Ultronomicon - User contributions [en]

Translations

2005-08-04T20:41:15Z

Arael: /* Translation projects */

==General information==

===Current status===
The resource system is suitable for creating language packs. An add-on package can be created to override any content file.

The game works with [[wikipedia:UTF-8|UTF-8]] encoded [[wikipedia:UNICODE|UNICODE]] characters. The currently available characters are mostly the [[wikipedia:ASCII|ASCII]] characters. The various translation projects use their own characters where needed. Eventually, we will want to have shared font packs.

Currently, all text is in simple text files. Eventually, we'll move to a richer XML-based file format. A conversion tool will be created to convert existing material.

Some text still is hard-coded in the game. This will change at some point in the future.

Currently, only left-to-right writing systems are supported.

Support for non-ascii input in text fields is not present yet.

===Using language packs===
A language pack can be used [[The Ur-Quan Masters Technical FAQ#How do I use add-on packages?|like any other add-on package]].

===Creating language packs===
Language packs are normal add-on packages, which means they will be a .zip file (renamed to .uqm), with in it a directory structure which overrides the files in the default content.

====Text files====
The game expects all of its text files to be in [[wikipedia:UTF-8|UTF-8]] format.

The subtitle files can be found in comm/<race>/<race>.txt in the content tree.

The melee strings for the various ships can be found in the <race>/<race>.txt files.

The text displayed for planetary exploration finds is contained in the ipanims/*.txt files.

The file lbm/starcon.txt contains various other game strings.

The file slides/intro/intro.txt contains the text for the intro sequence, as used by the DOS version of [[Star Control II]]. The files slides/ending/victory1.txt, slides/ending/victory2.txt and slides/ending/final.txt contain the text for the victory slides.

====Hard-coded strings====
There are several places in the game where strings are used that are hard-coded in the source code. Most of those are error strings you may never see, but some are actually important in the game. For now, it would be best to ignore these strings, and translate them when these strings are no longer hard-coded.
If you do translate them at this time, you would need to distribute game binaries of your own.

====Fonts====
If you need additional characters you will need to add appropriate entries to the font dirs slides/slides.fon/, ipanims/lander.fon/, lbm/micro.fon/, lbm/tiny.fon/, lbm/player.fon/, lbm/starcon.fon/ and comm/<race>/<race>.fon/. The number of the file is the UNICODE character code.

====Images====
Some game images include text. A full translation would need modified versions of those. <nowiki>[Insert list of relevant files here]</nowiki>.

====Speech====
If you want to dub the actual speech, you'll need to create new versions of the .ogg files in comm/<race>/ in the content dir. You'll also need to create new .ts files for synchronisation with the subtitles. See [[#Tools|Tools]] below.

====Documentation====
The game comes with several documentation files. In particular the game manual would be a good candidate for translation.

===Tools===
The Russion translation project created a program to make editing the UQM fonts easy. It's available [http://cs.ozerki.net/zap/sc2-rus/ here].

Unix-like systems will have a program '''iconv''' which can be used to easilly change the encoding of a text file (from latin1 to UTF-8 for instance).

A tool for generating the time stamps used to synchronise the speech with the subtitles is available in the official CVS tree of the [[The Ur-Quan Masters]] project, in the '''tools''' module. [http://cvs.sourceforge.net/viewcvs.py/sc2/tools/synch/]

==Translation projects==

===German===
Home page: http://sc2de.berlios.de/

Project site: http://developer.berlios.de/projects/sc2de/

Download: http://developer.berlios.de/project/showfiles.php?group_id=818

CVS tree: http://cvs.berlios.de/cgi-bin/viewcvs.cgi/sc2de/Sternkontrolle/

Forum threads: [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=1952.0], [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2070.0], [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2236.0]

Status: almost complete

===Finnish===
Project site: http://www.kyamk.fi/~vi3dhepe/uqm-fin/index.html

Forum thread: [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2070.0]

Status: almost complete

===Japanese===
There currently is no Japanese translation project underway, but the original 3DO version was also released in Japanese. We have a copy, and if the copyrights allow it, we may be able to add Japanese speech files without much problems.

Bugzilla entry: [http://uqm.stack.nl/cgi-bin/bugs/show_bug.cgi?id=605 #605]

Status: 0% complete

===Portuguese===
No work has been done on a Portuguese translation, but a call for contributors has been made.

Forum threads: [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2044.0], [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2070.0]

Status: 0% complete

===Russian===
Main site: http://cs.ozerki.net/zap/sc2-rus/

Forum threads: [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2070.0], [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=1952.0], [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2221.0]

Status:

===Spanish===
Main site: http://www.custom-creations.org/~starsite/UQM-spa/

Forum threads: [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2070.0] [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2332.0]

Status: just started

===Polish===
Main site: http://uqm.prv.pl
(for now, contact '''arael@tenbit.pl''')

Forum threads: [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2391]

Status: just started

Translations

2005-08-04T20:40:44Z

Arael: /* Polish */

==General information==

===Current status===
The resource system is suitable for creating language packs. An add-on package can be created to override any content file.

The game works with [[wikipedia:UTF-8|UTF-8]] encoded [[wikipedia:UNICODE|UNICODE]] characters. The currently available characters are mostly the [[wikipedia:ASCII|ASCII]] characters. The various translation projects use their own characters where needed. Eventually, we will want to have shared font packs.

Currently, all text is in simple text files. Eventually, we'll move to a richer XML-based file format. A conversion tool will be created to convert existing material.

Some text still is hard-coded in the game. This will change at some point in the future.

Currently, only left-to-right writing systems are supported.

Support for non-ascii input in text fields is not present yet.

===Using language packs===
A language pack can be used [[The Ur-Quan Masters Technical FAQ#How do I use add-on packages?|like any other add-on package]].

===Creating language packs===
Language packs are normal add-on packages, which means they will be a .zip file (renamed to .uqm), with in it a directory structure which overrides the files in the default content.

====Text files====
The game expects all of its text files to be in [[wikipedia:UTF-8|UTF-8]] format.

The subtitle files can be found in comm/<race>/<race>.txt in the content tree.

The melee strings for the various ships can be found in the <race>/<race>.txt files.

The text displayed for planetary exploration finds is contained in the ipanims/*.txt files.

The file lbm/starcon.txt contains various other game strings.

The file slides/intro/intro.txt contains the text for the intro sequence, as used by the DOS version of [[Star Control II]]. The files slides/ending/victory1.txt, slides/ending/victory2.txt and slides/ending/final.txt contain the text for the victory slides.

====Hard-coded strings====
There are several places in the game where strings are used that are hard-coded in the source code. Most of those are error strings you may never see, but some are actually important in the game. For now, it would be best to ignore these strings, and translate them when these strings are no longer hard-coded.
If you do translate them at this time, you would need to distribute game binaries of your own.

====Fonts====
If you need additional characters you will need to add appropriate entries to the font dirs slides/slides.fon/, ipanims/lander.fon/, lbm/micro.fon/, lbm/tiny.fon/, lbm/player.fon/, lbm/starcon.fon/ and comm/<race>/<race>.fon/. The number of the file is the UNICODE character code.

====Images====
Some game images include text. A full translation would need modified versions of those. <nowiki>[Insert list of relevant files here]</nowiki>.

====Speech====
If you want to dub the actual speech, you'll need to create new versions of the .ogg files in comm/<race>/ in the content dir. You'll also need to create new .ts files for synchronisation with the subtitles. See [[#Tools|Tools]] below.

====Documentation====
The game comes with several documentation files. In particular the game manual would be a good candidate for translation.

===Tools===
The Russion translation project created a program to make editing the UQM fonts easy. It's available [http://cs.ozerki.net/zap/sc2-rus/ here].

Unix-like systems will have a program '''iconv''' which can be used to easilly change the encoding of a text file (from latin1 to UTF-8 for instance).

A tool for generating the time stamps used to synchronise the speech with the subtitles is available in the official CVS tree of the [[The Ur-Quan Masters]] project, in the '''tools''' module. [http://cvs.sourceforge.net/viewcvs.py/sc2/tools/synch/]

==Translation projects==

===German===
Home page: http://sc2de.berlios.de/

Project site: http://developer.berlios.de/projects/sc2de/

Download: http://developer.berlios.de/project/showfiles.php?group_id=818

CVS tree: http://cvs.berlios.de/cgi-bin/viewcvs.cgi/sc2de/Sternkontrolle/

Forum threads: [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=1952.0], [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2070.0], [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2236.0]

Status: almost complete

===Finnish===
Project site: http://www.kyamk.fi/~vi3dhepe/uqm-fin/index.html

Forum thread: [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2070.0]

Status: almost complete

===Japanese===
There currently is no Japanese translation project underway, but the original 3DO version was also released in Japanese. We have a copy, and if the copyrights allow it, we may be able to add Japanese speech files without much problems.

Bugzilla entry: [http://uqm.stack.nl/cgi-bin/bugs/show_bug.cgi?id=605 #605]

Status: 0% complete

===Portuguese===
No work has been done on a Portuguese translation, but a call for contributors has been made.

Forum threads: [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2044.0], [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2070.0]

Status: 0% complete

===Russian===
Main site: http://cs.ozerki.net/zap/sc2-rus/

Forum threads: [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2070.0], [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=1952.0], [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2221.0]

Status:

===Spanish===
Main site: http://www.custom-creations.org/~starsite/UQM-spa/

Forum threads: [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2070.0] [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2332.0]

Status: just started

===Polish===
Main site: [http://uqm.prv.pl] (for now, contact '''arael@tenbit.pl''')

Forum threads: [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2391]

Status: just started

Translations

2005-08-04T18:03:48Z

Arael: /* Translation projects */

==General information==

===Current status===
The resource system is suitable for creating language packs. An add-on package can be created to override any content file.

The game works with [[wikipedia:UTF-8|UTF-8]] encoded [[wikipedia:UNICODE|UNICODE]] characters. The currently available characters are mostly the [[wikipedia:ASCII|ASCII]] characters. The various translation projects use their own characters where needed. Eventually, we will want to have shared font packs.

Currently, all text is in simple text files. Eventually, we'll move to a richer XML-based file format. A conversion tool will be created to convert existing material.

Some text still is hard-coded in the game. This will change at some point in the future.

Currently, only left-to-right writing systems are supported.

Support for non-ascii input in text fields is not present yet.

===Using language packs===
A language pack can be used [[The Ur-Quan Masters Technical FAQ#How do I use add-on packages?|like any other add-on package]].

===Creating language packs===
Language packs are normal add-on packages, which means they will be a .zip file (renamed to .uqm), with in it a directory structure which overrides the files in the default content.

====Text files====
The game expects all of its text files to be in [[wikipedia:UTF-8|UTF-8]] format.

The subtitle files can be found in comm/<race>/<race>.txt in the content tree.

The melee strings for the various ships can be found in the <race>/<race>.txt files.

The text displayed for planetary exploration finds is contained in the ipanims/*.txt files.

The file lbm/starcon.txt contains various other game strings.

The file slides/intro/intro.txt contains the text for the intro sequence, as used by the DOS version of [[Star Control II]]. The files slides/ending/victory1.txt, slides/ending/victory2.txt and slides/ending/final.txt contain the text for the victory slides.

====Hard-coded strings====
There are several places in the game where strings are used that are hard-coded in the source code. Most of those are error strings you may never see, but some are actually important in the game. For now, it would be best to ignore these strings, and translate them when these strings are no longer hard-coded.
If you do translate them at this time, you would need to distribute game binaries of your own.

====Fonts====
If you need additional characters you will need to add appropriate entries to the font dirs slides/slides.fon/, ipanims/lander.fon/, lbm/micro.fon/, lbm/tiny.fon/, lbm/player.fon/, lbm/starcon.fon/ and comm/<race>/<race>.fon/. The number of the file is the UNICODE character code.

====Images====
Some game images include text. A full translation would need modified versions of those. <nowiki>[Insert list of relevant files here]</nowiki>.

====Speech====
If you want to dub the actual speech, you'll need to create new versions of the .ogg files in comm/<race>/ in the content dir. You'll also need to create new .ts files for synchronisation with the subtitles. See [[#Tools|Tools]] below.

====Documentation====
The game comes with several documentation files. In particular the game manual would be a good candidate for translation.

===Tools===
The Russion translation project created a program to make editing the UQM fonts easy. It's available [http://cs.ozerki.net/zap/sc2-rus/ here].

Unix-like systems will have a program '''iconv''' which can be used to easilly change the encoding of a text file (from latin1 to UTF-8 for instance).

A tool for generating the time stamps used to synchronise the speech with the subtitles is available in the official CVS tree of the [[The Ur-Quan Masters]] project, in the '''tools''' module. [http://cvs.sourceforge.net/viewcvs.py/sc2/tools/synch/]

==Translation projects==

===German===
Home page: http://sc2de.berlios.de/

Project site: http://developer.berlios.de/projects/sc2de/

Download: http://developer.berlios.de/project/showfiles.php?group_id=818

CVS tree: http://cvs.berlios.de/cgi-bin/viewcvs.cgi/sc2de/Sternkontrolle/

Forum threads: [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=1952.0], [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2070.0], [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2236.0]

Status: almost complete

===Finnish===
Project site: http://www.kyamk.fi/~vi3dhepe/uqm-fin/index.html

Forum thread: [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2070.0]

Status: almost complete

===Japanese===
There currently is no Japanese translation project underway, but the original 3DO version was also released in Japanese. We have a copy, and if the copyrights allow it, we may be able to add Japanese speech files without much problems.

Bugzilla entry: [http://uqm.stack.nl/cgi-bin/bugs/show_bug.cgi?id=605 #605]

Status: 0% complete

===Portuguese===
No work has been done on a Portuguese translation, but a call for contributors has been made.

Forum threads: [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2070.0], [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2070.0]

Status: 0% complete

===Russian===
Main site: http://cs.ozerki.net/zap/sc2-rus/

Forum threads: [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2070.0], [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=1952.0], [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2221.0]

Status:

===Spanish===
Main site: http://www.custom-creations.org/~starsite/UQM-spa/

Forum threads: [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2070.0] [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2332.0]

Status: just started

===Polish===
Main site: to come soon (for now, contact '''arael@tenbit.pl''')

Forum threads: [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2391]

Status: just started

Translations

2005-08-04T18:02:50Z

Arael: /* Translation projects */

==General information==

===Current status===
The resource system is suitable for creating language packs. An add-on package can be created to override any content file.

The game works with [[wikipedia:UTF-8|UTF-8]] encoded [[wikipedia:UNICODE|UNICODE]] characters. The currently available characters are mostly the [[wikipedia:ASCII|ASCII]] characters. The various translation projects use their own characters where needed. Eventually, we will want to have shared font packs.

Currently, all text is in simple text files. Eventually, we'll move to a richer XML-based file format. A conversion tool will be created to convert existing material.

Some text still is hard-coded in the game. This will change at some point in the future.

Currently, only left-to-right writing systems are supported.

Support for non-ascii input in text fields is not present yet.

===Using language packs===
A language pack can be used [[The Ur-Quan Masters Technical FAQ#How do I use add-on packages?|like any other add-on package]].

===Creating language packs===
Language packs are normal add-on packages, which means they will be a .zip file (renamed to .uqm), with in it a directory structure which overrides the files in the default content.

====Text files====
The game expects all of its text files to be in [[wikipedia:UTF-8|UTF-8]] format.

The subtitle files can be found in comm/<race>/<race>.txt in the content tree.

The melee strings for the various ships can be found in the <race>/<race>.txt files.

The text displayed for planetary exploration finds is contained in the ipanims/*.txt files.

The file lbm/starcon.txt contains various other game strings.

The file slides/intro/intro.txt contains the text for the intro sequence, as used by the DOS version of [[Star Control II]]. The files slides/ending/victory1.txt, slides/ending/victory2.txt and slides/ending/final.txt contain the text for the victory slides.

====Hard-coded strings====
There are several places in the game where strings are used that are hard-coded in the source code. Most of those are error strings you may never see, but some are actually important in the game. For now, it would be best to ignore these strings, and translate them when these strings are no longer hard-coded.
If you do translate them at this time, you would need to distribute game binaries of your own.

====Fonts====
If you need additional characters you will need to add appropriate entries to the font dirs slides/slides.fon/, ipanims/lander.fon/, lbm/micro.fon/, lbm/tiny.fon/, lbm/player.fon/, lbm/starcon.fon/ and comm/<race>/<race>.fon/. The number of the file is the UNICODE character code.

====Images====
Some game images include text. A full translation would need modified versions of those. <nowiki>[Insert list of relevant files here]</nowiki>.

====Speech====
If you want to dub the actual speech, you'll need to create new versions of the .ogg files in comm/<race>/ in the content dir. You'll also need to create new .ts files for synchronisation with the subtitles. See [[#Tools|Tools]] below.

====Documentation====
The game comes with several documentation files. In particular the game manual would be a good candidate for translation.

===Tools===
The Russion translation project created a program to make editing the UQM fonts easy. It's available [http://cs.ozerki.net/zap/sc2-rus/ here].

Unix-like systems will have a program '''iconv''' which can be used to easilly change the encoding of a text file (from latin1 to UTF-8 for instance).

A tool for generating the time stamps used to synchronise the speech with the subtitles is available in the official CVS tree of the [[The Ur-Quan Masters]] project, in the '''tools''' module. [http://cvs.sourceforge.net/viewcvs.py/sc2/tools/synch/]

==Translation projects==

===German===
Home page: http://sc2de.berlios.de/

Project site: http://developer.berlios.de/projects/sc2de/

Download: http://developer.berlios.de/project/showfiles.php?group_id=818

CVS tree: http://cvs.berlios.de/cgi-bin/viewcvs.cgi/sc2de/Sternkontrolle/

Forum threads: [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=1952.0], [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2070.0], [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2236.0]

Status: almost complete

===Finnish===
Project site: http://www.kyamk.fi/~vi3dhepe/uqm-fin/index.html

Forum thread: [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2070.0]

Status: almost complete

===Japanese===
There currently is no Japanese translation project underway, but the original 3DO version was also released in Japanese. We have a copy, and if the copyrights allow it, we may be able to add Japanese speech files without much problems.

Bugzilla entry: [http://uqm.stack.nl/cgi-bin/bugs/show_bug.cgi?id=605 #605]

Status: 0% complete

===Portuguese===
No work has been done on a Portuguese translation, but a call for contributors has been made.

Forum threads: [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2070.0], [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2070.0]

Status: 0% complete

===Russian===
Main site: http://cs.ozerki.net/zap/sc2-rus/

Forum threads: [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2070.0], [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=1952.0], [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2221.0]

Status:

===Spanish===
Main site: http://www.custom-creations.org/~starsite/UQM-spa/

Forum threads: [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2070.0] [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2332.0]

Status: just started

===Polish===
Main site: to come soon (for now, contact '''arael@tenbit.pl''')

Forum threads: [http://uqm.stack.nl/forum/index.php?topic=2391]

Talk:Melnorme

2005-08-03T00:49:02Z

Arael:

"if one manages to find enough credits the Melnorme might even sell the information about turning purple"

This is one of the more debated topics on many forums :)

So what _I've_ heard (from the TFB chats), is that your bio data rolls over at 64k (quite short of the 200,000 necessary), and secondly, you're never given the option to ask about the color changes again after the first occurance (which happens when you are guarenteed to have percisely 0 credits).

[[User:Mudlock|Mudlock]] 20:08, 21 Oct 2004 (CEST)

Indeed. The maximum number of credits you could possibly have is 65535. Note that in the 3DO version and UQM it takes 12,000,000 credits. Perhaps the change was made so that people won't even try to get it.
The fact that you're never given the option after the first encounter doesn't mean that it wouldn't appear again after you have acquired the necessary credits though. -- [[User:Svdb|SvdB]] 12:20, 22 Oct 2004 (CEST)

The clincher is that there is no answer available in the Melnorme dialogue files, at least not that I could find. -[[User:Fadookie|Fadookie]] 19:38, 22 Oct 2004 (CEST)

There isn't. I was just saying that you never being given the option after the first time isn't an argument per se for that they will never give you the info. -- [[User:Svdb|SvdB]] 22:39, 22 Oct 2004 (CEST)

The Melnorme race entry is not a good place for a list of trade goods you can buy from the Melnorme. I recommend moving this to a separate entry.

What does the last character (the little bracket) in Melnorme's pronunciation denote? I can't find it in my notation tables... --[[User:Arael|Arael]]

Talk:Avenger

2005-08-03T00:44:41Z

Arael:

I wonder, how can a flamethrower work in the vacuum of space? Doesn't fire need oxygen to burn?
:: Maybe the ejected mix contains the oxygen as well as the fuel. Or maybe it it's an entirely different chemical reaction that just resembles burning. -- [[User:Svdb|SvdB]]

:: Think "spray of corrosive fluid" -Arael

In the C64 version, the Avenger is coloured lime green, making it look much more like a Klingon "Bird of Prey" ship. Most likely the people porting it to the C64 were Star trek fans and wanted to emphasise the Avengers influences. (it was clearly inlfuenced by the BoP since even in SC1 the Avengers could cloak, much like the BoP can, they also have similar shapes)

Orz

2005-08-03T00:35:21Z

Arael: /* Translating Orz Communications */

{{RaceBox|name=Orz|image=OrzComm.png|caption=*Happy Campers*|homeworld=Gamma Vulpeculae I|coordinates=371.3 : 253.7|organizations=The [[New Alliance of Free Stars]]|ship=[[Nemesis]]}}
The '''Orz''' are — or perhaps "is" — an alien species first encountered by [[The Captain]] in the space near where the [[Androsynth]] had been known to reside. Despite a notable distaste for the human-derived Androsynth and for the mysterious [[Arilou]], the Orz happily joined with the [[New Alliance of Free Stars]] and provided its powerful [[Nemesis]] starship designs to aid in the Second War.

==Description==

Orz appear as gill-breathers who resemble yellow parrotfishes with eyestalks, though it is not known if this is their actual true form. It is likely that Orz come from another dimension, and when asked about their origins, Orz explain that the [[Arilou]] are from *above* and that Orz is from *below*. The precise meaning of this explanation is still up to debate, although the Arilou make it clear that Orz is not from [[QuasiSpace]].

There has been some discussion that the Orz as they are seen in normal space are actually a projection of some higher-dimensional being studying our reality. The Orz-entity refers to what is seen of itself in the known dimensions as its *fingers* and explains that it is not like other races who are *many bubbles*. The Orz sometimes refer to themselves in the singular third person, although whether this is another quirk of the Orz's odd speech pattern or a reference to their true essence is unclear.

==Origin==

The Orz are a newcomer to [[TrueSpace]] that appeared suddenly in the vicinity of the Vulpeculae constellation, the adopted homeworlds of the [[Androsynth]]. As the Androsynth vanished about the same time Orz arrived, it is reasonable to think that the Orz did something to them, but asking the Orz about the subject infuriates them. It is possible that the [[Dimensional Fatigue]] Experiments that were being performed by the Androsynth (and apparently the [[Taalo]] before them) may have been what brought the constellation to the Orz's attention.

Just where the Orz resided before arriving in the area of Vulpeculae is unknown. The Orz indicate that they like TrueSpace and even prefer TrueSpace over their origin dimension and are now engaged in the process of fully moving to TrueSpace.

==Relations with other races==
Only a few of the races in Star Control II mention the Orz at all. This is not surprising as they appear to be new in TrueSpace. The relations that they do have are as mysterious as the Orz themselves.

===Androsynth===
The appearance of the Orz coincided with the disappearance of the Androsynth from the same location. In fact, both the Arilou and the Orz themselves suggest that it was the [[IDF]] research of the Androsynth which enabled the Orz to come to TrueSpace.

Whether the Orz themselves were the cause for the disappearance of the Androsynth is the subject of a lot of speculation. Evidence for it exists, but is very circumstantial. Whatever their involvement, asking enough about the Androsynth is enough reason for the Orz to attack you.

===Arilou LaLee'lay===
Dialogs with both the Arilou and Orz suggest that they have had contact outside of TrueSpace. The Orz do not like the Arilou very much, and complain that the Arilou always "*jumping in front*". Conversely, the Arilou warn not to trust the Orz, as they are dangerous.

===Melnorme===
The Melnorme know of the existence of the Orz, and that they appeared when the Androsynth disappeared. Whether they've met them in person is unclear. While there is a Melnorme trader in Orz space, the Orz never mention Melnorme.

===Spathi===
The Spathi also mention that the Orz entered this space when the Androsynth disappeared. They think that they are creepy and warn against an alliance. This is all based on their own speculation though. Whether they met the Orz in person or only heard about them from description is unclear.

===Taalo===
The Orz mention the Taalo on several occasions. They seem to have been in contact over a longer period of time. According to the Orz, the Taalo have fled Truespace to some space where they can go to themselves. The Orz refer to Delta Vulpeculae as the Taalo playground, where the Taalo "are making *Time jokes*". As the Orz's language isn't very clear, it may be that this is all in the past though.

===VUX===
The Orz briefly mention the VUX, as being "*silly cows*" for asking too many questions about the Androsynth, which prompted the Orz to attack the VUX.

==Theories==
There are various theories to explain the various mysteries surrounding the Orz.

===The Orz are [[They|Them]]===
There are theories that the Orz are in fact the ghost-like creatures that the Androsyth IDF researchers ran into. They are mostly based on the fact that ''They'' were coming into this world just before the Androsynth disappeared, which was when the Orz appeared.

Even when accepting that the timing of the appearance of the Orz is not a coincidence, they do not have to be ''Them''. They could have detected the Androsynth in the same way as ''They'' did.

===The Orz killed the Androsynth===
This is based again on the timing of the appearance of the Orz and the disappearance of the Androsynth, combined with the fact that the Orz refuse to talk about the Androsynth.

This is suggested by both the Melnorme and the Spathi. In the same dialogs however, it has been made clear that they don't actually know that. This may suggest that this theory is what the creators of the game '''want''' the player to think, in which case it's probably not what has "actually" happened.

===The Orz are protecting races by killing those that ask too much questions about the Androsynth===
This reflects the remarks made by the Arilou about parasites from beyond that can detect you when you show yourself. If you reject the theory that the Orz killed the Androsynth, this would provide an alternative explanation that connects 'Them', the disappearance of the Androsynth, and the Orz.

==Translating Orz Communications==

Translating Orz speech is problematic at best. The Orz sense of reality is likely completely different from ours. Even the most sophisticated and powerful translators can't fully process its bizarre alien language, having to use many lingual best-fits in conversation. These are marked in text by surrounding the word with asterisks (*). It is possible that all words that appear in (*) can have more than just one meaning.

* *above* — where the Arilou come from, [[QuasiSpace]]
* *below* — where Orz comes from
* *camper* — starfaring or sentient races? an individual or species that is liked by Orz? — "Happy *campers* are the best."
* *dance* — combat — "I am *frumple*. It is *dancing*."
* *dissolving* — destroying a ship, dying
* *fingers* — an "individual" Orz; see *many bubbles*
* *frumple* — to become, or the state of being angry or sad or violent — "Do not ask about [the Androsynth]. You make me *frumple*."
* *game* — the action being done presently
* *GO! GO!* — space marines
* *heavy space* — Adjective for [[TrueSpace]], *heavy* is also used. — "These are best for letting go near *heavy space* planet bodies." An example of universe/dimensional differences.
* *many bubbles* — the numerous distinct individuals of a species, or possibly organic cells or even atomic particles — "Orz is not *many bubbles*, Orz is *fingers*."
* *new town* — new/previously unknown universe
* *open* — advance your mind/understanding/technology
* *other* — the unknown enemy of the Orz
* *party* — alliance? conversation? opportunities for *dancing*? If *dance* means combat or battle, then *party* may mean war. Party may refer to something far more sinister/extreme that humans cannot understand yet. Orz refer to parties a lot, signifying its importance. It seems that it is somehow related to *campers* and may be the reason they are here in our dimension. They say, "We can not have *parties* when Arilou always *jumping in front*." Just as we cannot fully understand the Orz words/ideas, they may have misinterpreted our word "alliance" to mean something else. (might simply mean "contact")
* *playground* — Orz gives the coordinates of Delta Vulpeculae as the location of *playground*. The significance of this star system to Orz is unknown, although it is inside the general area that they occupy. Also, Delta Vulpeculae IIIb is the location of the Taalo Shield and the former homeworld of the Taalo, possibly giving the Taalo some significance. Possibly a good place for them to *slide*. A planet or star itself. Something with a significant amount of gravity.
* *sad animal* — one who is disliked by the Orz — "The Kohr-Ah are *sad animals*."
* *silly cow* — one who annoys the Orz, *silly* is often used independently to mean annoying — "First the VUX, but they are such *silly cows* ... they ask so much about the Androsynth we must *dance* with them."
* *slide* — dimensional travel. Some interesting quotes using this: "*Happy campers* not going to *heavy space* *slide* near Chandrasekhar. Especially not ever! These are *fat* words." "Arilou can *slide*. Also Taalo." "Finally we find you, the *happy campers* and the Taalo *playground* for sliding through."
* *slippery places* — dimensional portals, usually formed with [[Dimensional Fatigue|IDF]]
* *slow time* — An example of universe/dimensional differences.
* *squishy* — good, goodness
* *sticky* — unable to move between dimensions.
* *the middle* — not *above* or *below*, between *above* and *below*?, this dimension (ie, [[TrueSpace]])?

[[Category:Races]]