Cancer

Automated starcraft that first appeared in Irem's 1988 arcade video game shoot-em-up R-Type [the game title refers to the reproductive strategy in which an organism gives birth to large numbers of offspring but leaves them to fend for themselves--survival of the fittest; in comparison, humans typify the "K-Type" approach where few young are produced but considerable time/energy is spent by the parent(s) trying to ensure their continued existance]. Cancers are armed with twin, wrist-mounted, plasma cannons. These robotic adversaries aren't terribly fast, but their swarming tactics usually compensate for what they lack in maneuverability. Cancers are but one of numerous threats the player will have to contend with as they pilot Earth's R-9 fighter ship on its mission to eradicate the deadly threat of the Bydo Empire.

Like a number of software developers before, and after, them, Irem borrowed elements from H.R. Giger's Alien design when making R-Type; the Cancer's head, which is quite similar to the famous xenomorph's, albeit robotized, is but one example of this.

Materials:
Newsprint, cardboard, tissue paper, white paper, whit glue, hot glue, wire twist ties, and acrylic paint.

Dimensions*:
(* The numbers given are approximations, as the maximum height/width of this figure can vary considerably depending on how the joints are positioned.)
5.0 cm/2.0 in. x 5.0 cm/2.0 in. (highest point x widest point)

Articulation:
Twenty-three points total: Neck, thrusters (2), arms (18), and lower assembly (2).

Time:
Roughly four days; July 26-29, 2008.

For comparison purposes, below is (1) an animated NEC TurboGrafx-16 Cancer game sprite, (2) a swarm of Cancers converging on the R-9 in the first level of R-Type, and (3) the Sega Master System instruction manual artwork/description for Cancer.

•   Hardcore Gaming 101 R-Type article.


•   R-Type (NEC TurboGrafx-16, Sega Master System, Sony Playstation, and Nintendo Game Boy) video games and instruction manuals.

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