https://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=Andrevan&feedformat=atomUltronomicon - User contributions [en]2024-03-29T12:02:02ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.35.7https://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/index.php?title=User:Andrevan&diff=18416User:Andrevan2007-07-20T01:54:04Z<p>Andrevan: </p>
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<div>I am an administrator on the English Wikipedia.</div>Andrevanhttps://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/index.php?title=Talk:Influences_and_references&diff=14654Talk:Influences and references2007-03-13T00:55:41Z<p>Andrevan: Music</p>
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<div>I've just read Roadside Picnic and I'm confused about why you regard the "Mosquito Mange" as an influence or reference. Was this something Fred and Paul said in a chat session? Is there something in Star Control II that is similar? I've thought about it and I fail to see the connection. Please enlighten.<br />
--[[User:PsiPhi|PsiPhi]] 00:59, 19 Jul 2005 (CEST)<br />
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That item was actually one to be researched further (which is why I put the question marks there). I haven't read the story myself yet, but it's been mentioned in the IRC channel as a possible origin of the "mosquito mange" expression which is used in SC2 when examining the Androsynth ruins: ":I see requests to the central computer for information -- data on `reality aberrations', the `Mosquito Mange' and, er, ghosts, poltergeists, and other malevolent supernatural creatures."<br />
-- [[User:Svdb|SvdB]] 04:23, 19 Jul 2005 (CEST)<br />
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For those who want to do some work on this page, there are two threads at the PNF boards, which have some more useful info. Be sure to verify these though, as some are plain wrong.<br />
*http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~starcontrol/forum/index.php?topic=53.0<br />
*http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~starcontrol/forum/index.php?topic=698.0<br />
-- SvdB 05:32, 19 Jul 2005 (CEST)<br />
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I've been doing some work on these references (mostly the names) and have put up the ones that seem the most likely given the context and time period. Here are a few more captain names that I wasn't sure enough on though:<br />
*'''Danning''' - Sybil Danning (mentioned on one of the PNF board threads)<br />
*'''Munro''' - Caroline Munro, famous scream queen<br />
*'''Decker''' - character from ST:TMP or Commodore Decker of USS Constellation in the Original Series ('The Doomsday Machine' episode)<br />
*'''Graeme''' - from characters in the Childe Cycle by Gordon R. Dickson (I've seen the characters' names also spelled Grahame so I'm not sure)<br />
*'''Alura''' - the only thing I found was Superman's mother. This might just be a word-play on 'Allure' <br />
*'''BOOJI-1''' - reference to [[wikipedia:Booji Boy|Booji Boy]] of Devo fame<br />
Are any of these reasonable enough to include on this page? Also, if there are any that I've already put up that you disagree with, we can discuss and edit as needs be - I won't take it too personally. Next on the my list is to parse the works of the authors they mention, looking for references and such. Of course if we have fans of these works, they'd be the first and best to find those.<br />
[[User:Fyzixfighter|Fyzixfighter]] 04:59, 3 Aug 2005 (CEST)<br />
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:I think Alura was Supergirl's mother, not Superman's.-- [[User:PsiPhi|PsiPhi]] 11:02, 5 Aug 2005 (CEST)<br />
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::You're right - I slipped up on that one. Is there any other possible Alura reference/inpsiration? [[User:Fyzixfighter|Fyzixfighter]] 00:23, 12 Aug 2005 (CEST)<br />
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:::I can't find any other. I think it would be safe to add it for now. [[User:PsiPhi|PsiPhi]] 03:54, 18 Aug 2005 (CEST)<br />
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:::My only qualms with adding this Alura reference is that it doesn't exactly fit the context. All the others are centrallish characters that tend to have certain qualities that match the Syreen image. Supergirl's mom simply seems like a flat, background character on the sidelines of the DC universe. Personally, of all the possible inspirations I've proposed I think that this one is the weakest (followed closely by penny). I did find a third potential inspiration: Princess Allura of [[wikipedia:Voltron|Voltron]] fame. So the list of possibilities is:<br />
:::*Word play on allure<br />
:::*Supergirl's mother<br />
:::*Princess in Voltron<br />
:::*something else???<br />
:::How do we decide what can reasonably be stated as the reference/influence that Paul and Fred intended anyways? When I've been looking, my criteria has been the works of the explicitly stated authors, occuring before SC2's release, well known pop culture - usually sci-fi, uniqueness, and context. I think that we've probably nailed the majority of the captain names and other influences, but what about the cases, like Alura, where it's just a decent guess. My two cents is that we continue to express such uncertainties in the edits, reserving the more definitive statements for the surer references. That said, I think I'll add the rest of these references and see what happens. -- [[User:Fyzixfighter|Fyzixfighter]] 09:56, 18 Aug 2005 (CEST)<br />
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::::Wow, Voltron! I loved that show as a kid. 20 years later and I can still remember the theme song (scary). Now that you bring it up, Princess Allura fits a lot better than Supergirl's mother. She was an important character and did command one of the lions after Sven left. If Chimchim is a reference to the pet in Speed Racer and if Kimba is also a reference to a character in Japanese animation (plus the fact that the entire Shofixti culture was based on the Japanese), this does form a pattern that one of the designers loved Japanese anime. It is possible they accidentally misspelled her name. Knowing this, I would put Princess Allura far ahead of Supergirl's mother (who, as you put it, wasn't that important a character).[[User:PsiPhi|PsiPhi]] 20:42, 18 Aug 2005 (CEST)<br />
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Not to be a jerk or anything, but I'm removing the slylandro etymology remark until someone can provide an external reference for it, i.e. a greek dictionary showing slyl=sky. I remember seeing this over on the Androsynth page and it's rubbed me the wrong way ever since. And don't just point me to the threads on the forum because it's always the same person making this claim, and I'd like something a little more objective. Every greek dictionary I've looked at either has ouranos or aither as the the word for sky. So if you're a proponent of this, I'll gladly eat crow and repost it if you can back it up. [[User:Fyzixfighter|Fyzixfighter]] 06:32, 19 Aug 2005 (CEST)<br />
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===Princess Bride===<br />
The page for [[Tanaka]] contains the following text:<br />
"Trivia: His opening comments of 'you killed my father, my mother, my many brothers, all six of my sisters - prepare to die' are a homage to Inigo Montoya from 'The Princess Bride'". I personally wouldn't know about this so I'm not going to add it here. But if it is verified, it ''would'' belong on this page.<br />
-- [[User:Svdb|SvdB]] 08:54, 11 Oct 2005 (CEST)<br />
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:I might be able to vouch for this, having seen this movie innumerable times while growing up (and a few more times in my "adult" years). In all honesty, I can clearly remember being reminded of this movie when I saw this part of the game (and again when I heard it). I'll make the changes here and in the Tanaka page then. The line possibly being referenced can be found in the [[wikipedia:Count Rugen|Count Rugen]] article. [[User:Fyzixfighter|Fyzixfighter]] 00:11, 12 Oct 2005 (CEST)<br />
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::I wasn't suggesting removing the trivia from the Tanaka page. I'd say it would belong in both. You don't think so? &mdash; [[User:Svdb|SvdB]] 05:07, 12 Oct 2005 (CEST)<br />
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:::I guess I kind of jumped the gun there, but I was thinking about removing it from the Tanaka article before your comment. My thinking was that it is a reference/influence that really isn't critical to understanding who Tanaka is and what role he plays in the game. If the trivia appears on the Tanaka page also, then we should put the other trivia found here on the corresponding pages as well. I'd say that if the trivia contributes to our understanding of the original article (like the Androsynth's pink inverted triangle insignia) then it should be included there also; but otherwise, just keep it here. As I see it, this page is for all those quirky references we enjoy finding but that don't really add to the main pages. But, as always, if you want to put it back on the Tanaka page, I won't take it personally. [[User:Fyzixfighter|Fyzixfighter]] 22:25, 20 Oct 2005 (CEST)<br />
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::::Well, "be bold in editing" is the credo. I'm more interested in the motivations (so that we can come to some guidelines) then this particular case.<br />
::::My view is that each page should be complete in its subject. That doesn't only include the relation between of the subject and the game, but also anything that explains how the game element came to be the way it is. That includes influences imho.<br />
::::I don't consider the Ultronomicon a reference work about just the SC2 game events, but also anything that has anything to do with it.<br />
::::Now if there was a lot to say about each trivia, I'd choose a link to the relevant section of a dedicated trivia page. But the trivia here are no longer than a paragraph.<br />
::::&mdash;[[User:Svdb|SvdB]] 12:30, 21 Oct 2005 (CEST)<br />
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== Graeme ==<br />
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"Graeme is a reference to Donal Graeme, a protagonist in the Childe Cycle novels by Gordon R. Dickson. (This may also be a reference to other characters in this series with this same lastname.)"<br />
Are any of these characters pilots or captains of a space ship? Because if there's only one, it's probably safe to say that's the one the reference is about (as all people from this list are pilots/captains).<br />
&mdash; [[User:Svdb|SvdB]] 15:44, 5 Nov 2005 (CET)<br />
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:I don't know really - haven't had a chance to read or even look at the books. Maybe I'll have to do a run down to the bookstore. There are at least 4 Graeme characters (including Donal) that I have found just by looking at short book reviews and synopses on the web. Anyone know any Dickson fans? I'll keep looking and edit if I find anything along the criterion you mention. --[[User:Fyzixfighter|Fyzixfighter]] 18:29, 5 Nov 2005 (CET)<br />
:Small update - Donal Graeme is a captain of a starship during at least part of one of the novels. Still don't know about the others though - sorry. I'll keep looking... --[[User:Fyzixfighter|Fyzixfighter]] 10:15, 11 Nov 2005 (CET)<br />
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== Constellation names ==<br />
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What's this with all the constellation names? Afaik, every single one of those stars actually exists. As such, they don't belong in the Ultronimocon, and certainly not on this page. They're not references any more than "Jupiter" or "fungus", or "stick" is a reference. That is, they normal real-life terms used exactly as in real life. &mdash; [[User:Svdb|SvdB]] 23:52, 3 Dec 2005 (CET)<br />
:Not exactly. I added the list, specifically excluding the pre-existing, real-life names (as far as I could tell). About a quarter of the constellation/star names are not actual constellation/star names. A lot of them are references to astronomers or physicists, some of which also have star catalogs, star types, and planetary features named after them (Lalande, Wolf, and Zeeman for example). There are others that might have a sci-fi origin like Arriani or Saurus. And then there are those that refer to things completely unrelated to astronomy (Klystron) or with no apparent source that I can find (Lipi). I guess this arose from some of the discussion on the which form of the constellation names to use in articles. I figured that for completeness, the reference page should also tell where the more esoteric in-game constellation/star names come from. --[[User:Fyzixfighter|Fyzixfighter]] 01:40, 4 Dec 2005 (CET)<br />
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Perhaps there are '''some''' that are made up (after all, more may be named between now and 2155). But with all the stars in the sky, I'd expect that anyone who's had anything to do with astronomy has a star or cluster named after him.<br />
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Also, stars that have latin names appear to be mentioned in the genitive when a prefix word is present. So the star system "taurus" (bull) has the star "alpha tauri" ("A of the bull"). Genitive forms usually have -i, -is or -ae (singular) or "-um", "-orum" or "-arum" (plural; "alpha geminorum" is "A of the twins") suffixes. "Lipi" may be a typo for "Lupi", "Lupus" meaning "wolf" (which is an actual constellation).<br />
&mdash; [[User:Svdb|SvdB]] 20:39, 4 Dec 2005 (CET)<br />
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:Sorry a response has been so delayed - end of the year finals. I see what you're saying, and could go back on my previous arguments and agree with taking off the names like Luyten, Wolf, and others that are part of star names/star catalogs/star types. I'll do some more research over the winter break and see if any others that might fall into this category. I'd still like to leave the others up so people can see where the names might have come from, even if it is from some astronomer not honored in stellar nomenclature like Brahe (I believe there's no star-thingy named after him). And of course, I'll continue to mull this whole issue over.<br />
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:As for the names being in the genitive cases, Phoenix and I had some discussion over at [[Ultronomicon talk:Manual of Style#Constellation names]] about this, and we'd certainly like to hear you're thoughts. For example, do you know of any in-game instance when the nominative form of a latin constellation name is used? --[[User:Fyzixfighter|Fyzixfighter]] 06:49, 15 Dec 2005 (CET)<br />
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== Raynet ==<br />
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How important is RAYNET, the british amateur radio organization? Unless it's much bigger than I thought, or something special to FF or PR3... I don't expect it would be the source for this name.<br />
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== Utwig captain names ==<br />
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Interesting finds Censored, but I'm not sure if those are so much references as they are coincidences, especially the Duna name (in portuguese in means a sand dune). I don't see how the Danuba river relates to the Utwig. Nestor I might be able to buy, they are kind of elderly and wise, but weren't the robots in asimov's "I, robot" books called nestors (maybe this was only in the movies)? And for Endo, the japanese author maybe if again we can relate him somehow to the utwig personality/culture. I think a stronger possibility might be that endo is a slang term for marijuana - that smoke you see on their bridge, well, that's why they're sooo sad and out of touch with reality (probably got a bad case of the munchies too). --[[User:Fyzixfighter|Fyzixfighter]] 09:22, 9 February 2006 (CET)<br />
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== Arilou captain names ==<br />
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Is it possible that the Arilou captain names are "words" from songs? Does anyone recognise any of those names? &mdash; [[User:Svdb|SvdB]] 08:48, 6 March 2006 (CET)<br />
:They seem to mostly be nonsense words to me, besides "Dingdup" which sounds like "Dinged up". "Louifoui" might be from a song, although the only one I can think of that's remotely similar would be "Louie Louie". -[[User:Fadookie|Fadookie]] 09:41, 6 March 2006 (CET)<br />
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== Trent ==<br />
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Is this possibly a reference to Trent Castanaveras (sp?) of Daniel Keys Moran's _The_Long_Run_. Primarily I'd describe him as a thief, but he's also a competent pilot.<br />
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== Buenos Aires ==<br />
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I added the entry about how Hayes mentioning the destruction of Buenos Aires seems to be a reference to Starship Troopers. Anyone have anything else to mention, questions, etc? [[User:MasterGrazzt|MasterGrazzt]] 03:28, 1 June 2006 (CEST)<br />
:[[User:Fyzixfighter|Fyzixfighter]], thanks for correcting my mistake about Buenos Aires being in Peru instead of Argentina. While I hate to invoke the old internet defense of "I was tired", that was indeed the case, as I made that correction very early in the morning during an attack of insomnia. Hopefully, I am allowed to continue adding to this wiki :-). [[User:MasterGrazzt|MasterGrazzt]] 10:29, 3 June 2006 (CEST)<br />
::No problem. We've all done that at one point or another. Welcome to the community and please continue to add. --[[User:Fyzixfighter|Fyzixfighter]] 21:03, 3 June 2006 (CEST)<br />
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===Other places destroyed===<br />
I've added some possible references for the other places the Ur-Quan destroyed. I grabbed the ones that I could think of first or find easily. I'm assuming that all the places have some kind of importance to mankind's history given the destruction of the other places. Here they are for the talk, and some of my thoughts on them:<br />
*''blew away a kilometer of land in central Iraq''<br />
:My best guess is Babel/Tower of Babel, but could be the Nameless City or Ubar (Iram of Pillars) but those are supposed to be Arabia.<br />
*''vaporized several targets in the Amazon rain forest''<br />
:The only mythology/fiction thing I could come up with was El Dorado, but it might just be other as yet undiscovered cities.<br />
*''punched a big hole through the antarctic icecap to destroy something deep under the surface''<br />
:This one could be a lot of things. My initial search turned up ''The Mountains of Madness'' and Campbell's ''Who goes there?'', which was made into a movie ''The Thing''. I'm not sure if there are some other "buried in antarctic" mythologies that existed prior to 1992 (the X-files movie came out in 1998).<br />
*''melted a broad swath of the ocean floor in the south-eastern Atlantic''<br />
:I thought this was Atlantis, but the south-east location seems a bit odd to me.<br />
Am I missing any other possible references that these might be too? --[[User:Fyzixfighter|Fyzixfighter]] 07:32, 7 June 2006 (CEST)<br />
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===Drooge===<br />
Friend in Russian is "друг" which can be transliterated as "drug". I've never guessed that the name "Drooge" is from Russian word for "friend". While translating name "Drooge" was transliterated back to Russian as "Друудж" with absolutely no meaning. [[User:Dmit|Dmit]]<br />
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== Music ==<br />
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I think the Androsynth fanfare sounds an awful lot like the song "Mongoloid" by Devo, or potentially another Devo song since plenty of them have similar riffs. For comparison, see http://andre.facadecomputer.com/mongoloid_vs_androsynth.ogg (I'd love to upload it here but it won't let me). [[User:Andrevan|Andrevan]] 01:55, 13 March 2007 (CET)</div>Andrevanhttps://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/index.php?title=Influences_and_references&diff=13873Influences and references2006-10-08T02:56:35Z<p>Andrevan: /* Larry Niven influences */</p>
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<div>{{incomplete}}<br />
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The [[Star Control|Star Control 1]] manual mentions "Inspired by the Works of Fiction of: [[wikipedia:Orson Scott Card|Orson Scott Card]], [[wikipedia:Larry Niven|Larry Niven]], [[wikipedia:Andre Norton|Andre Norton]], [[wikipedia:David Brin|David Brin]], [[wikipedia:Robert A. Heinlein|Robert A. Heinlein]], [[wikipedia:Arthur C. Clarke|Arthur C. Clarke]], [[wikipedia:Jack Vance|Jack Vance]], [[wikipedia:Alan Dean Foster|Alan Dean Foster]], [[wikipedia:Keith Laumer|Keith Laumer]], [[wikipedia:A. E. Van Vogt|A.E. Van Vogt]], [[wikipedia:E. E. Smith|E.E. "Doc" Smith]], [[wikipedia:Joe Halderman|Joe Halderman]], [[wikipedia:Dan Simmons|Dan Simmons]], [[wikipedia:Fred Saberhagen|Fred Saberhagen]] and 100 worthy others."<br />
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==Alien design==<br />
The name [[Androsynth]] is taken from the Greek "andros" ("man") and "synthetic" from Greek "syn" ("together") and "thesis" ("put"), or as the [[Star Control II]] manual says it "fake men".<br />
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The [[Ilwrath]] were named after a friend of the creators (XXX: both?) named McIlwraith.<br />
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The name [[Melnorme]] is a reference to jazz singer [[wikipedia:Mel Tormé|Mel Tormé]].<br />
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The [[Mycon]] is taken from the Greek prefix "myc-" or "myco-", which means Fungus.<br />
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The [[Orz]] and the disappearance of the [[Androsynth]] were influenced by [[wikipedia:H. P. Lovecraft|H. P. Lovecraft]]'s writings. (XXX: need more exact references).<br />
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Utricularia, as in ''[[Supox]] Utricularia'', is a genus of carnivorous plants more commonly known as [[Wikipedia:Bladderwort|Bladderwort]].<br />
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The [[Shofixti]] are inspired by the historical [[wikipedia:History of Japan|Japanese culture]].<br />
"[[Kyabetsu]]", the name of the former Shofixti homeworld, means "cabbage". The tiny main gun of their [[Scout]] ships is called the Mendokusai Energy Dart; "Mendoukusai" in Japanese means "irritating; bothersome."<br />
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The [[Syreen]] are based on the [[wikipedia:Siren|Siren]]s from classical mythology. They were sea nymphs who would use enchanting song to lure ships onto the cliffs.<br />
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The [[Yehat]] are inspired in part by the [[wikipedia:Scottish clan|Scottish clan]]s and by [[Wikipedia:David Brin|David Brin]]'s [[Wikipedia:Uplift Universe|Uplift]] series.<br />
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===Larry Niven influences===<br />
A number of aliens draw their inspiration from Niven's [[wikipedia:Known Space|Known Space]] novels.<br />
*The [[Dnyarri]] are very similar in description, powers, and history to the [[wikipedia:Thrint|Thrint]]un race, "a long-extinct species which ruled the galaxy through telepathic mind control."<br />
*The [[Precursors]] can also be equated to the Thrintun in that many Thrintun relics are left behind to be used by the modern-day characters in Niven's novels (in this capacity, the Thrintun are often called the "Slavers"). The Precursors also bear some passing similarity to the [[wikipedia:Pak Protector|Pak]].<br />
*Though not physiologically, the [[Spathi]] resemble less advanced versions of the cowardly [[wikipedia:Pierson's_Puppeteer|Pierson's Puppeteer]]s.<br />
*The [[Arilou]], in their capacity as genetic manipulators of humanity, are also similar to the Puppeteers.<br />
*The [[Shofixti]], like the [[wikipedia:Kzin|Kzin]], are violent, cat-like aliens.<br />
*The [[Melnorme]], like the [[wikipedia:Outsiders_(Known_Space)|Outsiders]], are traveling merchants who trade in information.<br />
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==Dialog==<br />
The [[Arilou]]'s final remark "Be seeing you..." may be a reference to the tv series [[wikipedia:The Prisoner|The Prisoner]].<br />
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[[The Captain]]'s remark to the [[Pkunk]] "Hey! Bird-brains! Got any fruit loops? Har-har-har!" refers to a brand of breakfast cereal called [[wikipedia:Froot Loops|Fruit Loops]], which features a toucan resembling the Pkunk as its mascot.<br />
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One of the gods that the [[Ilwrath]] used to worship was called "Awk of Seds", a reference to the text processing programs [[wikipedia:AWK programming language|awk]] and [[wikipedia:sed|sed]].<br />
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The Pkunk say that they insult their foes to keep from "wrapping around" to evil; this is a programmer's joke about the nature of integers under the C programming language (and many others.) If you increase a number past its maximum (for example, 128 in an 8 bit integer) it suddenly becomes negative (-127, in this example.)<br />
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[[Tanaka]]'s opening comments, "you killed my father, my mother, my many brothers, all six of my sisters - prepare to die," may pay homage to the movie [[wikipedia:The Princess Bride|The Princess Bride]], in which the character [[wikipedia:Inigo Montoya|Inigo Montoya]] has prepared a similar comment for when he confronts his father's murderer, [[wikipedia:Count Rugen|Count Rugen]].<br />
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When the [[Spathi]] [[The Safe Ones|Safe Ones]] ask the player for the [[Secret Spathi Cypher]], one of the incorrect options is "Wagh-nagl Fthagn", which spelled a little bit differently ("Wgah'nagl Fhtagn") comes from "''Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn!''", a liturgical phrase in H. P. Lovecraft's [[wikipedia:Cthulhu mythos|Cthulhu mythos]]. <br />
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One of the other options for the Spathi Cypher, "Gort, merenga!" comes from the movie "[[wikipedia:The Day the Earth Stood Still|The Day the Earth Stood Still]]".<br />
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When you choose the aggressive lines to speak towards the [[Slylandro]] [[Probe]]s, the third time you get the response "ENACTING THIRD LAW." before combat is initiated. This refers to [[wikipedia:Isaac Asimov|Isaac Asimov]]'s [[wikipedia:Three Laws of Robotics|Three Laws of Robotics]]. The third law says "A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.". The Probe's version must not have the first clause as the first law says "A robot may not harm a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.". (Alternatively, its First Law applies to solely to its creator race, which grant humans and other sentients no special protection.) Also the [[Slylandro]] will go "to seek out new life and new civilizations, to go where no catalog item 2418 Remote Self-replicating robot probe had gone before." when asked about the programming of the probes, a reference to Star Trek.<br />
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When the [[Utwig]] are trying to tell you what to do with the [[Precursor Bomb]], at one point they say that the "Bomb must be...Hugged." This is likely a reference to the movie [[Wikipedia:Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb|Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb]].<br />
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One of the ways that the Utwig determined that the [[Ultron]] could have been saved was by cushioning the fall with a fuzzy wumpus. A Wumpus is a mysterious monster from the famous, early computer game [[Wikipedia:Hunt the Wumpus|Hunt the Wumpus]].<br />
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When describing the [[Kohr-Ah]], the Utwig say that their stated purpose is "to seek out new life and new civilizations...and then annihilate them," a clear play on the mission statement of the [[Wikipedia:Starship Enterprise|Starship Enterprise]] of [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]] fame.<br />
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The description of the constellation that is described as "the snake-like creature who has swallowed the elephantine beast" in the DOS version ("the long, thin creature who has swallowed the huge beast." in the 3DO version and UQM) is a reference to the children's book [[wikipedia:Le Petit Prince|Le Petit Prince]] by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, which [http://www.korczak.com/Exupery/englisch/i.html describes and shows] an image of a boa constrictor digesting an elephant.<br />
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"[[Cheep-Guava]]", the name of the head of the [[Yehat]] revolution, is a pun on "[[Wikipedia:Che Guevara|Che Guevara]]", the Cuban revolutionary leader.<br />
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When first meeting the [[Zoq-Fot-Pik]] at their homeworld, they warn you not to try stealing their atmosphere, a reference to [[Wikipedia:Spaceballs|Spaceballs]].<br />
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When [[The Captain]] gets to choose the name for the [[New Alliance of Free Stars|new alliance]], one of his options is "The United Federation of Worlds", a reference to the [[Wikipedia:United Federation of Planets|United Federation of Planets]] from Star Trek. [[Starbase]] Commander [[Hayes]] will reply to this choice by saying "we will make it so", another reference to Star Trek, where captain [[Wikipedia:Jean-Luc Picard|Jean-Luc Picard]] would frequently order to "make it so".<br />
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The Mosquito Mange is mentioned in the [[Androsynth]] computer records immediately prior to their disappearance. It is a reference to the term found in [[wikipedia:Roadside Picnic|Roadside Picnic]] refering to graviconcentrates - areas of heightened and directed gravity. <br />
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The ''Roadside Picnic'' might also be the inspiration for the 'Empties'. In the novel they are one of the common alien artifacts found in the Zones. In the game they are a [[Precursor]] artifact that Commander Hayes mentions in relation to the [[Ultron]].<br />
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Commander Hayes mentions early on that the [[Ur-Quan Kzer-Za|Ur-Quan]] annihilated Buenos Aires. This is most likely a reference to [[wikipedia:Robert A. Heinlein|Robert Heinlein]]'s novel [[wikipedia:Starship Troopers|Starship Troopers]], where the alien race humanity is fighting against similarly destroy Argentina's capital.<br />
<br />
Commander Hayes also mentions that when the Ur-Quan destroyed much of mankind's history, they also destroyed several places without any known value. These places likely correspond to locations in popular fiction and mythology. They are:<br />
*"kilometer of land in central Iraq" - possibly the biblical [[Wikipedia:Babel|Babel]], [[Wikipedia:The Nameless City|The Nameless City]] from the works of H. P. Lovecraft, or [[Wikipedia:Iram of the Pillars|Iram of the Pillars]]<br />
*"several targets in the Amazon rain forest" - possibly [[Wikipedia:El Dorado|El Dorado]] or simply just other undiscovered city centers in the Amazon jungle<br />
*"something deep under the surface [of the Antarctic icecap]" - possibly a reference to the alien city discovered in H. P. Lovecraft's ''[[Wikipedia:At the Mountains of Madness|At the Mountains of Madness]]''<br />
*"broad swath of the ocean floor in the south-eastern Atlantic" - possibly [[Wikipedia:Atlantis|Atlantis]]<br />
<br />
==Ship Captains==<br />
Numerous ship captain names are actually references.<br />
<br />
====Androsynth====<br />
*'''1040-EZ''' is a common [[wikipedia:Form 1040EZ|tax return form]] in the United States.<br />
*'''976-KILL''' is probably meant as an American phone number. It may also refer to the movie [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094597/ 976-EVIL]. The "976" prefix is reserved for pay services.<br />
*'''[[wikipedia:AK-47|AK-47]]''' is the famous Avtomat Kalashnikova assault rifle<br />
*'''BHS-79''' ''(just a wild guess here- is this the initials of one of the high schools they attended, and their graduation date?)''<br />
*'''BIM-XT''' is an anagram for the [[wikipedia:IBM XT|IBM XT]] personal computer from the early 1980s<br />
*'''BOOJI-1''' is a possible reference to the character [[wikipedia:Booji Boy|Booji Boy]] from the band [[wikipedia:Devo|Devo]].<br />
*'''CRC-16''' is a 16 bits "[[wikipedia:Cyclic redundancy check|Cyclic redundancy check]] (an error-detecting checksum).<br />
*'''DORN-3''' may be a reference to artist John Alfred Dorn III, who did several illustrations for the novels of [[wikipedia:Stanisław Lem|Stanisław Lem]]. It could also be a reference [[wikipedia:Michael Dorn|Michael Dorn]] who played Lt. Worf on Star Trek: The Next Generation.<br />
*'''DOS-1.0''' is a reference to one or all of the various early disk operating systems ([[wikipedia:PC-DIS|PC-DOS]], [[wikipedia:MS-DOS|MS-DOS]], [[wikipedia:Apple DOS|Apple DOS]], etc).<br />
*'''HAL-2001''' is a reference to the [[wikipedia:HAL 9000|HAL 9000]] computer from [[wikipedia:Arthur C. Clarke|Arthur C. Clarke]]'s and [[wikipedia:Stanley Kubrick|Stanley Kubrick]]'s [[wikipedia:2001: A Space Odyssey|2001: A Space Odyssey]]<br />
*'''JOR-15''' might be a reference to [[wikipedia:Jor-El|Jor-El]], superman's biological father in the DC comics universe.<br />
*'''KORB-7B'''<br />
*'''ME-262''' is a reference to the Messerschmitt [[wikipedia:Me-262|Me-262]], the first operational jet powered aircraft. <br />
*'''NECRO-99''' may be a reference to the robot NECRON-99 from the movie [[wikipedia:Wizards (movie)|Wizards]].<br />
*'''SR-71''' is a reference to the Lockheed [[wikipedia:SR-71|SR-71 Blackbird]], an advanced reconnaissance aircraft.<br />
*'''[[wikipedia:Merkur XR4Ti|XR4-TI]]''' was a car model manufactured by the short-lived [[wikipedia:Merkur|Merkur]] brand.<br />
<br />
====Human====<br />
*'''Adama''' is the captain of the [[wikipedia:Battlestar Galactica|Battlestar Galactica]] in the television series by the same name.<br />
*'''Belt''' is a reference to Henry Belt, captain of a solar sail vessel in Jack Vance's short story ''Sail 25''.<br />
*'''Buck''' refers to [[wikipedia:Buck Rogers|Buck Rogers]], a character who appeared in popular sci-fi comic strips and serials in the late 30's, as well as a later television series.<br />
*'''Decker''' is likely a reference to [[wikipedia:Willard Decker|Willard Decker]], captain of the [[wikipedia:Starship Enterprise|Starship Enterprise]] NCC-1701 in the movie [[wikipedia:Star Trek: The Motion Picture|Star Trek: The Motion Picture]].<br />
*'''Ender''' is a reference to the main character of the Orson Scott Card novel [[wikipedia:Ender's Game|Ender's Game]].<br />
*'''Graeme''' is a reference to Donal Graeme, a protagonist in the [[wikipedia: Childe Cycle|Childe Cycle]] novels by [[wikipedia:Gordon R. Dickson|Gordon R. Dickson]]. ''(This may also be a reference to other characters in this series with this same lastname.)''<br />
*'''Halleck''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Gurney Halleck|Gurney Halleck]] of the [[wikipedia:Dune universe|Dune series]].<br />
*'''Kirk''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:James T. Kirk|James T. Kirk]], captain of the [[wikipedia:Starship Enterprise|Starship Enterprise]] NCC-1701 in the original series of [[wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]].<br />
*'''Pike''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Christopher Pike|Christopher Pike]], captain of the [[wikipedia:Starship Enterprise|Starship Enterprise]] NCC-1701 in the pilot episode of [[wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]].<br />
*'''[[wikipedia:Pirx|Pirx]]''' is a reference to a fictional test pilot in a series of stories by Stanisław Lem.<br />
*'''Solo''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Han Solo|Han Solo]], captain of the [[wikipedia:Millennium Falcon|Millennium Falcon]] in [[wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]] episode 4 through 6.<br />
*'''Spiff''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Spaceman Spiff|Spaceman Spiff]], a fantasy identity of Calvin from [[wikipedia:Calvin and Hobbes|Calvin and Hobbes]]<br />
*'''Trent''' is a reference to Jeff Trent, civilian airline pilot from [[wikipedia:Plan 9 from Outer Space|Plan 9 from Outer Space]]<br />
*'''Tuf''' is a reference to Haviland Tuf, the protagonist in [[wikipedia:Tuf Voyaging|Tuf Voyaging]] by [[wikipedia:George R.R. Martin|George R.R. Martin]].<br />
*'''VanRijn''' is a reference to the merchant prince Nicholas Van Rijn in [[wikipedia:Poul Anderson|Poul Anderson]]'s stories.<br />
*'''Wu''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Louis Wu|Louis Wu]], the protagonist of Larry Niven's [[wikipedia:Ringworld|Ringworld series]].<br />
<br />
====Kohr-Ah====<br />
*All of their ship names appear to be '''Death''' followed by a [[wikipedia:Prime_number|prime number]].<br />
<br />
====Mycon====<br />
*'''Znuff''' could be a reference to the 1984 rock group [[wikipedia:Enuff Z'nuff|Enuff Z'nuff]].<br />
<br />
====Pkunk====<br />
*'''Tweety''' is likely a reference to [[wikipedia:Tweety|Tweety Bird]].<br />
*'''WudStok''' is Snoopy's friend [[wikipedia:Woodstock (Peanuts)|Woodstock]] in the comic strip [[wikipedia:Peanuts|Peanuts]].<br />
*'''Crow''' may refer to [[wikipedia:Crow T. Robot|Crow T. Robot]] from [[wikipedia:Mystery Science Theater 3000|Mystery Science Theater 3000]] as well as the obvious type of bird.<br />
<br />
====Shofixti====<br />
*'''Bonsai!''' is actually [[wikipedia:Bonsai|the Japanese art of pruning trees]], but is most likely a reference to the cry [[wikipedia:Ten thousand years|Banzai]].<br />
*'''Busu''' is a Japanese word for ugly<br />
*'''Chimchim''' most likely refers to the pet chimpanzee in [[wikipedia:Speed Racer|Speed Racer]].<br />
*'''[[wikipedia:Daikon|Daikon]]''' is a giant, white radish popular in Japanese cooking.<br />
*'''[[wikipedia:Gaijin|Gaijin]]''' is a disparaging Japanese term for foreigner.<br />
*'''Genjiro'''<br />
*'''Ginzu''' is probably the [[wikipedia:Ginsu|Ginsu knife]].<br />
*'''Hiyata'''<br />
*'''Ichiban''' is the Japanese word for the number 1, or first<br />
*'''Kimba''' refers to the main character in the Japanese animation [[wikipedia:Kimba the White Lion|Kimba, the White Lion]].<br />
*'''[[wikipedia:Katana|Katana]]''' is a Japanese sword.<br />
*'''[[wikipedia:Kudzu|Kudzu]]''' is an Asian plant that can be found in southern Japan.<br />
*'''Naninani''' is Japanese for "such and such"<br />
*'''[[wikipedia:Sushi|Sushi]]''' is Japanese for seasoned rice, usually associated with raw fish.<br />
*'''Tanaka''' is a fairly common [[wikipedia:Japanese name|Japanese surname]].<br />
*'''[[wikipedia:Tofu|Tofu]]''' is bean curd, popular in Japanese cooking.<br />
*'''Tora-3''' refers to the radio call announcing the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. [[wikipedia:Tora Tora Tora|Tora! Tora! Tora!]]<br />
*'''Wasabe''' is a Japanese condiment, usually spelled [[wikipedia:Wasabi|wasabi]].<br />
<br />
====Spathi====<br />
*'''Jinkeze''' is a reference to the catchphrase of [[Wikipedia:Velma Dinkley|Velma Dinkley]], a main character in the [[Wikipedia:Scooby-Doo|Scooby-Doo]] cartoons, which she says when she's is scared or surprised.<br />
<br />
====Supox====<br />
*'''Crinoid''' is a reference to the Krynoids, hostile sentient plants in the [[wikipedia:Doctor Who|Doctor Who]] episode ''The Seeds of Doom''.<br />
*'''Trifid''' is a reference to the carnivorous, mobile (and possibly intelligent) plants in [[wikipedia:The Day of the Triffids|The Day of the Triffids]].<br />
*All of the other captain names are parts or types of plants.<br />
<br />
====Syreen====<br />
*'''Aelita''' refers to the early Soviet sci-fi novel ''Aelita'' by [[wikipedia:Alexei Tolstoy|Alexei Tolstoy]] or to a silent film [[wikipedia:Aelita|Aelita:Queen of Mars]] based on it.<br />
*'''Alia''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Alia Atreides|St. Alia of the Knife]], the sister of [[wikipedia:Paul Atreides|Paul Atreides]] in the [[wikipedia:Dune universe|Dune series]].<br />
*'''Alura''' is possibly a reference either to Princess Allura in the [[wikipedia:Voltron|Voltron]] cartoon series or to the mother of [[wikipedia:Supergirl|Supergirl]].<br />
*'''Ardala''' is a reference to the Princess Ardala, nemesis of Buck Rogers. <br />
*'''Be'lit''' is a possible reference to [[wikipedia:Belit|Belit]], a pirate queen in the [[wikipedia:Conan the Barbarian|Conan the Barbarian]] stories.<br />
*'''Brawne''' refers to Brawne Lamia, a character in Dan Simmons' [[wikipedia:Hyperion Cantos|Hyperion Cantos]] books.<br />
*'''Dale''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Dale Arden|Dale Arden]], the girlfriend of [[wikipedia:Flash Gordon|Flash Gordon]].<br />
*'''Danning''' is a reference to the actress [[wikipedia:Sybil Danning|Sybil Danning]].<br />
*'''Dejah''' may be a reference to Dejah Thoris Burroughs (Deety) in Robert A. Heinlein's [[wikipedia:The Number of the Beast (novel)|The Number of the Beast]], or to Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, in the [[wikipedia:Barsoom series|Barsoom series]] by [[wikipedia:Edgar Rice Burroughs|Edgar Rice Burroughs]].<br />
*'''Maya''' refers to the attractive female [[wikipedia:Space 1999|Space: 1999]] character gifted with shapeshifing abilties.<br />
*'''Munro''' possibly refers to another genre actress, [[wikipedia:Caroline Munro|Caroline Munro]].<br />
*'''Penny''' possibly refers to the lead female character in the movie [[wikipedia:The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension|The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension]], or the character of Penny Robinson in the television show Lost in Space. <br />
*'''Ripley''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Ellen Ripley|Lieutenant Ripley]], as portrayed by [[wikipedia:Sigourney Weaver|Sigourney Weaver]] in the movie [[wikipedia:Alien (movie)|Alien]].<br />
*'''Sparta''' is a reference to the beautiful female protagonist with a mysterious past in the Venus Prime series by [[wikipedia:Arthur C. Clarke|Arthur C. Clarke]] and [[wikipedia:Paul Preuss|Paul Preuss]].<br />
*'''Teela''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Teela Brown|Teela Brown]], one of the heroines of the Larry Niven's [[wikipedia:Ringworld|Ringworld]] novels.<br />
*'''Yarr''' may be a reference to [[wikipedia:Natasha Yar|Natasha Yar]] who appeared in [[wikipedia:Star Trek: The Next Generation|Star Trek: The Next Generation]].<br />
<br />
====Umgah====<br />
*'''Brewz'k''' is likely the slang word brewski.<br />
*'''Ei'Ei'o''' is probably referring to the refrain of the children's song "Old Macdonald had a farm".<br />
*'''Bob''' is possibly a reference to the creators themselves: [[Toys For Bob]].<br />
<br />
====Utwig====<br />
*'''Nestor''' might refer to [[Wikipedia:Nestor|Nestor]], a hero celebrated as an elderly and wise counselor to the Greeks at Troy, or to the robots in Asimov's [[Wikipedia:I, Robot|I, Robot]].<br />
*'''Jujuby''' spelled '[[Wikipedia:Jujube|Jujube]]', is the fruit of a certain tree, also known as "Chinese Date".<br />
*'''Endo''' in Japanese is a type of pea, but could be a reference to [[Wikipedia:Shusaku Endo|Shusaku Endo]], a twentieth century Japanese author of several critically acclaimed novels. It might also refer to a slang word for [[Wikipedia:marijuana|marijuana]].<br />
<br />
====Zoq Fot Pik====<br />
*'''RinTin''' is likely named after the famous movie dog [[wikipedia:Rin Tin Tin|Rin Tin Tin]].<br />
<br />
==Ship Designs==<br />
*The '''[[Arilou]]'s [[Skiff]]''' vessel is reminicient of the 'traditional' flying saucers or UFO's.<br />
*The '''[[Earthling]] [[Cruiser]]''' seems to be inspired by the Federation Starships from [[wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]].<br />
*The '''[[Ilwrath]] [[Avenger]]''' shares the same approximate configuration as both the the [[wikipedia:Klingon starships|Klingon Bird-of-Prey]] and the [[wikipedia:Romulan starships|Romulan Warbird]] from Star Trek.<br />
*The '''[[Syreen]] [[Penetrator]]''' is shaped after the [[wikipedia:V-2 rocket|V-2 rocket]], and a dildo.<br />
*The '''[[Ur-Quan Kzer-Za|Ur-Quan]] [[Dreadnought]]''' bears more than a passing resemblence to the [[wikipedia:Battlestar Galactica (ship)|BattleStar command ships]] from BattleStar Galactica.<br />
*The '''[[VUX]] [[Intruder]]''' shares a similar relationship with the D7 class Klingon starship.<br />
<br />
==Constellation names==<br />
According to the [[HyperSpace]] starmap, the names for the HyperSpace constellations were taken from "traditional astronomical designations." These are the in-game star and constellation names that don't directly correspond to real life astronomical designations. (Some, such as Lalande and Wolf, appear to be derived from astronomical designations).<br />
*'''Almagest''' is a reference to the [[Wikipedia:Almagest|Almagest]], an astronomical treatise written by [[Wikipedia:Ptolemy|Claudius Ptolemaius]] and describing his geocentric theory.<br />
*'''Arianni''' may be a reference to [[Wikipedia:Ariane (rocket)|Ariane rockets]], which were the primary launch vehicle of the European Space Agency in the latter portion of the 20th century. An alternative origin may be the planet [http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/library/places/article/69410.html Ariannus] from the original [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]].<br />
*'''Brahe''' is a reference to [[Wikipedia:Tycho Brahe|Tycho Brahe]], the famous Danish astronomer of the 16th century.<br />
*'''Cerenkov''' is a reference to [[Wikipedia:Pavel Alekseyevich Cherenkov|Pavel Alekseyevich Cherenkov]], a Soviet physicist and Nobel laureate.<br />
*'''Chandrasekhar''' is a reference to the Indian-American astrophysicist [[Wikipedia:Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar|Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar]], famous for his work on stellar evolution and black holes.<br />
*'''Copernicus''' is a reference [[Wikipedia:Nicolaus Copernicus|Nicolaus Copernicus]], the polish astronomer who proposed the sun was the center of the solar system.<br />
*'''Gorno''' is a possible reference to the [[Wikipedia:Gorn|Gorn]], a race in [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]].<br />
*'''Hyginus''' is a reference to the attributed author of [[Wikipedia:Poeticon astronomicon|Poeticon astronomicon]].<br />
*'''Hyperion''' is a reference to the main setting of Dan Simmons' [[wikipedia:Hyperion Cantos|Hyperion Cantos]].<br />
*'''Illuminati''' is a reference to a variety of conspiracy theories, especially those of the [[Wikipedia:Illuminati|Bavarian Illuminati]].<br />
*'''Kepler''' is a reference to [[Wikipedia:Johannes Kepler|Johannes Kepler]] who discovered the three laws of planetary motion.<br />
*'''Klystron''' is a reference to a kind of vacuum tube used in early radar systems.<br />
*'''Lentilis'''<br />
*'''Lipi'''<br />
*'''Maksutov''' is likely a reference to the [[Wikipedia:Maksutov telescope|Maksutov telescope]] invented by the Russian optician [[Wikipedia:Dimtri Maksutov|Dimtri Maksutov]].<br />
*'''Mersenne''' is a reference to [http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/Mathematicians/Mersenne.html Marin Mersenne] a Minim friar who lived in France from 1588-1648 and was a major founder of number theory.<br />
*'''Metis''' is a moon of Jupiter, and correspondingly a character in Roman mythology.<br />
*'''Olber''' is likely a reference to [[Wikipedia:Heinrich Wilhelm Olbers|Heinrich Wilhelm Olbers]], a German astronomer.<br />
*'''Organon''' is likely a reference to either Francis Bacon's book [[Wikipedia:Novum Organum|The New Organon]] or Aristotle's [[Wikipedia:Organon|Organon]], after which Bacon's book was named. Alternatively it could be a reference to [[Wikipedia:Organia|Organia]], an important location in [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]], or to the [[Wikipedia:Organa family|Organa family]] in the [[Wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]] universe.<br />
*'''Ptolemae''' is a reference to [[Wikipedia:Ptolemy|Claudius Ptolemaius]], an ancient astronomer whose Geocentric views Copernicus replaced. <br />
*'''Raynet''' is possibly a misspelling of "Rayet", an existing astronomical designation. it could also be a reference to British amateur radio network [[Wikipedia:RAYNET|RAYNET]].<br />
*'''Saurus'''<br />
*'''Squidi'''<br />
*'''Vitalis'''<br />
*'''Zeeman''' is possibly a reference to the physicist [[Wikipedia:Pieter Zeeman|Pieter Zeeman]] for whom a [[Wikipedia:Zeeman (crater)|crater]] on the moon is named.<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Game mechanics]]</div>Andrevanhttps://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/index.php?title=Influences_and_references&diff=13872Influences and references2006-10-08T02:50:07Z<p>Andrevan: /* Alien design */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{incomplete}}<br />
<br />
The [[Star Control|Star Control 1]] manual mentions "Inspired by the Works of Fiction of: [[wikipedia:Orson Scott Card|Orson Scott Card]], [[wikipedia:Larry Niven|Larry Niven]], [[wikipedia:Andre Norton|Andre Norton]], [[wikipedia:David Brin|David Brin]], [[wikipedia:Robert A. Heinlein|Robert A. Heinlein]], [[wikipedia:Arthur C. Clarke|Arthur C. Clarke]], [[wikipedia:Jack Vance|Jack Vance]], [[wikipedia:Alan Dean Foster|Alan Dean Foster]], [[wikipedia:Keith Laumer|Keith Laumer]], [[wikipedia:A. E. Van Vogt|A.E. Van Vogt]], [[wikipedia:E. E. Smith|E.E. "Doc" Smith]], [[wikipedia:Joe Halderman|Joe Halderman]], [[wikipedia:Dan Simmons|Dan Simmons]], [[wikipedia:Fred Saberhagen|Fred Saberhagen]] and 100 worthy others."<br />
<br />
<br />
==Alien design==<br />
The name [[Androsynth]] is taken from the Greek "andros" ("man") and "synthetic" from Greek "syn" ("together") and "thesis" ("put"), or as the [[Star Control II]] manual says it "fake men".<br />
<br />
The [[Ilwrath]] were named after a friend of the creators (XXX: both?) named McIlwraith.<br />
<br />
The name [[Melnorme]] is a reference to jazz singer [[wikipedia:Mel Tormé|Mel Tormé]].<br />
<br />
The [[Mycon]] is taken from the Greek prefix "myc-" or "myco-", which means Fungus.<br />
<br />
The [[Orz]] and the disappearance of the [[Androsynth]] were influenced by [[wikipedia:H. P. Lovecraft|H. P. Lovecraft]]'s writings. (XXX: need more exact references).<br />
<br />
Utricularia, as in ''[[Supox]] Utricularia'', is a genus of carnivorous plants more commonly known as [[Wikipedia:Bladderwort|Bladderwort]].<br />
<br />
The [[Shofixti]] are inspired by the historical [[wikipedia:History of Japan|Japanese culture]].<br />
"[[Kyabetsu]]", the name of the former Shofixti homeworld, means "cabbage". The tiny main gun of their [[Scout]] ships is called the Mendokusai Energy Dart; "Mendoukusai" in Japanese means "irritating; bothersome."<br />
<br />
The [[Syreen]] are based on the [[wikipedia:Siren|Siren]]s from classical mythology. They were sea nymphs who would use enchanting song to lure ships onto the cliffs.<br />
<br />
The [[Yehat]] are inspired in part by the [[wikipedia:Scottish clan|Scottish clan]]s and by [[Wikipedia:David Brin|David Brin]]'s [[Wikipedia:Uplift Universe|Uplift]] series.<br />
<br />
===Larry Niven influences===<br />
A number of aliens draw their inspiration from Niven's [[wikipedia:Known Space|Known Space]] novels.<br />
*The [[Dnyarri]] are very similar in description, powers, and history to the [[wikipedia:Thrint|Thrint]]un race, "a long-extinct species which ruled the galaxy through telepathic mind control."<br />
*The [[Precursors]] can also be equated to the Thrintun in that many Thrintun relics are left behind to be used by the modern-day characters in Niven's novels (in this capacity, the Thrintun are often called the "Slavers"). The Precursors also bear some passing similarity to the [[wikipedia:Pak Protector|Pak]].<br />
*Though not physiologically, the [[Spathi]] resemble less advanced versions of the cowardly [[wikipedia:Pierson's_Puppeteer|Pierson's_Puppeteer]]s.<br />
*The [[Arilou]], in their capacity as genetic manipulators of humanity, are also similar to the Puppeteers.<br />
*The [[Shofixti]], like the [[wikipedia:Kzin|Kzin]], are violent, cat-like aliens.<br />
*The [[Melnorme]], like the [[wikipedia:Outsiders_(Known_Space)|Outsiders]], are traveling merchants who trade in information.<br />
<br />
==Dialog==<br />
The [[Arilou]]'s final remark "Be seeing you..." may be a reference to the tv series [[wikipedia:The Prisoner|The Prisoner]].<br />
<br />
[[The Captain]]'s remark to the [[Pkunk]] "Hey! Bird-brains! Got any fruit loops? Har-har-har!" refers to a brand of breakfast cereal called [[wikipedia:Froot Loops|Fruit Loops]], which features a toucan resembling the Pkunk as its mascot.<br />
<br />
One of the gods that the [[Ilwrath]] used to worship was called "Awk of Seds", a reference to the text processing programs [[wikipedia:AWK programming language|awk]] and [[wikipedia:sed|sed]].<br />
<br />
The Pkunk say that they insult their foes to keep from "wrapping around" to evil; this is a programmer's joke about the nature of integers under the C programming language (and many others.) If you increase a number past its maximum (for example, 128 in an 8 bit integer) it suddenly becomes negative (-127, in this example.)<br />
<br />
[[Tanaka]]'s opening comments, "you killed my father, my mother, my many brothers, all six of my sisters - prepare to die," may pay homage to the movie [[wikipedia:The Princess Bride|The Princess Bride]], in which the character [[wikipedia:Inigo Montoya|Inigo Montoya]] has prepared a similar comment for when he confronts his father's murderer, [[wikipedia:Count Rugen|Count Rugen]].<br />
<br />
When the [[Spathi]] [[The Safe Ones|Safe Ones]] ask the player for the [[Secret Spathi Cypher]], one of the incorrect options is "Wagh-nagl Fthagn", which spelled a little bit differently ("Wgah'nagl Fhtagn") comes from "''Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn!''", a liturgical phrase in H. P. Lovecraft's [[wikipedia:Cthulhu mythos|Cthulhu mythos]]. <br />
<br />
One of the other options for the Spathi Cypher, "Gort, merenga!" comes from the movie "[[wikipedia:The Day the Earth Stood Still|The Day the Earth Stood Still]]".<br />
<br />
When you choose the aggressive lines to speak towards the [[Slylandro]] [[Probe]]s, the third time you get the response "ENACTING THIRD LAW." before combat is initiated. This refers to [[wikipedia:Isaac Asimov|Isaac Asimov]]'s [[wikipedia:Three Laws of Robotics|Three Laws of Robotics]]. The third law says "A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.". The Probe's version must not have the first clause as the first law says "A robot may not harm a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.". (Alternatively, its First Law applies to solely to its creator race, which grant humans and other sentients no special protection.) Also the [[Slylandro]] will go "to seek out new life and new civilizations, to go where no catalog item 2418 Remote Self-replicating robot probe had gone before." when asked about the programming of the probes, a reference to Star Trek.<br />
<br />
When the [[Utwig]] are trying to tell you what to do with the [[Precursor Bomb]], at one point they say that the "Bomb must be...Hugged." This is likely a reference to the movie [[Wikipedia:Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb|Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb]].<br />
<br />
One of the ways that the Utwig determined that the [[Ultron]] could have been saved was by cushioning the fall with a fuzzy wumpus. A Wumpus is a mysterious monster from the famous, early computer game [[Wikipedia:Hunt the Wumpus|Hunt the Wumpus]].<br />
<br />
When describing the [[Kohr-Ah]], the Utwig say that their stated purpose is "to seek out new life and new civilizations...and then annihilate them," a clear play on the mission statement of the [[Wikipedia:Starship Enterprise|Starship Enterprise]] of [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]] fame.<br />
<br />
The description of the constellation that is described as "the snake-like creature who has swallowed the elephantine beast" in the DOS version ("the long, thin creature who has swallowed the huge beast." in the 3DO version and UQM) is a reference to the children's book [[wikipedia:Le Petit Prince|Le Petit Prince]] by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, which [http://www.korczak.com/Exupery/englisch/i.html describes and shows] an image of a boa constrictor digesting an elephant.<br />
<br />
"[[Cheep-Guava]]", the name of the head of the [[Yehat]] revolution, is a pun on "[[Wikipedia:Che Guevara|Che Guevara]]", the Cuban revolutionary leader.<br />
<br />
When first meeting the [[Zoq-Fot-Pik]] at their homeworld, they warn you not to try stealing their atmosphere, a reference to [[Wikipedia:Spaceballs|Spaceballs]].<br />
<br />
When [[The Captain]] gets to choose the name for the [[New Alliance of Free Stars|new alliance]], one of his options is "The United Federation of Worlds", a reference to the [[Wikipedia:United Federation of Planets|United Federation of Planets]] from Star Trek. [[Starbase]] Commander [[Hayes]] will reply to this choice by saying "we will make it so", another reference to Star Trek, where captain [[Wikipedia:Jean-Luc Picard|Jean-Luc Picard]] would frequently order to "make it so".<br />
<br />
The Mosquito Mange is mentioned in the [[Androsynth]] computer records immediately prior to their disappearance. It is a reference to the term found in [[wikipedia:Roadside Picnic|Roadside Picnic]] refering to graviconcentrates - areas of heightened and directed gravity. <br />
<br />
The ''Roadside Picnic'' might also be the inspiration for the 'Empties'. In the novel they are one of the common alien artifacts found in the Zones. In the game they are a [[Precursor]] artifact that Commander Hayes mentions in relation to the [[Ultron]].<br />
<br />
Commander Hayes mentions early on that the [[Ur-Quan Kzer-Za|Ur-Quan]] annihilated Buenos Aires. This is most likely a reference to [[wikipedia:Robert A. Heinlein|Robert Heinlein]]'s novel [[wikipedia:Starship Troopers|Starship Troopers]], where the alien race humanity is fighting against similarly destroy Argentina's capital.<br />
<br />
Commander Hayes also mentions that when the Ur-Quan destroyed much of mankind's history, they also destroyed several places without any known value. These places likely correspond to locations in popular fiction and mythology. They are:<br />
*"kilometer of land in central Iraq" - possibly the biblical [[Wikipedia:Babel|Babel]], [[Wikipedia:The Nameless City|The Nameless City]] from the works of H. P. Lovecraft, or [[Wikipedia:Iram of the Pillars|Iram of the Pillars]]<br />
*"several targets in the Amazon rain forest" - possibly [[Wikipedia:El Dorado|El Dorado]] or simply just other undiscovered city centers in the Amazon jungle<br />
*"something deep under the surface [of the Antarctic icecap]" - possibly a reference to the alien city discovered in H. P. Lovecraft's ''[[Wikipedia:At the Mountains of Madness|At the Mountains of Madness]]''<br />
*"broad swath of the ocean floor in the south-eastern Atlantic" - possibly [[Wikipedia:Atlantis|Atlantis]]<br />
<br />
==Ship Captains==<br />
Numerous ship captain names are actually references.<br />
<br />
====Androsynth====<br />
*'''1040-EZ''' is a common [[wikipedia:Form 1040EZ|tax return form]] in the United States.<br />
*'''976-KILL''' is probably meant as an American phone number. It may also refer to the movie [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094597/ 976-EVIL]. The "976" prefix is reserved for pay services.<br />
*'''[[wikipedia:AK-47|AK-47]]''' is the famous Avtomat Kalashnikova assault rifle<br />
*'''BHS-79''' ''(just a wild guess here- is this the initials of one of the high schools they attended, and their graduation date?)''<br />
*'''BIM-XT''' is an anagram for the [[wikipedia:IBM XT|IBM XT]] personal computer from the early 1980s<br />
*'''BOOJI-1''' is a possible reference to the character [[wikipedia:Booji Boy|Booji Boy]] from the band [[wikipedia:Devo|Devo]].<br />
*'''CRC-16''' is a 16 bits "[[wikipedia:Cyclic redundancy check|Cyclic redundancy check]] (an error-detecting checksum).<br />
*'''DORN-3''' may be a reference to artist John Alfred Dorn III, who did several illustrations for the novels of [[wikipedia:Stanisław Lem|Stanisław Lem]]. It could also be a reference [[wikipedia:Michael Dorn|Michael Dorn]] who played Lt. Worf on Star Trek: The Next Generation.<br />
*'''DOS-1.0''' is a reference to one or all of the various early disk operating systems ([[wikipedia:PC-DIS|PC-DOS]], [[wikipedia:MS-DOS|MS-DOS]], [[wikipedia:Apple DOS|Apple DOS]], etc).<br />
*'''HAL-2001''' is a reference to the [[wikipedia:HAL 9000|HAL 9000]] computer from [[wikipedia:Arthur C. Clarke|Arthur C. Clarke]]'s and [[wikipedia:Stanley Kubrick|Stanley Kubrick]]'s [[wikipedia:2001: A Space Odyssey|2001: A Space Odyssey]]<br />
*'''JOR-15''' might be a reference to [[wikipedia:Jor-El|Jor-El]], superman's biological father in the DC comics universe.<br />
*'''KORB-7B'''<br />
*'''ME-262''' is a reference to the Messerschmitt [[wikipedia:Me-262|Me-262]], the first operational jet powered aircraft. <br />
*'''NECRO-99''' may be a reference to the robot NECRON-99 from the movie [[wikipedia:Wizards (movie)|Wizards]].<br />
*'''SR-71''' is a reference to the Lockheed [[wikipedia:SR-71|SR-71 Blackbird]], an advanced reconnaissance aircraft.<br />
*'''[[wikipedia:Merkur XR4Ti|XR4-TI]]''' was a car model manufactured by the short-lived [[wikipedia:Merkur|Merkur]] brand.<br />
<br />
====Human====<br />
*'''Adama''' is the captain of the [[wikipedia:Battlestar Galactica|Battlestar Galactica]] in the television series by the same name.<br />
*'''Belt''' is a reference to Henry Belt, captain of a solar sail vessel in Jack Vance's short story ''Sail 25''.<br />
*'''Buck''' refers to [[wikipedia:Buck Rogers|Buck Rogers]], a character who appeared in popular sci-fi comic strips and serials in the late 30's, as well as a later television series.<br />
*'''Decker''' is likely a reference to [[wikipedia:Willard Decker|Willard Decker]], captain of the [[wikipedia:Starship Enterprise|Starship Enterprise]] NCC-1701 in the movie [[wikipedia:Star Trek: The Motion Picture|Star Trek: The Motion Picture]].<br />
*'''Ender''' is a reference to the main character of the Orson Scott Card novel [[wikipedia:Ender's Game|Ender's Game]].<br />
*'''Graeme''' is a reference to Donal Graeme, a protagonist in the [[wikipedia: Childe Cycle|Childe Cycle]] novels by [[wikipedia:Gordon R. Dickson|Gordon R. Dickson]]. ''(This may also be a reference to other characters in this series with this same lastname.)''<br />
*'''Halleck''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Gurney Halleck|Gurney Halleck]] of the [[wikipedia:Dune universe|Dune series]].<br />
*'''Kirk''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:James T. Kirk|James T. Kirk]], captain of the [[wikipedia:Starship Enterprise|Starship Enterprise]] NCC-1701 in the original series of [[wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]].<br />
*'''Pike''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Christopher Pike|Christopher Pike]], captain of the [[wikipedia:Starship Enterprise|Starship Enterprise]] NCC-1701 in the pilot episode of [[wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]].<br />
*'''[[wikipedia:Pirx|Pirx]]''' is a reference to a fictional test pilot in a series of stories by Stanisław Lem.<br />
*'''Solo''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Han Solo|Han Solo]], captain of the [[wikipedia:Millennium Falcon|Millennium Falcon]] in [[wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]] episode 4 through 6.<br />
*'''Spiff''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Spaceman Spiff|Spaceman Spiff]], a fantasy identity of Calvin from [[wikipedia:Calvin and Hobbes|Calvin and Hobbes]]<br />
*'''Trent''' is a reference to Jeff Trent, civilian airline pilot from [[wikipedia:Plan 9 from Outer Space|Plan 9 from Outer Space]]<br />
*'''Tuf''' is a reference to Haviland Tuf, the protagonist in [[wikipedia:Tuf Voyaging|Tuf Voyaging]] by [[wikipedia:George R.R. Martin|George R.R. Martin]].<br />
*'''VanRijn''' is a reference to the merchant prince Nicholas Van Rijn in [[wikipedia:Poul Anderson|Poul Anderson]]'s stories.<br />
*'''Wu''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Louis Wu|Louis Wu]], the protagonist of Larry Niven's [[wikipedia:Ringworld|Ringworld series]].<br />
<br />
====Kohr-Ah====<br />
*All of their ship names appear to be '''Death''' followed by a [[wikipedia:Prime_number|prime number]].<br />
<br />
====Mycon====<br />
*'''Znuff''' could be a reference to the 1984 rock group [[wikipedia:Enuff Z'nuff|Enuff Z'nuff]].<br />
<br />
====Pkunk====<br />
*'''Tweety''' is likely a reference to [[wikipedia:Tweety|Tweety Bird]].<br />
*'''WudStok''' is Snoopy's friend [[wikipedia:Woodstock (Peanuts)|Woodstock]] in the comic strip [[wikipedia:Peanuts|Peanuts]].<br />
*'''Crow''' may refer to [[wikipedia:Crow T. Robot|Crow T. Robot]] from [[wikipedia:Mystery Science Theater 3000|Mystery Science Theater 3000]] as well as the obvious type of bird.<br />
<br />
====Shofixti====<br />
*'''Bonsai!''' is actually [[wikipedia:Bonsai|the Japanese art of pruning trees]], but is most likely a reference to the cry [[wikipedia:Ten thousand years|Banzai]].<br />
*'''Busu''' is a Japanese word for ugly<br />
*'''Chimchim''' most likely refers to the pet chimpanzee in [[wikipedia:Speed Racer|Speed Racer]].<br />
*'''[[wikipedia:Daikon|Daikon]]''' is a giant, white radish popular in Japanese cooking.<br />
*'''[[wikipedia:Gaijin|Gaijin]]''' is a disparaging Japanese term for foreigner.<br />
*'''Genjiro'''<br />
*'''Ginzu''' is probably the [[wikipedia:Ginsu|Ginsu knife]].<br />
*'''Hiyata'''<br />
*'''Ichiban''' is the Japanese word for the number 1, or first<br />
*'''Kimba''' refers to the main character in the Japanese animation [[wikipedia:Kimba the White Lion|Kimba, the White Lion]].<br />
*'''[[wikipedia:Katana|Katana]]''' is a Japanese sword.<br />
*'''[[wikipedia:Kudzu|Kudzu]]''' is an Asian plant that can be found in southern Japan.<br />
*'''Naninani''' is Japanese for "such and such"<br />
*'''[[wikipedia:Sushi|Sushi]]''' is Japanese for seasoned rice, usually associated with raw fish.<br />
*'''Tanaka''' is a fairly common [[wikipedia:Japanese name|Japanese surname]].<br />
*'''[[wikipedia:Tofu|Tofu]]''' is bean curd, popular in Japanese cooking.<br />
*'''Tora-3''' refers to the radio call announcing the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. [[wikipedia:Tora Tora Tora|Tora! Tora! Tora!]]<br />
*'''Wasabe''' is a Japanese condiment, usually spelled [[wikipedia:Wasabi|wasabi]].<br />
<br />
====Spathi====<br />
*'''Jinkeze''' is a reference to the catchphrase of [[Wikipedia:Velma Dinkley|Velma Dinkley]], a main character in the [[Wikipedia:Scooby-Doo|Scooby-Doo]] cartoons, which she says when she's is scared or surprised.<br />
<br />
====Supox====<br />
*'''Crinoid''' is a reference to the Krynoids, hostile sentient plants in the [[wikipedia:Doctor Who|Doctor Who]] episode ''The Seeds of Doom''.<br />
*'''Trifid''' is a reference to the carnivorous, mobile (and possibly intelligent) plants in [[wikipedia:The Day of the Triffids|The Day of the Triffids]].<br />
*All of the other captain names are parts or types of plants.<br />
<br />
====Syreen====<br />
*'''Aelita''' refers to the early Soviet sci-fi novel ''Aelita'' by [[wikipedia:Alexei Tolstoy|Alexei Tolstoy]] or to a silent film [[wikipedia:Aelita|Aelita:Queen of Mars]] based on it.<br />
*'''Alia''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Alia Atreides|St. Alia of the Knife]], the sister of [[wikipedia:Paul Atreides|Paul Atreides]] in the [[wikipedia:Dune universe|Dune series]].<br />
*'''Alura''' is possibly a reference either to Princess Allura in the [[wikipedia:Voltron|Voltron]] cartoon series or to the mother of [[wikipedia:Supergirl|Supergirl]].<br />
*'''Ardala''' is a reference to the Princess Ardala, nemesis of Buck Rogers. <br />
*'''Be'lit''' is a possible reference to [[wikipedia:Belit|Belit]], a pirate queen in the [[wikipedia:Conan the Barbarian|Conan the Barbarian]] stories.<br />
*'''Brawne''' refers to Brawne Lamia, a character in Dan Simmons' [[wikipedia:Hyperion Cantos|Hyperion Cantos]] books.<br />
*'''Dale''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Dale Arden|Dale Arden]], the girlfriend of [[wikipedia:Flash Gordon|Flash Gordon]].<br />
*'''Danning''' is a reference to the actress [[wikipedia:Sybil Danning|Sybil Danning]].<br />
*'''Dejah''' may be a reference to Dejah Thoris Burroughs (Deety) in Robert A. Heinlein's [[wikipedia:The Number of the Beast (novel)|The Number of the Beast]], or to Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, in the [[wikipedia:Barsoom series|Barsoom series]] by [[wikipedia:Edgar Rice Burroughs|Edgar Rice Burroughs]].<br />
*'''Maya''' refers to the attractive female [[wikipedia:Space 1999|Space: 1999]] character gifted with shapeshifing abilties.<br />
*'''Munro''' possibly refers to another genre actress, [[wikipedia:Caroline Munro|Caroline Munro]].<br />
*'''Penny''' possibly refers to the lead female character in the movie [[wikipedia:The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension|The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension]], or the character of Penny Robinson in the television show Lost in Space. <br />
*'''Ripley''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Ellen Ripley|Lieutenant Ripley]], as portrayed by [[wikipedia:Sigourney Weaver|Sigourney Weaver]] in the movie [[wikipedia:Alien (movie)|Alien]].<br />
*'''Sparta''' is a reference to the beautiful female protagonist with a mysterious past in the Venus Prime series by [[wikipedia:Arthur C. Clarke|Arthur C. Clarke]] and [[wikipedia:Paul Preuss|Paul Preuss]].<br />
*'''Teela''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Teela Brown|Teela Brown]], one of the heroines of the Larry Niven's [[wikipedia:Ringworld|Ringworld]] novels.<br />
*'''Yarr''' may be a reference to [[wikipedia:Natasha Yar|Natasha Yar]] who appeared in [[wikipedia:Star Trek: The Next Generation|Star Trek: The Next Generation]].<br />
<br />
====Umgah====<br />
*'''Brewz'k''' is likely the slang word brewski.<br />
*'''Ei'Ei'o''' is probably referring to the refrain of the children's song "Old Macdonald had a farm".<br />
*'''Bob''' is possibly a reference to the creators themselves: [[Toys For Bob]].<br />
<br />
====Utwig====<br />
*'''Nestor''' might refer to [[Wikipedia:Nestor|Nestor]], a hero celebrated as an elderly and wise counselor to the Greeks at Troy, or to the robots in Asimov's [[Wikipedia:I, Robot|I, Robot]].<br />
*'''Jujuby''' spelled '[[Wikipedia:Jujube|Jujube]]', is the fruit of a certain tree, also known as "Chinese Date".<br />
*'''Endo''' in Japanese is a type of pea, but could be a reference to [[Wikipedia:Shusaku Endo|Shusaku Endo]], a twentieth century Japanese author of several critically acclaimed novels. It might also refer to a slang word for [[Wikipedia:marijuana|marijuana]].<br />
<br />
====Zoq Fot Pik====<br />
*'''RinTin''' is likely named after the famous movie dog [[wikipedia:Rin Tin Tin|Rin Tin Tin]].<br />
<br />
==Ship Designs==<br />
*The '''[[Arilou]]'s [[Skiff]]''' vessel is reminicient of the 'traditional' flying saucers or UFO's.<br />
*The '''[[Earthling]] [[Cruiser]]''' seems to be inspired by the Federation Starships from [[wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]].<br />
*The '''[[Ilwrath]] [[Avenger]]''' shares the same approximate configuration as both the the [[wikipedia:Klingon starships|Klingon Bird-of-Prey]] and the [[wikipedia:Romulan starships|Romulan Warbird]] from Star Trek.<br />
*The '''[[Syreen]] [[Penetrator]]''' is shaped after the [[wikipedia:V-2 rocket|V-2 rocket]], and a dildo.<br />
*The '''[[Ur-Quan Kzer-Za|Ur-Quan]] [[Dreadnought]]''' bears more than a passing resemblence to the [[wikipedia:Battlestar Galactica (ship)|BattleStar command ships]] from BattleStar Galactica.<br />
*The '''[[VUX]] [[Intruder]]''' shares a similar relationship with the D7 class Klingon starship.<br />
<br />
==Constellation names==<br />
According to the [[HyperSpace]] starmap, the names for the HyperSpace constellations were taken from "traditional astronomical designations." These are the in-game star and constellation names that don't directly correspond to real life astronomical designations. (Some, such as Lalande and Wolf, appear to be derived from astronomical designations).<br />
*'''Almagest''' is a reference to the [[Wikipedia:Almagest|Almagest]], an astronomical treatise written by [[Wikipedia:Ptolemy|Claudius Ptolemaius]] and describing his geocentric theory.<br />
*'''Arianni''' may be a reference to [[Wikipedia:Ariane (rocket)|Ariane rockets]], which were the primary launch vehicle of the European Space Agency in the latter portion of the 20th century. An alternative origin may be the planet [http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/library/places/article/69410.html Ariannus] from the original [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]].<br />
*'''Brahe''' is a reference to [[Wikipedia:Tycho Brahe|Tycho Brahe]], the famous Danish astronomer of the 16th century.<br />
*'''Cerenkov''' is a reference to [[Wikipedia:Pavel Alekseyevich Cherenkov|Pavel Alekseyevich Cherenkov]], a Soviet physicist and Nobel laureate.<br />
*'''Chandrasekhar''' is a reference to the Indian-American astrophysicist [[Wikipedia:Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar|Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar]], famous for his work on stellar evolution and black holes.<br />
*'''Copernicus''' is a reference [[Wikipedia:Nicolaus Copernicus|Nicolaus Copernicus]], the polish astronomer who proposed the sun was the center of the solar system.<br />
*'''Gorno''' is a possible reference to the [[Wikipedia:Gorn|Gorn]], a race in [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]].<br />
*'''Hyginus''' is a reference to the attributed author of [[Wikipedia:Poeticon astronomicon|Poeticon astronomicon]].<br />
*'''Hyperion''' is a reference to the main setting of Dan Simmons' [[wikipedia:Hyperion Cantos|Hyperion Cantos]].<br />
*'''Illuminati''' is a reference to a variety of conspiracy theories, especially those of the [[Wikipedia:Illuminati|Bavarian Illuminati]].<br />
*'''Kepler''' is a reference to [[Wikipedia:Johannes Kepler|Johannes Kepler]] who discovered the three laws of planetary motion.<br />
*'''Klystron''' is a reference to a kind of vacuum tube used in early radar systems.<br />
*'''Lentilis'''<br />
*'''Lipi'''<br />
*'''Maksutov''' is likely a reference to the [[Wikipedia:Maksutov telescope|Maksutov telescope]] invented by the Russian optician [[Wikipedia:Dimtri Maksutov|Dimtri Maksutov]].<br />
*'''Mersenne''' is a reference to [http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/Mathematicians/Mersenne.html Marin Mersenne] a Minim friar who lived in France from 1588-1648 and was a major founder of number theory.<br />
*'''Metis''' is a moon of Jupiter, and correspondingly a character in Roman mythology.<br />
*'''Olber''' is likely a reference to [[Wikipedia:Heinrich Wilhelm Olbers|Heinrich Wilhelm Olbers]], a German astronomer.<br />
*'''Organon''' is likely a reference to either Francis Bacon's book [[Wikipedia:Novum Organum|The New Organon]] or Aristotle's [[Wikipedia:Organon|Organon]], after which Bacon's book was named. Alternatively it could be a reference to [[Wikipedia:Organia|Organia]], an important location in [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]], or to the [[Wikipedia:Organa family|Organa family]] in the [[Wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]] universe.<br />
*'''Ptolemae''' is a reference to [[Wikipedia:Ptolemy|Claudius Ptolemaius]], an ancient astronomer whose Geocentric views Copernicus replaced. <br />
*'''Raynet''' is possibly a misspelling of "Rayet", an existing astronomical designation. it could also be a reference to British amateur radio network [[Wikipedia:RAYNET|RAYNET]].<br />
*'''Saurus'''<br />
*'''Squidi'''<br />
*'''Vitalis'''<br />
*'''Zeeman''' is possibly a reference to the physicist [[Wikipedia:Pieter Zeeman|Pieter Zeeman]] for whom a [[Wikipedia:Zeeman (crater)|crater]] on the moon is named.<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Game mechanics]]</div>Andrevan