Alan wondered, Why are Haxlards as well as most of the other alien species I remember seeing online humanoid?

According to various scientists, the leading hypothesis is—

Stop.

The senator, a woman in a navy blue pantsuit, stood up, walking up to the podium. Alan didn’t see a microphone, yet he could hear her when she spoke.

“Welcome to the Game. It is my great pleasure to speak with you today. I’m sure you are anticipating the adventures you might have, the wonders of this brave new world. But I want to stress one point. If humanity hopes to prosper in the days ahead everyone must remember this one, specific rule.”

Wait, this is just a game, right? Alan thought.

“The Game is not just a game,” the senator said.

Affirmative, Eve answered.

There was a pause.

The senator raised her hands, speaking louder and faster.

“The Game is war, on an intergalactic scale. The territory and resources of every nation in the universe is based upon their standing in the Game. We are told by the Haxlards that once there was a great war between the Predecessors and another sentient race, the Lords of Life. It was the final war fought in reality; a war to end all wars.

"Countless lives were lost, planets made inhospitable, but the war continued, year after year. Then, as both sides neared mutually assured extinction, they realized their foolishness, and finished the battle within a virtual space instead, simulating all the forces they had in real life, both sides agreeing to surrender should they lose this virtual war, this game.

"To ensure whichever side lost actually surrendered, both races created a neutral machine fleet, the Enforcers, who we now know as the real life arm of the Administrators, the moderators of this game. We know little about this First Virtual War, but as far as we can tell the Lords of Life are no more, and the Predecessors still exist.

"War as we know it ceased. Every battle from that point on was fought virtually, the outcome of these virtual battles dictating reality. This virtual world grew, encompassing more of the known universe as the Enforcer fleet spread out, forcing warring planets to accept peace, and the Game.

"How large of a space the Game now encompasses no one really knows. What is known, however, is that the Enforcers hold the largest and only combat fleet in reality. Any group that attempts to create a warship of their own in reality is eradicated." The senator paused.

"That then leads us from these Enforcers to the AI that govern this game, the Administrators. There are many rules, such as not divulging certain pieces of information about the Game to people who have not yet undergone the Tutorial.

"More importantly, newly found sentient races are introduced to the Game, like humanity was, and are given a period of immunity before they are able to be attacked in-game. This will only last three more in-game years.