Why do we only see Tolkien's elves, dwarves, and orcs in medieval fantasy, why not space?

[Rayne870]

Warcarft, Orcs are from a different planet. Might and Magic the whole thing is a fantasy set in a sci-fi.

 

[Freechoice]

Warhammer 40k.

We needs moar dakka!

 

[Hectix777]

I don't think he means Warhammer 40k. I think he means taking Tolkien's world, Middle-Earth, and hurtling it into the future. Literally taking those peoples and those cultures and see what they'd be like so far in the future with spaceships and whatnot.

Spot on, good man.

 

[Zaik]

Didn't read it, but Warhammer 40k.

Though i don't remember if they had a dwarf equivalent, it's been a long time.

 

[Arawn.Chernobog]

Enuff' for ya, hummie?

 

[Dango]

Or why not a modern take on it? I would pay good money to see elves, dwarves, and orcs incorporated into game like Call of Duty, no matter how horrible it might be.

 

[StBishop]

Isn't that essentially what Warhammer 40k is about?

What this guy says.

The real problem with Fantasy Races in Science Fiction is the Science of it all. If you take into account Elven Longevity, Troll Regeneration etc. you have to find a Scientific reason for it. Then there's the idea of having Spacesuits etc. that can accomodate all these staples.

Equally, you could have Xenomorphs in Fantasy (Everquest already did that with the Kerrans) but you're losing out on the things that make something Fantasy or Science Fiction. Fantasy usually relies on Magic taking the place of Science; and Science tends to take the Believability out of Magic. If we have Space Elves, what makes them different from normal aliens that resemble Elves?

Also, Elves, Dwarves and Trolls have a reliance on specific parts of Earth. Transporting them into Space would require a total re-think on their philosophy.

Really easy in high-scifi. It is essentially magic after all. Elves found a way to turn off portions of their DNA that governs aging and cell repair. Their brains being vastly different than humans accounts for no reductions in mental capabilities. Whatever you want man.

Unlike humans, elves in space have the ability to regenerate neurons (nerve cells). Same with brain tissue.

Couple this with your explanation of altering the way/rate of cell repair and you have immortal, space, sci-fi elves.

 

[jawakiller]

Vulcans anyone? I know, that is most illogical Captain. Pointy ears and everything. Though the Vulcans aren't bad-asses. The Elves (even though they are really girly... kind of like Link) are totally epic. Spock and the gang are boring.

 

[Hectix777]

Or why not a modern take on it? I would pay good money to see elves, dwarves, and orcs incorporated into game like Call of Duty, no matter how horrible it might be.

It'd be an interesting thought. Dwarves work tanks, eleves are snipers, humans make up the infantry, orcs could act like the heavy ordenance member of a squad. No one made it big in Vegas without rolling the dice, I'd play it simply for the premise. Of course the uniform would probably be a lot different from current military BDUs or ACUs

 

[Hectix777]

Vulcans anyone? I know, that is most illogical Captain. Pointy ears and everything. Though the Vulcans aren't bad-asses. The Elves (even though they are really girly... kind of like Link) are totally epic. Spock and the gang are boring.

Link is not girly! He wears a kilt, like William Wallace! Was he girly? No, he kicked some British ass! FREEDOM!!!

 

[Mouse One]

AHEM.


Spelljammer.


And we all know how well THAT worked.

Erm. I kinda LIKED Spelljammer (and yes, I'm old enough to have played it when it came out). Then again, I haven't played it in over a decade, so maybe it wasn't all that.

Still, a game based around flying wooden ships and crystal spheres can't be all bad. Maybe it's time for a reboot.

 

[emeraldrafael]

I'll counter with this.

Why do they have to be Tolkien? The whole series (both book and movie) are really jokes and poor if you want to get deep into it.

 

[ThatLankyBastard]

Warha-... aww Damnit...

I don't know... Spock looks pretty Elvish...

 

[DJDarque]

Upon first glance I only read "Why do we only see Tolkien's elves, dwarves and orcs in medieval fantasy?" and I was excited that maybe I wasn't the only one who was tired of the same damn races in every fantasy ever. Then I read the last few words and now I'm sad again.

 

[jawakiller]

Vulcans anyone? I know, that is most illogical Captain. Pointy ears and everything. Though the Vulcans aren't bad-asses. The Elves (even though they are really girly... kind of like Link) are totally epic. Spock and the gang are boring.

Link is not girly! He wears a kilt, like William Wallace! Was he girly? No, he kicked some British ass! FREEDOM!!!

... ... I'm thinking it was totally a skirt. There is a big difference between a skirt and a kilt. A scientific difference! Well you see, uh. Um, uh well... You have to be a ale guzzling scottish bad-ass to wear a kilt. What? Its scientific!

 

[Hectix777]

Upon first glance I only read "Why do we only see Tolkien's elves, dwarves and orcs in medieval fantasy?" and I was excited that maybe I wasn't the only one who was tired of the same damn races in every fantasy ever. Then I read the last few words and now I'm sad again.

Guild Wars 2 is doing something new. Check out the charr, or the asura, or the norn.

 

[Hectix777]

Vulcans anyone? I know, that is most illogical Captain. Pointy ears and everything. Though the Vulcans aren't bad-asses. The Elves (even though they are really girly... kind of like Link) are totally epic. Spock and the gang are boring.

Link is not girly! He wears a kilt, like William Wallace! Was he girly? No, he kicked some British ass! FREEDOM!!!

... ... I'm thinking it was totally a skirt. There is a big difference between a skirt and a kilt. A scientific difference! Well you see, uh. Um, uh well... You have to be a ale guzzling scottish bad-ass to wear a kilt. What? Its scientific!

Kratos wore a skirt, does that make him girly? Would the man who tore off a god's head to use it as a flashlight girly? Think carefully of the consequences that Kratos would rain down on you.

 

[Shock and Awe]

Yeah, we just give new names and call them aliens, even Mass Effect has them. Ever think a Krogan was like an Orc? The Asari seem a little like elves? The Volus are very similar to Dwarfs?

 

[aegix drakan_v1legacy]

Space elves.....

I approve. I very much approve!

 

[Penguinness]

It's actually something I've been working on now. I don't think it's not that uncommon in terms of modelling 3d characters, but it probably is uncommon where games are concerned.

I went for the elvish ears, but felt it wasn't enough, and so added cloven hoofs and a tail.. there wasn't enough to signify it as an alien type thing. However to save time on rigging I've removed the tail now.

Spoiler: I like glowy things