Quote from: Dominus NoxAs to planets that couldn't exist, i agree. One of the many failing in that generally boring "Riddick" movie was that the planet crematoria had a breathable atmosphere.

Hah!  We have common ground, I nitpicked that immediately.  I think I was taking a two semester astronomy class at the time, though

Quote from: C.W.RichesonHah!  We have common ground, I nitpicked that immediately.  I think I was taking a two semester astronomy class at the time, though

I ws thinking about it in the theater, along with the fact I was glad I had a pass to get in and hadn't wasted 5$......

Quote from: Mr. AnalyticalTruth Bruv...  Let's be honest... It's magic and magic has no place in SF.

That's the angle I take when people tell me psionics doesn't belong in fantasy. As a form of magic, that's its proper home.

Quote from: Caesar SlaadThat's the angle I take when people tell me psionics doesn't belong in fantasy. As a form of magic, that's its proper home.

I can most definitely get behind the idea that psionics is just an alternative way of doing magic.  In science fiction, however, psionics is meant to be a natural part of the universe and expression of consciousness.  I don't view it as inappropriate except in harder sci-fi.

I'd say that I hate the idea of a galactically famous gangsta-rapping smartworm parasite that gives its model-and-athlete hosts a cut of the profits to use them as a form of eternal youth and marketability.  Too bad I think it's actually, you know, pretty cool.

Especially if you have to smuggle him out of an orbital casino by hiding "him" in a Haagen-Daz container in your carry on luggage.

Quote from: C.W.RichesonI can most definitely get behind the idea that psionics is just an alternative way of doing magic.  In science fiction, however, psionics is meant to be a natural part of the universe and expression of consciousness.  I don't view it as inappropriate except in harder sci-fi.

I also find that, while it is pretty much pseudo-science, it still has enough of an air of trying to be science, that ifeels terribly out of place in fantasy games, much like what Balbinus talked about with "overscientifying" things, in this post in the fantasy thread.

Nox, by your own reasoning we could argue there shouldn't be an Imperium but some kind of atomized patchwork of mid-sized alliances and fully autonomous systems.

What's most loathsome about the Imperium, though, is the nobles in their silly uniforms.

Re. psionics, I'm afraid my response is BLLLLEEEARRRGGHHH.

Psionics may be scifi, but the way rayguns are scifi or the Monster from the Green Lagoon. So, they have no place outside Spaceship Zero.

Lastly, no furries or mecha please.

That's it. Like fantasy, scifi is basically all good. I love it to death.

Imperiums rock, as a rule.

I am put off, however, by a lack of fetishism for Great War-era German stormtroopers.  If I can't have skull-masked, longcoat-clad flamer teams I'm just going to pick up my blocks and go home.

Quote from: Pierce InverarityLastly, no furries or mecha please.

As a genre unto themselves, mecha are fine with me. But I can certainly do without furries even broadly defined, unless we're talking silly anime. The Vargr and Aslan, for example, are also turnoffs for me in Traveller.

Strangely I don't have nearly the same kneejerk response to insect-men and reptile-men.

Quote from: Elliot WilenAs a genre unto themselves, mecha are fine with me. But I can certainly do without furries even broadly defined, unless we're talking silly anime. The Vargr and Aslan, for example, are also turnoffs for me in Traveller.

Strangely I don't have nearly the same kneejerk response to insect-men and reptile-men.

That's 'cause 1) Lizard and insect men are cool, and 2) lizards and insects tend to seem more alien to us than our fellow mammals.

It's sort of like why giant isopods are fucking freaky.

I can roll with a lot of stuff in SF, but I'm not into psionics in my Trav games.  Just not my thing.

I really don't like cross-license pollination.  Keep your goddamned Klingons outta my Star Wars game or I swear I will punch you in the ass.

Er, you can have Kling- uh, Klengons in my Encounter Critical game, though, becuse DUH.

Oh, and another thing.  You start talkin' 'bout Midichlorians, I start swingin' this here shovel what's dipped in flaming tar.  HUUURRRRAAARRRGGH!!!

Re: Psionics in SF.

I sort of accept in in Traveller, but I don't take it as automatic. However, this stance has exposed me to the reality that some players expect magical/psionic abilities NO MATTER THE GAME.

Re: Animal Men.

I've never gotten on with the revulsion here. As long as you don't make it too blatant, I have no problem accepting it. We have no exposure to actual alien races to tell what they will be like. But I consider it highly likely that there are a limited number of possible configurations for limbs (arms, tentacles), skin texture (scales, fleshy, chitinous), skin covering (fur, feathers), facial configurations, and so forth. The chances of alien species showing up with a resemblance to something we are familiar with seems pretty good.

At first, I thought Vargr and Aslan (in Traveller) were kinda dorky.  "Space-dogs?" I said to myself, "0MGWTFXXORZ?!"

Well, not really.  It was more of a "Mehhhh..." response.  I digress.

But further reading changed my mind.  Remember that ad in Dragon that challenged you to pick out the most dangerous combatant between a wolf-dude, a vaguely leonine-guy and a big herbivore that smells funny?  Turns out their cultures are so distinct from your expectations that, by golly, even the space-pooches are interesting.  

For the record, here's how the hypothetical combats woulda gone: The Vargr (wolf-guy) fights for dominance, and he's smaller than you.  If you make him look bad in front of his buddies (or at least show him you can take him), the fight's over.  The Aslan (not a cat, really, but vaguely reminiscent) fights for honor; whoever draws first blood wins, and he's satisfied either way.

The herbivorous K'kree, on the other hand, is an overzealous, arrogant, antagonistic carnivore-hater and will kill your jerky-chewin' ass because he smells it on your breath.  Nasty bastards.

Surprise!

Quote from: Caesar SlaadHowever, this stance has exposed me to the reality that some players expect magical/psionic abilities NO MATTER THE GAME.

Word.

Quotetentacles

Mollusk men are fine by me, too.