping back in their ship to escape the situation.
Desdichado
Legend
Some of my best friends are aliens.Brian-MGT said:
But maybe you have a more specific question?
The Shaman
First Post
It depends on the setting.
Space opera? I love it, and I love the genre conventions, which mean the aliens are at least vaguely humanoid - otherwise you can't have the obligatory alien princess falling in love with the human hero without bordering on bestiality. If the setting involves cutlasses, ray guns, and giant riding lizards, the aliens (or most of 'em) should be humanoid.
Hard science fiction? The aliens are likely to be that gray-green lichen-looking film covering the rocks over there - and yes, it's a highly intelligent species.
I think this is one of the most challenging things to make "believable" in a hard sci-fi setting. One of the pass-arounds I've used is to postulate a common origin for certain species - many alien races are derived from one ancestor race and represent divergent evolution, for example. Another is to assume a certain level of convergent evolution - perhaps the bilaterally symmetrical body plan is ultimately the most efficient for carbon-based lifeforms on earth-like planets? Right now our sample set is too small to draw any firm conclusions.
There are ways to have humanoid-ish lifeforms in a hard sci-fi setting if you want them - the kzin of Larry Niven's Known Space are no less believable than puppeteers, IMHO. (BTW, Ymdar, the alien in the Aliens saga is humanoid and looked like a person in a really well-done latex suit, and it was still cool.)
Space opera? I love it, and I love the genre conventions, which mean the aliens are at least vaguely humanoid - otherwise you can't have the obligatory alien princess falling in love with the human hero without bordering on bestiality. If the setting involves cutlasses, ray guns, and giant riding lizards, the aliens (or most of 'em) should be humanoid.
Hard science fiction? The aliens are likely to be that gray-green lichen-looking film covering the rocks over there - and yes, it's a highly intelligent species.
I think this is one of the most challenging things to make "believable" in a hard sci-fi setting. One of the pass-arounds I've used is to postulate a common origin for certain species - many alien races are derived from one ancestor race and represent divergent evolution, for example. Another is to assume a certain level of convergent evolution - perhaps the bilaterally symmetrical body plan is ultimately the most efficient for carbon-based lifeforms on earth-like planets? Right now our sample set is too small to draw any firm conclusions.
There are ways to have humanoid-ish lifeforms in a hard sci-fi setting if you want them - the kzin of Larry Niven's Known Space are no less believable than puppeteers, IMHO. (BTW, Ymdar, the alien in the Aliens saga is humanoid and looked like a person in a really well-done latex suit, and it was still cool.)
