Difference between revisions of "Influences and references"

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(→‎StarFlight influences: Thraddash-G'Nunk)
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{{incomplete}}
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===Nickname===
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It always amuses me when (most) people misspell Valaggar as Vallagar or Valagar. (Or Vlagger!)
  
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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 Haldeman|Joe Haldeman]], [[wikipedia:Dan Simmons|Dan Simmons]], [[wikipedia:Fred Saberhagen|Fred Saberhagen]] and 100 worthy others."
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===To-do list===
 +
*Create some articles that should be and are not:
 +
**[[Epsilon Camelopardalis Ia]]
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**[[Organon I]]
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**[[Alpha Pavonis VII]]
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**[[Delta Crateris V]]
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*Solve TODOs
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*Add disambiguation pages (by looking at pages from All Pages and inserting all other possible names for the articles, including names mentioned only there, such as "King-Killing Horn").
 +
*Anecdotes for Paul and Fred's pages (see [[User:Valaggar/Sandbox]]).
 +
*Add info about Syra's shattering to the articles: [[Syreen]], [[Syra]]
  
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===Funniest/Most Interesting Ultronomicon Edits===
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==Alien design==
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*"There is also a theory involving cows. More specifically, Ortogs. In SC3, (I know, it isn't often recognized as a sequel) the Xchaggers, a minuture race are found on an Ortog. Now, how did he get all the way to the Kessari Quadrant? The Ultron, also in SC3, uses the term "Cud" at one point. Cud, of course, is chewed by cows, and, presumably, Ortogs. The Ultron IS a powerful Precursor device, but not as powerful as they claim. I, and my brother, believe that the Precursors did not disappear, leave, become invisible, get killed, eaten, etc, but instead removed their own sentience and became Ortogs. After all, were you not raised on Ortog milk? Makes sense to me."
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The names of certain races introduced in [[Star Control II]] are taken from the so-called "[[Professor Zorg's Guide to Alien Etiquette]]" (the copy-protection of Star Control): [[Orz]], [[Pkunk]], [[Slylandro]], [[Supox]], [[Thraddash]] (as "Thrddash"), [[Utwig]], and [[Zoq-Fot-Pik]].
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(http://uqm.stack.nl/wiki/script/index.php?title=Precursor
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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".
 
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The pink triangle on the suits of the Androsynth in [[SuperMelee]] is a [[wikipedia:Pink triangle|gay symbol]].
 
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The Star Control 2 manual describes the [[Chenjesu]] as being "a bit more equal" than the other [[Alliance]] races, which is a reference to a [[wikipedia:Seven Commandments|similar statement]] found in ''[[wikipedia:Animal Farm|Animal Farm]]'' by [[wikipedia:George Orwell|George Orwell]].
 
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The name [[Drall]] is also used for a species in the Star Wars Expanded Universe, which lives on a planet with the same name in the Corellian System. The only reference to the [[wikipedia:List of Star Wars races (A-E)#Drall|Star Wars Drall]] prior to 1992 (pre-SC2) is in ''[[wikipedia:Han Solo and the Lost Legacy|Han Solo and the Lost Legacy]]'', where one is described as being "oily-skinned" with a gleaming red hide.
 
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The name [[Druuge]] is pronounced almost exactly like the ancient Persian word "druj" - a term of [[wikipedia:Zoroastrianism|Zoroastrian religion]] that is very roughly translated as "daeva (demon) of lies". Since the Druuge are proven liars and resemble the [[wikipedia:Daeva|daevas]], which are described as "beings with combined human and animal characteristics," this may have been an influence.
 
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The [[Ilwrath]] were named after a friend of the creators (XXX: both?) named McIlwraith.
 
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The name [[Melnorme]] is a reference to jazz singer [[wikipedia:Mel Tormé|Mel Tormé]].
 
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The [[Mycon]] is taken from the Greek prefix "myc-" or "myco-", which means Fungus.
 
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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). The *fingers* may originate from Asimov's story "[[wikipedia:Catch that Rabbit|Catch that Rabbit]]" where a robot known as DV-5 has six other robots under its control which are refered to as "fingers".
 
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Utricularia, as in ''[[Supox]] Utricularia'', is a genus of carnivorous plants more commonly known as [[Wikipedia:Bladderwort|Bladderwort]].
 
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The [[Shofixti]] are inspired by the historical [[wikipedia:History of Japan|Japanese culture]].
 
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"[[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."
 
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[[Spathi]] is "Sword" in Greek. Maybe, the name is meant to be very ironical, because the Spathi are so cowardly. Also, the rumours of the Black Spathi Squadron are most likely a reference to the [[Wikipedia:VMA-214|Black Sheep Squadron]] from World War 2.
 
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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.
 
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The [[Utwig]] seem partially inspired from various primitive cultures, especially African (such as the [[wikipedia:Dogon people|Dogon]]) — the concept of ritual masks and dances, as well as revering devices acquired from more advanced civilizations (the [[Ultron]]) as magical, are common traits of those people.
 
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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.
 
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===Larry Niven influences===
 
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A number of aliens draw some of their inspiration from Niven's [[wikipedia:Known Space|Known Space]] novels. Fred and Paul have openly admitted in a [[TFB chat protocols|1998 IRC chat]] to being influenced by these novels.{{ref|1}}
 
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*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." Like the [[wikipedia:Grogs|Grogs]], the Talking Pets are devolved forms of a once-great race.
 
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*The [[Precursors]] are also slightly similar to the Thrintun who likewise left behind relics to be used by the modern-day characters in Niven's novels and who were given a vague moniker, "Slavers", by later races since their real name was unknown.
 
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*Though not physiologically, the [[Spathi]] resemble less advanced versions of the cowardly [[wikipedia:Pierson's Puppeteer|Pierson's Puppeteer]]s.
 
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*The [[Arilou]], in their speculated capacity as genetic manipulators of humanity, are also similar to the Puppeteers.
 
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*The [[Melnorme]], like the [[wikipedia:Outsiders (Known Space)|Outsiders]], are traveling merchants who trade in information and will answer any question for the right price.
 
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**The [[Keel-Verezy]] may be similar to the [[wikipedia:Starseed|Starseeds]], sharing a similar relation with the [[Melnorme]] as the starseeds with the Outsiders.
 
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*The [[Shofixti]] are similar in appearance and warlike tendencies to the [[wikipedia:kzin|kzin]].
 
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===StarFlight influences===
 
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The creators of [[Star Control]] and [[Star Control 2]] worked in the making of the [[wikipedia:StarFlight|StarFlight]] games as well, and some SC elements are clearly inspired from the SF universe:
 
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*The name [[Arilou Lalee'lay]] may originate from the StarFlight race Aeoruiiaeo.
 
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*Physically, the [[Umgah]] resemble the Spemin. In terms of behavior, they are almost identical to the Teeelveee.
 
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*Culturally and psychologically, the [[Utwig]] resemble the Dweenle - and, in a lesser degree, the Lieu Vadish.
 
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**The [[VUX]] also appear to be influenced by the Lieu Vadish.
 
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*The [[Supox]] greatly resemble the Elowan.
 
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*The [[Mmrnmhrm]] resemble the Mechan.
 
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*Physically, the [[Mycon]] resemble the Nathracch.
 
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*Psychologically, and due to the fact that in order to make friends with both species it is necessary to kill many of them, the [[Thraddash]] resemble the G'Nunk.
 
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*The useless [[Wimbli's Trident]] and [[Glowing Rod]] resemble some similar, useless "alien curiosities" from StarFlight.
 
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*The denomination "[[Interstar Credits]]" is probably inspired from the name of the currency in the game, "Interstel Credits".
 
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==Dialog==
 
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The default name of [[The Captain]], Zelnick, may come from Strauss Zelnick, the CEO of [[Crystal Dynamics]] at the time of the 3DO version of Star Control II was being made. The producer of the 3DO version of Star Control II was Crystal Dynamics.
 
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====Arilou====
 
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The [[Arilou]]'s final remark "Be seeing you..." may be a reference to the tv series [[wikipedia:The Prisoner|The Prisoner]].
 
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====Ilwrath====
 
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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]].
 
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[[wikipedia:Captain Satellite|Captain Satellite]], which the [[Ilwrath]] confess to have watched on [[Channel 44]] prior to [[Dogar and Kazon]]'s transmissions, was a show on KTVU-2 in Oakland, California.
 
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====Melnorme====
 
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The Melnorme line "This very morning, I was just saying to subordinate Ochre `Fe-Fi-Fo-Fum! I smell the feet of a Hu-Hu-Man!'" refers to the fairy tale [[Wikipedia:Jack and the Beanstalk|Jack and the Beanstalk]], where an ogre (a flesh-eating giant) speaks the line "Fee-fi-fo-fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman.". The similarity between the subordiate's name "Ochre" and "ogre" is probably not a coincidence either.
 
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The phrase "itchy pods" from the Melnorme line "I had itchy pods this morning, Captain, and here you are!" may come from the wives' tale of "itchy palms" that predict wealth. It may have also been influenced, consciously or unconsciously, by [[wikipedia:Dr. Seuss|Dr. Seuss]]' book "On Beyond Zebra", which introduces the letter "ITCH" with the line "And 'way, 'way past Z is a letter called ITCH. And the ITCH is for Itch-a-pods, animals which [...]".
 
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====Pkunk====
 
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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|Froot Loops]], which features a toucan resembling the Pkunk as its mascot.
 
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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.)
 
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The Pkunk mention channeling a ancient warrior called [[Rumdumdaddy]], which is likely a reference to [[wikipedia:Ramtha|Ramtha]], an ancient Lemurian warrior that [[wikipedia:JZ Knight|JZ Knight]] claims to channel.
 
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Many Pkunk dialog is a play on Far East/New Age philosophies. The Pkunk's observation that everyone in their past lives were famous, rich or interesting, and that hence other people don't reincarnate makes fun of the readings of so-called psychic mediums, who generally try to inspire faith by telling people what they want to hear. Along these same lines, The Captain mentions a [[wikipedia:Ouija|Ouija Board]], another common element of some New Age philosophies, when dissuading the Pkunk from returning to the Yehat.
 
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====Shofixti====
 
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[[Tanaka]]'s opening comments, "you killed my father, my mother, my many brothers, all six of my sisters - in fact, my entire race! 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]].
 
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====Slylandro====
 
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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 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.
 
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====Spathi====
 
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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]].
 
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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]]".
 
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====Starbase====
 
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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".
 
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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.
 
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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:
 
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*"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]]
 
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*"several targets in the Amazon rain forest" - possibly [[Wikipedia:El Dorado|El Dorado]] or simply just other undiscovered city centers in the Amazon jungle
 
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*"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]]''
 
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*"broad swath of the ocean floor in the south-eastern Atlantic" - possibly [[Wikipedia:Atlantis|Atlantis]]
 
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The idea of a "[[psychon]]" present in Commander Hayes' statement that when an electric current is fed into the [[Taalo Shield]] "all evidence of psychon interaction is flatlined" probably originates from [[wikipedia:Sir John Eccles|Sir John Eccles]]' psychon theory, presented in his book "[[wikipedia:How the Self Controls Its Brain|How the Self Controls Its Brain]]".
 
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====Utwig====
 
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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]].
 
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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]].
 
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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.
 
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The Utwig parting phrase "May the Ultron be with you!" is a variation on the [[Wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]] phrase "May the Force be with you."
 
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The [[Chief Groo]]'s name may originate from [[wikipedia:Groo the Wanderer|Groo the Wanderer]]'s name.
 
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====VUX====
 
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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.
 
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The VUX say that [[Captain Rand]]'s [[Insult]] fixed their attitude setting at "ABHOR", which may be a reference to [[Professor Zorg's Guide to Alien Etiquette]] from Star Control 1, where the player was to select the correct attitude for a given situation; one of the answers was "ABHOR", again in all caps.
 
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====Yehat====
 
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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.
 
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====Zoq-Fot-Pik====
 
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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]].
 
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The coordinates "...ziggerfau-gerrrnuf, Ah-ah, Pahoy-hoy" of the Zoq-Fot-Pik homeworld given in their initial encounter refers to Hawaiian words for two types of [[Wikipedia:lava|lava]] flows, "Aa" and "Pahoehoe".
 
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====Other====
 
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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. 
 
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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]].
 
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==Ship Captains==
 
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Numerous ship captain names are actually references.
 
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====Androsynth====
 
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*'''1040-EZ''' is a common [[wikipedia:Form 1040EZ|tax return form]] in the United States.
 
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*'''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.
 
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*'''[[wikipedia:AK-47|AK-47]]''' is the famous Avtomat Kalashnikova assault rifle
 
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*'''BHS-79''' ''(just a wild guess here- is this the initials of one of the high schools they attended, and their graduation date?)''
 
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*'''BIM-XT''' is an anagram for the [[wikipedia:IBM XT|IBM XT]] personal computer from the early 1980s
 
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*'''BOOJI-1''' is a possible reference to the character [[wikipedia:Booji Boy|Booji Boy]] from the band [[wikipedia:Devo|Devo]].
 
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*'''CRC-16''' is a 16 bits "[[wikipedia:Cyclic redundancy check|Cyclic redundancy check]] (an error-detecting checksum).
 
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*'''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.
 
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*'''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).
 
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*'''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]]
 
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*'''JOR-15''' might be a reference to [[wikipedia:Jor-El|Jor-El]], superman's biological father in the DC comics universe.
 
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*'''KORB-7B''' might refer to [[wikipedia:Lawrence Korb|Lawrence Korb]], a former US Secretary of Defense heavily involved in military security.
 
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*'''ME-262''' is a reference to the Messerschmitt [[wikipedia:Me-262|Me-262]], the first operational jet powered aircraft.
 
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*'''NECRO-99''' may be a reference to the robot NECRON-99 from the movie [[wikipedia:Wizards (movie)|Wizards]].
 
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*'''SR-71''' is a reference to the Lockheed [[wikipedia:SR-71|SR-71 Blackbird]], an advanced reconnaissance aircraft.
 
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*'''[[wikipedia:Merkur XR4Ti|XR4-TI]]''' was a car model manufactured by the short-lived [[wikipedia:Merkur|Merkur]] brand.
 
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====Druuge====
 
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*'''Moola''' is a play on "moolah", an English slang word for money.
 
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*'''Duulard''' could be a play on "dullard," which is slang for a boring person.
 
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====Human====
 
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*'''Adama''' is the captain of the [[wikipedia:Battlestar Galactica|Battlestar Galactica]] in the television series by the same name.
 
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*'''Belt''' is a reference to Henry Belt, captain of a solar sail vessel in Jack Vance's short story ''Sail 25''.
 
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*'''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.
 
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*'''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]].
 
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*'''Ender''' is a reference to the main character of the Orson Scott Card novel [[wikipedia:Ender's Game|Ender's Game]].
 
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*'''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.)''
 
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*'''Halleck''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Gurney Halleck|Gurney Halleck]] of the [[wikipedia:Dune universe|Dune series]].
 
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*'''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]].
 
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*'''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]].
 
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*'''[[wikipedia:Pirx|Pirx]]''' is a reference to a fictional test pilot in a series of stories by Stanisław Lem.
 
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*'''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.
 
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*'''Spiff''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Spaceman Spiff|Spaceman Spiff]], a fantasy identity of Calvin from [[wikipedia:Calvin and Hobbes|Calvin and Hobbes]]
 
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*'''Trent''' is a reference to Jeff Trent, civilian airline pilot from [[wikipedia:Plan 9 from Outer Space|Plan 9 from Outer Space]]
 
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*'''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]].
 
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*'''VanRijn''' is a reference to the merchant prince Nicholas Van Rijn in [[wikipedia:Poul Anderson|Poul Anderson]]'s stories.
 
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*'''Wu''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Louis Wu|Louis Wu]], the protagonist of Larry Niven's [[wikipedia:Ringworld|Ringworld series]].
 
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====Ilwrath====
 
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*'''[[wikipedia:Gorgon|Gorgon]]''' is a famous Greek mythological creature, of which [[wikipedia:Medusa|Medusa]] was one.
 
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*'''Kalgon''' might refer to [[wikipedia:Calgon|Calgon]], a cleansing product.
 
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*'''Taragon''' likely refers to the spice [[wikipedia:tarragon|tarragon]]
 
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*'''[[wikipedia:Baylor University|Baylor]]''' is a university in Waco, Texas.
 
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====Kohr-Ah====
 
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*All of their ship names appear to be '''Death''' followed by a [[wikipedia:Prime_number|prime number]].
 
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====Mycon====
 
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*'''Znuff''' could be a reference to the 1984 rock group [[wikipedia:Enuff Z'nuff|Enuff Z'nuff]].
 
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*'''[[wikipedia:Spork|Spork]]''' is an eating utensil, a hybrid of a spoon and a fork.
 
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====Pkunk====
 
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*'''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.
 
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*'''Ernie''' is likely a reference to the British cartoon [[wikipedia:Ernie (comic strip)|Ernie]].
 
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*'''Tweety''' is likely a reference to [[wikipedia:Tweety|Tweety Bird]].
 
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*'''WudStok''' is Snoopy's friend [[wikipedia:Woodstock (Peanuts)|Woodstock]] in the comic strip [[wikipedia:Peanuts|Peanuts]].
 
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====Shofixti====
 
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*'''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]].
 
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*'''Busu''' is a Japanese word for ugly
 
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*'''Chimchim''' most likely refers to the pet chimpanzee in [[wikipedia:Speed Racer|Speed Racer]].
 
−
*'''[[wikipedia:Daikon|Daikon]]''' is a giant, white radish popular in Japanese cooking.
 
−
*'''[[wikipedia:Gaijin|Gaijin]]''' is a disparaging Japanese term for foreigner.
 
−
*'''Genjiro''' is likely a reference to [[wikipedia:Genjiro Arato|Genjiro Arato]], a Japanese movie producer, actor, and director.
 
−
*'''Ginzu''' is probably the [[wikipedia:Ginsu|Ginsu knife]].
 
−
*'''Hiyata''' is a reference to the title character of the Japanese show [[wikipedia:Ultraman|Ultraman]], where it can also be spelled "Hayata".
 
−
*'''Ichiban''' is the Japanese word for the number 1, or first
 
−
*'''Kimba''' refers to the main character in the Japanese animation [[wikipedia:Kimba the White Lion|Kimba, the White Lion]].
 
−
*'''[[wikipedia:Katana|Katana]]''' is a Japanese sword.
 
−
*'''[[wikipedia:Kudzu|Kudzu]]''' is an Asian plant that can be found in southern Japan.
 
−
*'''Naninani''' is Japanese for "such and such"
 
−
*'''[[wikipedia:Sushi|Sushi]]''' is Japanese for seasoned rice, usually associated with raw fish.
 
−
*'''Tanaka''' is a fairly common [[wikipedia:Japanese name|Japanese surname]].
 
−
*'''[[wikipedia:Tofu|Tofu]]''' is bean curd, popular in Japanese cooking.
 
−
*'''Tora-3''' refers to the radio call announcing the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. [[wikipedia:Tora Tora Tora|Tora! Tora! Tora!]]
 
−
*'''Wasabe''' is a Japanese condiment, usually spelled [[wikipedia:Wasabi|wasabi]].
 
−
 
 
−
====Spathi====
 
−
*'''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 is scared or surprised.
 
−
 
 
−
====Supox====
 
−
*'''Crinoid''' is a reference to the Krynoids, hostile sentient plants in the [[wikipedia:Doctor Who|Doctor Who]] episode ''The Seeds of Doom''.
 
−
*'''Trifid''' is a reference to the carnivorous, mobile (and possibly intelligent) plants in [[wikipedia:The Day of the Triffids|The Day of the Triffids]].
 
−
*All of the other captain names are parts or types of plants.
 
−
 
 
−
====Syreen====
 
−
*'''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.
 
−
*'''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]].
 
−
*'''Alura''' is possibly a reference either to Princess Allura in the [[wikipedia:Voltron|Voltron]] cartoon series or to the mother of [[wikipedia:Supergirl|Supergirl]].
 
−
*'''Ardala''' is a reference to the Princess Ardala, nemesis of Buck Rogers.
 
−
*'''Be'lit''' is a possible reference to [[wikipedia:Belit|Belit]], a pirate queen in the [[wikipedia:Conan the Barbarian|Conan the Barbarian]] stories.
 
−
*'''Brawne''' refers to Brawne Lamia, a character in Dan Simmons' [[wikipedia:Hyperion Cantos|Hyperion Cantos]] books.
 
−
*'''Dale''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Dale Arden|Dale Arden]], the girlfriend of [[wikipedia:Flash Gordon|Flash Gordon]].
 
−
*'''Danning''' is a reference to the actress [[wikipedia:Sybil Danning|Sybil Danning]].
 
−
*'''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]].
 
−
*'''Maya''' refers to the attractive female [[wikipedia:Space 1999|Space: 1999]] character gifted with shapeshifing abilties.
 
−
*'''Munro''' possibly refers to another genre actress, [[wikipedia:Caroline Munro|Caroline Munro]].
 
−
*'''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.
 
−
*'''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]].
 
−
*'''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]].
 
−
*'''Teela''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Teela Brown|Teela Brown]], one of the heroines of the Larry Niven's [[wikipedia:Ringworld|Ringworld]] novels.
 
−
*'''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]].
 
−
 
 
−
====Umgah====
 
−
*'''Bob''' is possibly a reference to the creators themselves: [[Toys For Bob]].
 
−
*'''Brewz'k''' is likely the slang word "brewski".
 
−
*'''Ei'Ei'o''' is probably referring to the refrain of the children's song ''[[wikipedia:Old MacDonald Had a Farm|Old MacDonald Had a Farm]]''. The name was used before in [[Professor Zorg's Guide to Alien Etiquette]] in [[Star Control 1]].
 
−
 
 
−
====Ur-Quan====
 
−
*While all captain's names are '''Lord''' followed by a number, '''Lord 666''' is notable as a  reference to the [[wikipedia:Number of the Beast|Number of the Beast]].  There is no known pattern to their numbers, unlike the Kohr-Ah.
 
−
 
 
−
====Utwig====
 
−
*'''Endo''' might refer to a slang word for [[Wikipedia:marijuana|marijuana]]. In Japanese, this is also type of pea.
 
−
*'''Manny''' might refer to the main character in [[wikipedia:Robert A. Heinlein|Robert A. Heinlein]]'s book [[wikipedia:the Moon Is a Harsh Mistress|The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress]].
 
−
*'''Nestor''' might refer to the [[Wikipedia:NS-2|NS-2]], a robot model in Asimov's "[[Wikipedia:Little Lost Robot|Little Lost Robot]]" that can, by inaction, allow a human to be harmed.
 
−
*'''Jujuby''' might be an alternate spelling of '[[Wikipedia:Jujube|Jujube]]', which is the fruit of a certain tree, also known as the "Chinese Date".
 
−
 
 
−
====VUX====
 
−
*'''[[wikipedia:Program Information File|PIF]]''' is a file extension used in early versions of [[wikipedia:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]].
 
−
*'''VIP''' is an acronym meaning "very important person".
 
−
*'''YUK''' likely comes from the work "yuck" -- an appropriate name, given the VUX's appearance.
 
−
*'''[[wikipedia:zit|ZIT]]''' likely comes from the skin blemish of the same name.
 
−
*'''NRF''' may refer to the toy gun brand [[wikipedia:Nerf|Nerf]].
 
−
 
 
−
====Yehat====
 
−
*'''Beep-eep''' could refer to the token sound made by the [[wikipedia:RWile E. Coyote and Road Runner|Road Runner]] in various [[wikipedia:Looney Tunes|Looney Tunes]] animations and products.
 
−
*All the rest of their captains' names simply change the first letter.
 
−
 
 
−
====Zoq Fot Pik====
 
−
*'''RinTin''' is likely named after the famous movie dog [[wikipedia:Rin Tin Tin|Rin Tin Tin]].
 
−
*'''TikTak''' is likely a reference to the [[wikipedia:Tic Tac (candy)|Tic Tac]] breath mints or to the children's game [[wikipedia:Tic-tac-toe|Tic-tac-toe]].
 
−
 
 
−
==Ship Designs==
 
−
*The '''[[Arilou]]'s [[Skiff]]''' vessel is reminiscent of the 'traditional' flying saucers or UFO's.
 
−
*The '''[[Earthling]] [[Cruiser]]''' seems to be inspired by the Federation Starships from [[wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]].
 
−
*The '''[[Ilwrath]] [[Avenger]]''' shares the same approximate configuration as both the [[wikipedia:Klingon starships|Klingon Bird-of-Prey]] and the [[wikipedia:Romulan starships|Romulan Warbird]] from Star Trek.
 
−
*The '''[[Mmrnmhrm]] [[X-Form]]''' takes inspiration for both of its transformation forms from two popular [[wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]] Rebellion fighters -- the [[wikipedia:X-Wing|X-Wing]] and the [[wikipedia:Y-Wing|Y-Wing]], respectively.
 
−
*The '''[[Syreen]] [[Penetrator]]''' is shaped after the [[wikipedia:V-2 rocket|V-2 rocket]], and a dildo.
 
−
*The '''[[Ur-Quan Kzer-Za|Ur-Quan]] [[Dreadnought]]''' seems to be inspired by the [[wikipedia:Battlestar Galactica (ship)|Battlestar command ships]] from Battlestar Galactica.
 
−
*The '''[[VUX]] [[Intruder]]''' looks very similar to the D7 class Klingon starship.
 
−
 
 
−
==Star and constellation names==
 
−
According to the [[HyperSpace]] starmap, the names for the HyperSpace stars and 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. Others such as Lalande and Wolf, while not the name of actual constellations, appear to be derived from astronomical designations.
 
−
*'''Almagest''' is a reference to the [[Wikipedia:Almagest|Almagest]], an astronomical treatise written by [[Wikipedia:Ptolemy|Claudius Ptolemaius]] and describing his geocentric theory.
 
−
*'''Arianni''' may be a reference to the "inner earth people" with the same name mentioned in a purported [http://www.reversespins.com/byrd.html missing diary] of [[wikipedia:Admiral Byrd|Admiral Byrd]]. Alternative origins may be the [[Wikipedia:Ariane (rocket)|Ariane rockets]], which were the primary launch vehicle of the European Space Agency in the latter portion of the 20th century, the planet [http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/library/places/article/69410.html Ariannus] from the original [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]], the [[wikipedia:Arianism|Arianist]] religious doctrine, the [[wikipedia:Aryan|Arian/Aryan]] (Proto-Indo-European) people or the ancient Greek historian [[wikipedia:Arrian|Arrian]].
 
−
*'''Brahe''' is a reference to [[Wikipedia:Tycho Brahe|Tycho Brahe]], the famous Danish astronomer of the 16th century.
 
−
*'''Cerenkov''' is a reference to [[Wikipedia:Pavel Alekseyevich Cherenkov|Pavel Alekseyevich Cherenkov]], a Soviet physicist and Nobel laureate.
 
−
*'''Chandrasekhar''' is a reference to the Indian-American astrophysicist [[Wikipedia:Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar|Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar]], famous for his work on stellar evolution and black holes.
 
−
*'''Copernicus''' is a reference [[Wikipedia:Nicolaus Copernicus|Nicolaus Copernicus]], the polish astronomer who proposed the sun was the center of the solar system.
 
−
*'''Gorno''' is a possible reference to the [[Wikipedia:Gorn|Gorn]], a race in [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]].
 
−
*'''Hyginus''' is a reference to the attributed author of [[Wikipedia:Poeticon astronomicon|Poeticon astronomicon]].
 
−
*'''Hyperion''' is a reference to the main setting of Dan Simmons' [[wikipedia:Hyperion Cantos|Hyperion Cantos]]; in turn, the denomination is taken from the name of the mythological Titan [[wikipedia:Hyperion (mythology)|Hyperion]].
 
−
*'''Illuminati''' is a reference to a variety of conspiracy theories, especially those of the [[Wikipedia:Illuminati|Bavarian Illuminati]].
 
−
*'''Kepler''' is a reference to [[Wikipedia:Johannes Kepler|Johannes Kepler]] who discovered the three laws of planetary motion.
 
−
*'''Klystron''' is a reference to a kind of vacuum tube used in early radar systems.
 
−
*'''Lentilis''' is probably a reference to the Lentili from David Brin's short story [[Wikipedia:Sshhh ...|Sshhh ...]].
 
−
*'''Lipi''' is possibly a misspelling of "[[wikipedia:Lupus (constellation)|Lupus]]", an existing constellation.
 
−
*'''Maksutov''' is likely a reference to the [[Wikipedia:Maksutov telescope|Maksutov telescope]] invented by the Russian optician [[Wikipedia:Dimtri Maksutov|Dimtri Maksutov]].
 
−
*'''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.
 
−
*'''Metis''' is a [[wikipedia:Metis (moon)|moon of Jupiter]], and correspondingly a [[wikipedia:Metis (mythology)|character]] in Greek mythology.
 
−
*'''Olber''' is likely a reference to [[Wikipedia:Heinrich Wilhelm Olbers|Heinrich Wilhelm Olbers]], a German astronomer.
 
−
*'''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.
 
−
*'''Ptolemae''' is a reference to [[Wikipedia:Ptolemy|Claudius Ptolemaius]], an ancient astronomer whose Geocentric views Copernicus replaced.
 
−
*'''Raynet''' is possibly a misspelling of "[[wikipedia:Wolf-Rayet|Rayet]]", an existing astronomical designation. It could also be a reference to British amateur radio network [[Wikipedia:RAYNET|RAYNET]].
 
−
*'''Saurus''' is possibly a reference to [[wikipedia:Eden Phillpotts|Eden Phillpotts]] novel ''Saurus''. It is also similar to the Greek word for "reptile".
 
−
*'''Squidi'''
 
−
*'''Vitalis'''
 
−
*'''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.
 
−
 
 
−
==Other==
 
−
*'''[[Leyland Gravity Whip]]s''' are named after Robert Leyland, a Toys For Bob programmer.
 
−
 
 
−
*The name and appearance of most '''[[Table of bio types|bio types]]''' found on planets originate in some way from real (living or not) things. The less obvious ones are listed below:
 
−
**'''Roto-Dendron''' is likely a [[wikipedia:Portmanteau|portmanteau]] of "[[wikipedia:Roto|roto]]" and "[[wikipedia:Rhododendron|rhododendron]]" (the name of a real plant).
 
−
**'''Macrocilla''' is probably a misspelling of "macrocilia", an existing [[wikipedia:Organelle|organelle]] found in the mouths of some [[wikipedia:Ctenophore|ctenophores]].
 
−
**In '''Splort Wort''', "splort" is an onomatopoeia for the shooting of a liquid, and "wort" is old English for "herb".
 
−
**The '''Bug-Eyed Bait''' resembles a worm, and indeed, worms are used as bait in fishing. Also, the large eyes of the creature justify the epithet "bug-eyed".
 
−
 
 
−
==Notes and references==
 
−
{{note|1}}{{IRC1998}}
 
−
::<Manta> Fwiffo: Has anyone ever brought up parallels between Babylon 5 and Star Control?<br>
 
−
::<Fwiffo> Babylon 5 causes a certain amount of stomping around the office screaming.<br>
 
−
::<Fwiffo> Babylon 5 steals from us.  We steal from known space.<br>
 
−
::<Fwiffo> And Larry in known space steals from others.
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
[[Category:About the Star Control series]]
 
−
[[Category:Trivia]]
 

Revision as of 02:12, 5 July 2007

Nickname

It always amuses me when (most) people misspell Valaggar as Vallagar or Valagar. (Or Vlagger!)

To-do list

Funniest/Most Interesting Ultronomicon Edits

  • "There is also a theory involving cows. More specifically, Ortogs. In SC3, (I know, it isn't often recognized as a sequel) the Xchaggers, a minuture race are found on an Ortog. Now, how did he get all the way to the Kessari Quadrant? The Ultron, also in SC3, uses the term "Cud" at one point. Cud, of course, is chewed by cows, and, presumably, Ortogs. The Ultron IS a powerful Precursor device, but not as powerful as they claim. I, and my brother, believe that the Precursors did not disappear, leave, become invisible, get killed, eaten, etc, but instead removed their own sentience and became Ortogs. After all, were you not raised on Ortog milk? Makes sense to me."

(http://uqm.stack.nl/wiki/script/index.php?title=Precursor

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