Xenomorph knockoffs

[Srelex]

The original xenomorph design by HR Giger, let's face it, is pretty damn cool and iconic. However, at least in my view, that hasn't stopped the design and concept of it from being emulated quite a few times in science fiction. I mean, just think about the sorts of creatures that have long, elongated heads with Queen-like crests, from Hydralisks, those things from Alone in the Dark, to various types of Tyranid, and then we have aspects more related to the overall concept, like different sorts of creatures that implant their embroyes within a host for them to violently emerge.

So, I think it's pretty much a given that Giger's design has embedded itself that, if they're not outright seeking to rip off or emulate the original xenomorph, designers do so at least subconsciously. Do you agree with my sentiments and the examples I cited, or do you have your own, lesser-known examples?

[Temujin]

As the saying goes, imitation is the highest form of flattery.

Which is not suprisng considering how creatively bankrupt Hollywood and the rest of the entertainment industry is.

I could see throwing something in as a homage, or taking something like Lovecraft's Elder Things and including them as an alien race in your novel, or even talking a basically good idea and developing your own creation based on it. The problem is most are just cookie cutter thinly disguised (if that) knock offs that clearly show that they didn't even try; probably because they couldn't care less about anything other than turning a quick buck.

[Bob the Gunslinger]

In Warhammer 40,000, the genestealers were clearly inspired by the Giger aliens and even began life as a complete knockoff in Space Hulk. However, the background on genestealers has really grown and differentiated them from all the other knockoffs to a point where I feel they can stand on their own merits. In fact, I prefer the background material and presentation for genestealers much more than that for Giger's aliens. Genestealers have also evolved aesthetically enough that they look as much like space dinosaur-human hybrids as they look like Giger aliens, which is a positive.

To summarize my feelings, I think that GW's genestealers turned out to be a rare case of an obvious knockoff that managed to transcend its roots.

[Molyneux]

I was playing Halo 2 with a friend last night, and at least one of the Covenant Elite helmet designs has got to be drawn from that critter - look up the Sangheili Councilor.

[Brother-Captain Gaius]

In Warhammer 40,000, the genestealers were clearly inspired by the Giger aliens and even began life as a complete knockoff in Space Hulk. However, the background on genestealers has really grown and differentiated them from all the other knockoffs to a point where I feel they can stand on their own merits. In fact, I prefer the background material and presentation for genestealers much more than that for Giger's aliens. Genestealers have also evolved aesthetically enough that they look as much like space dinosaur-human hybrids as they look like Giger aliens, which is a positive.

To summarize my feelings, I think that GW's genestealers turned out to be a rare case of an obvious knockoff that managed to transcend its roots.

Well, that's the way that 40k in general works -- it takes typical sci-fi/fantasy cliches and throws them into the meatgrinder of the 41st millenium just to see what comes out the other side. Tyranids are your Alien/Starship Troopers brand of Evil Space Bug, Eldar are your Space Ancients/Elves, Orks is... orks, and so on and so forth. I'd argue that all of 40k's races have become more or less original in their own right, with the caveat that they're all originally founded upon cliches.

[Ford Prefect]

In fact, I prefer the background material and presentation for genestealers much more than that for Giger's aliens.

I think they really took off around the time they got the space limo as an army choice.