Memeology 101 – Favorite Pop Culture Reference In A MMORPG
Posted by Stropp on March 3, 2009Time to swipe an idea. Yep, plagiarism. Massively is asking readers, under their regular Daily Grind column, what is their favorite pop culture reference in a MMORPG. Well, I’m going to ask you the same question, and raise the stakes and make a meme out of it.
It depends on the game of course, but there are quite a few MMORPGs out there that include pop culture references that are designed to tickle the funny bones of their players. World of Warcraft is perhaps the biggest offender of the lot. It seems you can barely turn a virtual corner without running into some reference from literature, film or TV.
Now the theme of this meme — like the rhyme? — is to write about either the first pop culture reference that you encountered, or the best, your favorite, reference in a game, and if you remember, how you came across it or why it’s your favorite. Then nominate four other bloggers to carry on the meme theme.
My favorite, and also first, pop culture reference that I encountered occured when I was playing Anarchy Online.
AO was one of the few games at the time to offer housing. I had a small apartment, you could buy bigger, and was looking for some items to spruce it up. While looking in one of the stores, I came across a statue of The Goddess Buffy Summers.
Since I hadn’t previously seen pop culture references in a MMORPG, it gave me a real sense of connection. I was a fan of Buffy at the time (still am) and it made a sort of sense that 30,000 years in the future (the time that AO was set in) some of 21st century culture would have been mythologized. (I was waiting to see a reference to the Cult of Elvis the King at some point.)
So now it’s your turn. If you have a favorite reference, leave a comment below, or if you are one of the following bloggers: DM Osbon – Construed, Ysharros – Stylish Corpse, Pete – Dragonchasers, and Makkaio – The Fickle Corebear, you’ve been tagged.
You’re it!
Popularity: 20% [?]
Aiee, taggage! I’ll try to get to this tomorrow. It’s been a horrendously busy few work days (including all weekend) and may remain so for a few more.
Ha! Good meme Stropp – I’ll give it some thought & tag a few bloggers.
[...] 3, 2009 by Ysharros I’ve been tagged by the eponymous Stropp of Stropp’s World for a project that’s 100% of his own inspiration, aside from the bits (all of it) he’s [...]
I would have to say that beyond the shadow of a doubt, my all time favorite pop-culture reference was in Asheron’s Call. Hidden in a small cave in one of the hardest areas in the game was a fearful creature that would destroy and devour any foolish soul that dared come against it. (I beleive that it was killed only once, at least on Darktide)
As you got near the cave, and looked over a small rocky outcropping, you just might get lucky enough to see the fearsome beast before he slaughtered you, and to perhaps get a glance at his big, sharp, pointy teeth. Yes, there was a small, fluffy, white rabbit. The most foul-tempered rodent youve ever seen!
When I came across him, sadly, I was lacking in my supply of Holy Hand-Grenades, and I had to change my armor.
Ahh yes. I remember the white rabbit. I also remember players kiting him into one of the nearby towns resulting in much hilarity and lag.
Roflmao.
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