Author Topic: Real-Life origins, ideas, & influences used in Video Games -  (Read 808 times)

disgaeniac

PRO Supporter

Real-Life origins, ideas, & influences used in Video Games -
« on: November 13, 2013, 12:13:35 pm »
Well, I've been having glimpses of bits & pieces for an idea for this topic flash through my mind/subconscious here and there for awhile now.

Up until now - I've either forgotten about it -OR- I just needed more time to figure out how I wanted to explain it/put it together.

I was also just going to do this under the 'umbrella' of the "VGCollect Anonymous" topic/thread (*Also* started by someone incredibly cool & awesome; for those of you who might not have already known this:) -BUT- I decided not to because I think (that if there's enough interest, discussion, and contributions to this topic); that, it would be better off as it's own 'stand-a-lone' kind of topic.

The *POINT* of the topic is to mention, add, and/or talk about things that you've seen/heard in video games (any games of any genres -on any platforms- would be just fine), that are based-on/inspired by origins/events in reaL life.

One example (actually...*Shitloads* of examples:) could come from the Shin Megami Tensei series of games -because- there are so many demons, God(s), and mythologies that just about all of their monsters & demons (read *Fusions*) are obviously based on varying real life religions & mythologies.

So, let's try to add more specific examples (I'm *Much* smarter, in a well-rounded way) thanks to things in video games inspiring me to research & learn about the real life origins that they were based on...

I'll kick things off with a few, quick examples:

- In Shadow-Hearts: Covenant - the town that you begin the game in ("Domremy") is not only a real town -but- it's where Joan of Arc is from,

- Joan of Arc is known as (in French) "La Pucelle".  In English, this translates to "The Maiden"; hence, giving a bit more significance to (the title) of a game such as La Pucelle: Tactics,

- Also from Shadow-Hearts: Covenant; the sword power upgrades that Karin collects are bits & pieces of pages of a real life, Wagnerian opera ("The Ring" aka "Nieberlung"(sp?)), and, one more - just to through a Disgaea game (actually, (2) games) into my examples =

- One of Desco's (most powerful) special skills/magic attacks is called..."Yog Soggoth" -which- is from HP Lovecraft's (starting with Cthulu; iirc) mythology/cosmology of "The Great Old Ones / Gods".

I *LOVE* this kind of shit!

If you do too...jump right in  ;)
"Attempts must be made, even when there can be no hope.
 The alternative is despair.
 And betimes some wonder is wrought to redeem us"




Re: Real-Life origins, ideas, & influences used in Video Games -
« Reply #1 on: November 14, 2013, 12:53:53 am »
My personal favourite, especially as it helps with the pronunciation, is that "Ys" was a mythical European city - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ys

Another is that the names of PSO's mags are all religious references. A few examples -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vritra
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudra
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitra_(Vedic)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vayu

disgaeniac

PRO Supporter

Re: Real-Life origins, ideas, & influences used in Video Games -
« Reply #2 on: November 14, 2013, 10:14:52 am »
My personal favourite, especially as it helps with the pronunciation, is that "Ys" was a mythical European city - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ys

Another is that the names of PSO's mags are all religious references. A few examples -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vritra
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudra
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitra_(Vedic)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vayu

Once again - I'm smarter...I didn't know about any of those!
"Attempts must be made, even when there can be no hope.
 The alternative is despair.
 And betimes some wonder is wrought to redeem us"




soera

Re: Real-Life origins, ideas, & influences used in Video Games -
« Reply #3 on: November 14, 2013, 10:23:09 am »
I knew about the pronunciation of Ys but I didnt know its actual history. Thats cool. :D

Re: Real-Life origins, ideas, & influences used in Video Games -
« Reply #4 on: November 14, 2013, 11:40:05 am »
Shame I don't know anything that's actually useful eh?  ;D

tpugmire

Re: Real-Life origins, ideas, & influences used in Video Games -
« Reply #5 on: November 14, 2013, 04:26:35 pm »
The only thing that comes to mind is that "Jumpman" (later called Mario) was based on the Italian landlord of the building that served as Nintendo of America's warehouse, back in the day. Or so I've heard anyway.
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