Poster: Therisia at 8/10/2006 7:29:09 AM PDT
Subject: The Devs are very well read. |
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Anyone notice some of the ridiculously obscure refrences in WoW. For instance Iblis Blade of the Fallen Seraph is a reference to the Arabic for Satan (Iblis). Eskhandar's set references the Persian term for Alexander the Great. Anyone else spot other references that are hard to notice?
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| | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=9443951&p=#post9443951 |
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Poster: Nethaera at 8/10/2006 7:48:10 AM PDT
Subject: Re: The Devs are very well read. |
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That's one of the aspects of exploring the world that I love. All the small details that make you wonder if it's really a reference to 'x'.
There are so many details in the game from sound effects, to visual effects, to names of places and characters, to pop culture nods that I think it's one of the things I find myself wanting to explore more of. I've been playing since very very early beta and I still find new things.
In general though, most developers I've ever met or known have a very wide array of interests and backgrounds. It's one of the great things about being a part of a creative process is that the diversity is a bonus in that process.
Poisoned rationality served by candlelight.
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| | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=9443951&p=#post9444217 |
Poster: Nethaera at 8/10/2006 9:01:44 AM PDT
Subject: Re: The Devs are very well read. |
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"How to serve man" is my favorite Ogre cookbook. ;)
I have measured out my life in coffee spoons.
-TSE
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| | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=9443951&p=#post9445321 |
Poster: Nethaera at 8/10/2006 9:13:00 AM PDT
Subject: Re: The Devs are very well read. |
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Yes.
I have measured out my life in coffee spoons.
-TSE
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| | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=9443951&p=#post9445467 |
Poster: Nethaera at 8/10/2006 9:45:22 AM PDT
Subject: Re: The Devs are very well read. |
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Q u o t e:
I'm surprised noone has noticed many of the striking similarities between WoW lore and Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. A couple of examples off the top of my head:
A religious order which started out innocently enough but eventually turned to a zelous milataristic organization intent on driving out the evil corruption at whatever cost--in WoW they're called the Scarlet Crusade, in the WoT series, they're know (derogatively) as the Whitecloaks.
And, in WoW lore there was a time where the Highborne's lust for magical power resulted in the creation of the Well of Eternity which eventually led to a catyclsmic unleashing of power that ripped the face of the world in two, creating the two continents and the great maelstrom between them. In WoT lore there was a time when the men who could wield magic went insane and through their excessive use of the power devastaed the face of the world raising mountains where there were none etc. It was an event known as the Breaking of the World.
Those are two most obvious that come to mind. I wouldn't be surprised if there were name references scattered here and there, but nothing obvious that has jumped out at me since I began reading the WoT books.
You could say that though in truth there are no truly 'new' ideas or plots that exist just reinventions/retellings of them in new and interesting ways.
I tend to think of the Maelstrom as something more out of Homer's Odyssey.
I have measured out my life in coffee spoons.
-TSE
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| | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=9443951&p=#post9445961 |
Poster: Nethaera at 8/11/2006 8:06:30 AM PDT
Subject: Re: The Devs are very well read. |
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Q u o t e:
All human and gnome warlocks should be asshamed not to mention the Slaughtered Lamb pub? American Werewolf in London. Its the pub where the two americans go right before they get attacked by a werewolf.
There are plenty of unique bits and pieces in the world as well. All the places you visit have some significance from the various parts of the series or storyline.
Take for instance Tidus Stair. You can find it just south of Ratchet. It's not quite the same as from what we know in the past but it exists even in a small way. Or take Khadgar's Whisker, named for the hero Khadgar who slayed his own teacher (Medihv).
There are many such in game/created references as well. The world would not be what it is without those.
The other nods to pop culture, literary works and mythology have always been a part of Blizzard's many creations. It lends to itself a sense of humor and also a sense of familiarity that people can enjoy while they explore the other aspects of the game that are wholly new creations. World of Warcraft is not the only game that has added in these sorts of references and in general it's usually very well received by the public. People enjoy finding 'easter eggs' and we are talking about a game after all.
I have measured out my life in coffee spoons.
-TSE
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| | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=9443951&p=#post9459488 |
Poster: Nethaera at 8/11/2006 8:27:50 AM PDT
Subject: Re: The Devs are very well read. |
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Q u o t e:
"You could say that though in truth there are no truly 'new' ideas or plots that exist just reinventions/retellings of them in new and interesting ways.
I tend to think of the Maelstrom as something more out of Homer's Odyssey.
I have measured out my life in coffee spoons.
-TSE"
Nethaera, you're just trying to prove how well read you are with your Shakespeare allusion, Homer reference, and Thomas Stearns Eliot quote. Stop showing off! By the way, where did you get all them book smarts?!?
Shelves and shelves of books, a brother that is a major history buff, a mother who would take us to the library regularly and a maddening thirst for knowledge. I am a fount of often useless information. I really need a larger hardrive. ;x I don't even memorize phone numbers anymore. lol
I have measured out my life in coffee spoons.
-TSE
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| | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=9443951&p=#post9459860 |
Poster: Nethaera at 8/11/2006 8:56:53 AM PDT
Subject: Re: The Devs are very well read. |
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Q u o t e:
Try the book Congo, by Michael Crichton. The whole zone is based off of his stuff. The Kevin Smith movie is a very small minor reference by comparison.
WTB more geeks that read.
I really enjoyed the book. It was much better than the movie of course.
I have measured out my life in coffee spoons.
-TSE
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| | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=9443951&p=#post9460318 |
Poster: Nethaera at 8/10/2006 9:01:44 AM PDT
Subject: Re: The Devs are very well read. *edited post* |
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"How to serve man" is my favorite Ogre cookbook. ;)
I have measured out my life in coffee spoons.
-TSE
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| | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=9443951&p=#post9445321 |
Poster: Nethaera at 8/10/2006 9:13:00 AM PDT
Subject: Re: The Devs are very well read. *edited post* |
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Yes.
I have measured out my life in coffee spoons.
-TSE
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| | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=9443951&p=#post9445467 |
Poster: Nethaera at 8/10/2006 9:45:22 AM PDT
Subject: Re: The Devs are very well read. *edited post* |
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Q u o t e:
I'm surprised noone has noticed many of the striking similarities between WoW lore and Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. A couple of examples off the top of my head:
A religious order which started out innocently enough but eventually turned to a zelous milataristic organization intent on driving out the evil corruption at whatever cost--in WoW they're called the Scarlet Crusade, in the WoT series, they're know (derogatively) as the Whitecloaks.
And, in WoW lore there was a time where the Highborne's lust for magical power resulted in the creation of the Well of Eternity which eventually led to a catyclsmic unleashing of power that ripped the face of the world in two, creating the two continents and the great maelstrom between them. In WoT lore there was a time when the men who could wield magic went insane and through their excessive use of the power devastaed the face of the world raising mountains where there were none etc. It was an event known as the Breaking of the World.
Those are two most obvious that come to mind. I wouldn't be surprised if there were name references scattered here and there, but nothing obvious that has jumped out at me since I began reading the WoT books.
You could say that though in truth there are no truly 'new' ideas or plots that exist just reinventions/retellings of them in new and interesting ways.
I tend to think of the Maelstrom as something more out of Homer's Odyssey.
I have measured out my life in coffee spoons.
-TSE
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| | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=9443951&p=#post9445961 |
Poster: Nethaera at 8/11/2006 8:06:30 AM PDT
Subject: Re: The Devs are very well read. *edited post* |
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Q u o t e:
All human and gnome warlocks should be asshamed not to mention the Slaughtered Lamb pub? American Werewolf in London. Its the pub where the two americans go right before they get attacked by a werewolf.
There are plenty of unique bits and pieces in the world as well. All the places you visit have some significance from the various parts of the series or storyline.
Take for instance Tidus Stair. You can find it just south of Ratchet. It's not quite the same as from what we know in the past but it exists even in a small way. Or take Khadgar's Whisker, named for the hero Khadgar who slayed his own teacher (Medihv).
There are many such in game/created references as well. The world would not be what it is without those.
The other nods to pop culture, literary works and mythology have always been a part of Blizzard's many creations. It lends to itself a sense of humor and also a sense of familiarity that people can enjoy while they explore the other aspects of the game that are wholly new creations. World of Warcraft is not the only game that has added in these sorts of references and in general it's usually very well received by the public. People enjoy finding 'easter eggs' and we are talking about a game after all.
I have measured out my life in coffee spoons.
-TSE
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| | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=9443951&p=#post9459488 |
Poster: Nethaera at 8/11/2006 8:27:50 AM PDT
Subject: Re: The Devs are very well read. *edited post* |
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Q u o t e:
"You could say that though in truth there are no truly 'new' ideas or plots that exist just reinventions/retellings of them in new and interesting ways.
I tend to think of the Maelstrom as something more out of Homer's Odyssey.
I have measured out my life in coffee spoons.
-TSE"
Nethaera, you're just trying to prove how well read you are with your Shakespeare allusion, Homer reference, and Thomas Stearns Eliot quote. Stop showing off! By the way, where did you get all them book smarts?!?
Shelves and shelves of books, a brother that is a major history buff, a mother who would take us to the library regularly and a maddening thirst for knowledge. I am a fount of often useless information. I really need a larger hardrive. ;x I don't even memorize phone numbers anymore. lol
I have measured out my life in coffee spoons.
-TSE
|
| | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=9443951&p=#post9459860 |
Poster: Nethaera at 8/11/2006 8:56:53 AM PDT
Subject: Re: The Devs are very well read. *edited post* |
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Q u o t e:
Try the book Congo, by Michael Crichton. The whole zone is based off of his stuff. The Kevin Smith movie is a very small minor reference by comparison.
WTB more geeks that read.
I really enjoyed the book. It was much better than the movie of course.
I have measured out my life in coffee spoons.
-TSE
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| | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=9443951&p=#post9460318 |
