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General FreeSpace => FreeSpace Discussion => Topic started by: tinfoil on May 29, 2008, 06:42:11 pm

Title: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: tinfoil on May 29, 2008, 06:42:11 pm
Ok so we know that the freespace series is full of historical references but is it based on the bible?
strange as this may sound there is evidence. on the freespace site the music downloads are all named after sections in the bible. if someone knows the bible better than i do could you look into this?
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Blue Lion on May 29, 2008, 06:46:57 pm
Based on? No

Referenced? Yes
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: tinfoil on May 29, 2008, 06:48:33 pm
i guess my question really is are there events in freespace that correspond to biblical events?
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Unknown Target on May 29, 2008, 07:26:42 pm
No. There are events that are similar in context and are referenced, but no events that are based on the Bible.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: haloboy100 on May 29, 2008, 09:06:03 pm
A space sim based on the bible? :wtf:
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Hades on May 29, 2008, 10:15:26 pm
A space sim based on the bible? :wtf:
That is more ridiculous than the theory that the bible is made by God and all of the stuff in the the bible is a fact! Oh wait, no it isn't. :P
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: DarthWang on May 29, 2008, 10:32:31 pm
I think it's based on chess.

Because it has missions called "The King's Gambit", "The Sicilian Defense" and "Endgame"

Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: blackhole on May 29, 2008, 10:34:35 pm
The freespace music tracks were named after bible books because it sounded cool.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Akalabeth Angel on May 29, 2008, 10:47:09 pm
The freespace music tracks were named after bible books because it sounded cool.

      Sounded cool to who? The player never saw any of those in the normal campaign . . . though the names might be somewhat indicative of the mood of the piece.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Colonol Dekker on May 29, 2008, 11:18:30 pm
It's just another naming convention. The only parallel i can draw from gameplay is that the Colossus got crucified at the end.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Goober5000 on May 29, 2008, 11:24:38 pm
And then got resurrected? :confused:

There are Biblical allusions, but no direct analogies.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Droid803 on May 29, 2008, 11:42:03 pm
SC Cain is obviously based on the bible. It murdered its brother SC Abel....no wait it didn't. They both got killed by Alpha One.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Blue Lion on May 29, 2008, 11:43:50 pm
I've heard crazier theories
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: haloboy100 on May 29, 2008, 11:45:18 pm
Like?
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Stormkeeper on May 29, 2008, 11:46:17 pm
And then got resurrected? :confused:


 :wtf: If that happens ... That will be so ... well. Freaky.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Davros on May 29, 2008, 11:54:01 pm
Surely the bible is based on freespace...
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: blackhole on May 29, 2008, 11:56:51 pm
The freespace music tracks were named after bible books because it sounded cool.

      Sounded cool to who? The player never saw any of those in the normal campaign . . . though the names might be somewhat indicative of the mood of the piece.

Aldo provides some explanation:

The original substitle for FS2 was 'Exodus', incidentally; hence the biblical names of the music tracks.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Fenrir on May 30, 2008, 01:10:00 am
The freespace music tracks were named after bible books because it sounded cool.

      Sounded cool to who? The player never saw any of those in the normal campaign . . . though the names might be somewhat indicative of the mood of the piece.

Though there are other allusions other than those in the music names. Such as "as lightning fall" and probably some other mission names that I don`t remember.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Ashrak on May 30, 2008, 01:30:53 am
Surely the bible is based on freespace...


QFT :)
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Ghostavo on May 30, 2008, 04:16:01 am
I think it's based on chess.

Because it has missions called "The King's Gambit", "The Sicilian Defense" and "Endgame"

Which is interesting since one opening is just about as sharp as you can get while the other is considered the most agressive response to e4 and yet they managed to get to the endgame.  :D

Of course the Shivan dragon is a reference to the sicilian dragon...  :nervous:
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Jeff Vader on May 30, 2008, 04:59:04 am
You're all wrong. The Gambit is an obvious reference to the X-Men -> FreeSpace is based on the Marvel universe.  :lol:
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Stormkeeper on May 30, 2008, 05:54:29 am
You're all wrong. The Gambit is an obvious reference to the X-Men -> FreeSpace is based on the Marvel universe.  :lol:
QFT
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Tantalus53 on May 30, 2008, 06:38:08 am
Well, i can see where ya' got this from...

Few missions have some reference to the bible, most knowledgeable would be Such as the whole Story of Babel thing, but, as said earlier, more or less it just references some things.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Galemp on May 30, 2008, 07:41:21 am
There's the mission 'A Flaming Sword' which refers to the Seraphim guarding the gates of Eden. It's the one where you destroy the Knossos.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: IPAndrews on May 30, 2008, 07:50:14 am
Yes Freespace is based on the bible, and so is "Debbie Does Dallas". Debbie is Mary. Dallas is Jerusalem. Jesus is the result.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Colonol Dekker on May 30, 2008, 08:03:36 am
And then got resurrected? :confused:

There are Biblical allusions, but no direct analogies.

Duh, I didn't mean literally :lol:

It sure didn't get a health and benefit plan did it :D
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: tinfoil on May 30, 2008, 10:22:05 am
i think you goys pretty much nailed it but i still think it would be cool to be able to determine the reasoning behind in-game events using a single historical refernce as a guide
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: MP-Ryan on May 30, 2008, 02:55:12 pm
i think you goys pretty much nailed it but i still think it would be cool to be able to determine the reasoning behind in-game events using a single historical refernce as a guide

Not possible.

The FreeSpace plotline and referential systems are actually very poorly put together in that respect.  It doesn't follow any of the traditional allegorical formats.  Rather, historical and referential cues are in place during certain events and in certain missions to add depth.  However, there's no cohesive strategy.

The mission names are an excellent example.  Some are biblical, some are derivative of historical events (e.g. the Roman references in the first three), some refer to strategy (the chess moves), and some are simply based upon the events of the mission itself (e.g. Slaying Ravana, Into the Lion's Den).

There's no single allegorical theme to the entire plot either.  Certain events are Biblical allusions (the obvious one is the mission Exodus) but many others actually refer to other events.  Lysander was a Spartan general; in the same mission, Actium is the place of a Roman battle.  The ship classes don't even follow a single convention.    Most of the Terran ship names are derived from the Greek period, but then we have Fenris (Norse), Leviathan (Biblical), Knossos (Minoan, which is not the same as Greek), Mjolnir (Norse) even though its Vasudan and should be Egyptian, etc.

FS is a hodgepodge of history and mythology.  There's no point in trying to link it to a single reference point because there quite simply isn't one.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: DarthWang on May 30, 2008, 03:20:57 pm
I think it's based on chess.

Because it has missions called "The King's Gambit", "The Sicilian Defense" and "Endgame"

Which is interesting since one opening is just about as sharp as you can get while the other is considered the most agressive response to e4 and yet they managed to get to the endgame.  :D

Of course the Shivan dragon is a reference to the sicilian dragon...  :nervous:

I hear in FS3 there's going to be a SF Najdorf

Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: haloboy100 on May 30, 2008, 03:23:32 pm
I hear in FS3 there's going to be a SF Najdorf
:wtf:
There is no FS3.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: tinfoil on May 30, 2008, 03:25:27 pm
i think you goys pretty much nailed it but i still think it would be cool to be able to determine the reasoning behind in-game events using a single historical refernce as a guide

Not possible.

The FreeSpace plotline and referential systems are actually very poorly put together in that respect.  It doesn't follow any of the traditional allegorical formats.  Rather, historical and referential cues are in place during certain events and in certain missions to add depth.  However, there's no cohesive strategy.

The mission names are an excellent example.  Some are biblical, some are derivative of historical events (e.g. the Roman references in the first three), some refer to strategy (the chess moves), and some are simply based upon the events of the mission itself (e.g. Slaying Ravana, Into the Lion's Den).

There's no single allegorical theme to the entire plot either.  Certain events are Biblical allusions (the obvious one is the mission Exodus) but many others actually refer to other events.  Lysander was a Spartan general; in the same mission, Actium is the place of a Roman battle.  The ship classes don't even follow a single convention.    Most of the Terran ship names are derived from the Greek period, but then we have Fenris (Norse), Leviathan (Biblical), Knossos (Minoan, which is not the same as Greek), Mjolnir (Norse) even though its Vasudan and should be Egyptian, etc.

FS is a hodgepodge of history and mythology.  There's no point in trying to link it to a single reference point because there quite simply isn't one.

Yeah i think you are right but it was a passing thought and i thought i'd look into it. thanks
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: ShadowGorrath on May 30, 2008, 05:14:55 pm
Haloboy, there is a FS3. It's in everyone's head, heart, and anything attached.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: haloboy100 on May 30, 2008, 05:19:15 pm
I thought it was just in mods...
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Jeff Vader on May 30, 2008, 05:21:53 pm
There is an FS3. But it just is something you would have never expected (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3wbde_dir-en-grey-05-umbrella_music).

Pardon me. I believe I am intoxicated at the moment.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Stormkeeper on May 31, 2008, 02:52:50 am
There is an FS3. But it just is something you would have never expected (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3wbde_dir-en-grey-05-umbrella_music).
Ah yes. Certaintly not what I expected.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Grizzly on May 31, 2008, 05:52:21 am
The freespace music tracks were named after bible books because it sounded cool.

And because origannilly, the subtitle of Freespace 2 would be Exodus.

Freespace 2: Exodus.

Sounds nice.

Freespace 3: Crusade?
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Spicious on May 31, 2008, 09:53:34 am
The closest thing to a single reference would probably be Wikipedia or Encyclopedia Mythica.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: colecampbell666 on May 31, 2008, 10:54:37 am
Surely the bible is based on freespace...


QFT :)
Now you're talking.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Androgeos Exeunt on June 15, 2008, 02:16:17 am
Does anyone still have the old music zips from freespace2.com? There's a readme file in one of them written by Dan Wentz. He felt that using bible books for music names sounded cool.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: SPARTAN-367 on June 15, 2008, 07:03:32 am
Haloboy, there is a FS3. It's in everyone's head, heart, and anything attached.

Yap! He's got that right! :)
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Jeff Vader on June 15, 2008, 07:10:35 am
And because origannilly, the subtitle of Freespace 2 would be Exodus.

Freespace 2: Exodus.

Sounds nice.

Freespace 3: Crusade?
Actually, I was thinking of something like FreeSpace 3 - Colostomy. But who knows.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Stormkeeper on June 15, 2008, 08:40:43 am
Colostomy ? What does that even mean ?
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Ghostavo on June 15, 2008, 09:09:22 am
Colostomy ? What does that even mean ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colostomy

On second thought, you may not want to know.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Stormkeeper on June 15, 2008, 11:12:06 am
... Damnit, then remove the link.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: tinfoil on June 15, 2008, 02:43:15 pm
#1 that is creepy and disgusting
#2 stop replying to this thread :hopping:
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: haloboy100 on June 15, 2008, 07:56:07 pm
#2 stop replying to this thread :hopping:
Why are you giving orders?
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Droid803 on June 15, 2008, 08:08:51 pm
You know, I'm going to reply just to spite that statement.

And a Colostomy isn't that creepy nor disgusting. It's strange for sure, but its about as creepy as those people smoking through a hole in there neck.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: tinfoil on June 15, 2008, 08:11:32 pm
i find that creepy also
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Droid803 on June 15, 2008, 08:14:13 pm
Yeah, but for an unfortunate few, its how they live.  :blah:
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: tinfoil on June 15, 2008, 08:32:23 pm
you would think that if that's where smoking got you you would stop.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Mura on June 16, 2008, 03:25:45 am
AHAHAHAHAHA, i think Lobo's "invisible" statement about his intoxicated state still holds true to that last comment.

Aw man, i laughed so hard.
Now on-topic: i still think stuff got used in order to sound cool and fitting... nothing much more about it... just like how the capella from the ending video caused uproars about the real life vs. ingame physics, i still think was made more for the cool factor and certainly not as a simulation of a "what if..." :p
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Jeff Vader on June 16, 2008, 03:34:11 am
AHAHAHAHAHA, i think Lobo's "invisible" statement about his intoxicated state still holds true to that last comment.
On the contrary. I was quite sober when typing that colostomy bit. I just have other mental issues.

But with the ship class names and what not, it is exactly as Dan Wentz said: biblical and otherwise religious names sound cool. Just think about it: a Ravana-class destroyer Nebiros. Totally cool. Menacing. If they didn't use any religious themes, it would have just been Shivan Destroyer #15, Evil Big Ship #42 or something. Lame. And FreeSpace isn't limited to the Bible in any way. Shivan, Arjuna, Rakshasa... Hindu and Buddhist mythologies are also included. And it is all there simply because it sounds cool and epic to the player, who is fighting a one-man war against the cosmic destroyers.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Androgeos Exeunt on June 16, 2008, 05:42:10 am
On the contrary. I was quite sober when typing that colostomy bit. I just have other mental issues.

But with the ship class names and what not, it is exactly as Dan Wentz said: biblical and otherwise religious names sound cool. Just think about it: a Ravana-class destroyer Nebiros. Totally cool. Menacing. If they didn't use any religious themes, it would have just been Shivan Destroyer #15, Evil Big Ship #42 or something. Lame. And FreeSpace isn't limited to the Bible in any way. Shivan, Arjuna, Rakshasa... Hindu and Buddhist mythologies are also included. And it is all there simply because it sounds cool and epic to the player, who is fighting a one-man war against the cosmic destroyers.

I agree with you on that, Lobo. The Rakshasas in Into the Lion's Den deserved better names, and the Beast should probably be named Beelzebub instead. :nod:
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: Akalabeth Angel on June 16, 2008, 08:21:33 pm
you would think that if that's where smoking got you you would stop.

       And that's why smoking sucks.
Title: Re: Is Freespace Based on the Bible?
Post by: jr2 on June 17, 2008, 01:57:02 am
Ok so we know that the freespace series is full of historical references but is it based on the bible?
strange as this may sound there is evidence. on the freespace site the music downloads are all named after sections in the bible. if someone knows the bible better than i do could you look into this?

Is Halo?