Tag: Video Games

“Nothing is true. Everything is permitted.”

From: Assassin’s Creed series

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Various characters

The story behind the quote: Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed series is a weird game if you think about it. Although it is set in the present time, the bulk of each game takes place in the past. You take control of Desmond, who uses a machine called the Animus so that he can relive the lives of his ancestors. His ancestors, by the way, just so happen to be a part of a clan of Assassins who used their skills to oppose the Knights Templar. He needs to experience their lives in order to to find an item that can possibly prevent the world from dying.

Anyway, the Assassins follow a Creed (hey, that’s the title of the games!) that is basically the quote in question. Although it is mentioned several times throughout the games. However, some people do not seem to really grasp the gravity and the meaning behind the message of the Creed. In Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (technically the fourth installment in the series), one of Desmond’s ancestors, Ezio Auditore de Firenze, explains it to someone…

Geek wisdom: Since there are two parts to the Creed (and already explained by Ezio very well), let’s just break it down into simpler words…

Saying that “nothing is true” is not actually a negative thing, as Ezio mentioned. All of the rules and laws that we’ve made are just that, they were made by us. And these rules can change for the better and the worse. Before, having a slave was not only acceptable, but gave people a sense of privilege. Thankfully, that time has passed and slavery has been pretty much outlawed all over the world.

However, the best part of the Creed (for me, anyway) is the “everything is permitted” part. We like to think that fate led us to what we have become up to this time. In fact, what we are right now is the culmination of all of our decisions. Even the smallest ones, like if you wanted to eat an apple or a candy bar as a snack, has made you the person that you are. When bad things happen to us, we like to think that “it isn’t my fault.” Well, it is. And we have to own up to our choices, whether the outcome be good or bad.

“Beware the battle cattle but don’t fear the battle cattle!”

From: Fallout: New Vegas

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: “Tabitha” and “Rhonda”

The story behind the quote: This quote actually comes from a fairly recent game called Fallout: New Vegas. I already have a post from the entire series, so I won’t really go into detail as to the backstory of the Fallout universe that Bethedsa created for it. If you want to see what I wrote or if you do want to learn the history of the series, you can check on that post here.

Anyway, you can hear the quote when you tune in to the Black Mountain Radio station. The broadcast is being controlled by Rhonda and his “best friend” Tabitha. Tabitha complains that the other Super Mutants are running away from fighting something called “battle cattle.” While she/he agrees they are dangerous, it is shameful that they are running away from the creatures “like a scared little human.” Rhonda then chimes in with the quote, telling them that they should be careful with fighting the battle cattle but they should not run away from the fight.

Geek wisdom: We have to face our fears or else those fears will control us. It’s like riding a roller coaster; it is terrifying but to simply not ride it will deny you from experiencing the fun and thrill it gives. I’m not saying that we should confront all our fears. I’m afraid of being stabbed by a mugger, but this doesn’t mean that I’m going to confront my fear and let myself be mugged. I’m saying that we should confront irrational fears.

Irrational fears are the fears that we know are kind of stupid but it is so deep within us that we let them control us. These are the ones we should face and show them who’s boss. In the game, the super mutants should be able to take down the battle cattle easily, but they are too afraid to face them since they were told to be afraid of them. We shouldn’t act like scared little humans in the face of irrational fears.

“The controls are online. The switch — and consequences — are yours.”

From: Mass Effect 2

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: EDI

The story behind the quote: While not particularly remembered by a lot of gamers, this quote comes from the 2nd Mass Effect game. Developed by Bioware, each of the Mass Effect games lets you take command of Commander Shepard, a tough space soldier who is destined to save the entire galaxy. However, each game has you making choices that will impact the other entries of the series. For example, in the first Mass Effect game, Shepard has to decide to sacrifice two of his loyal officers, Kaiden Alenko or Ashley Williams. Now, who you select does die and, if you import your save game to Mass Effect 2, this will impact the story. So, each choice you make becomes important.

The quote comes after you retrieve a krogan (think lizard alien) in a pod. Your ship’s AI, named EDI, informs Shepard that it cannot tell if the alien is hostile or not. However, if Shepard says that he/she (you get to choose Shepard’s gender) wants to release the krogan, EDI tells him/her that the choice is ultimately up to him/her… but he/she will have to live with the consequences.

Geek wisdom: Every decision that we make will always have a consequence and we cannot simply run away from the results of our actions. We have to take responsibility for our choices, whether it be good or bad.

“Stay awhile and listen!”

From: Diablo II

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Deckard Cain

The story behind the quote: This is a really classic quote and became synonymous with Blizzard’s massive hit, Diablo. The one delivering the quote is Deckard Cain, essentially a wise man who’s main role is to guide the hero (that’s you) on how to defeat the Lord of Terror, Diablo.

Although Deckard Cain is an old man, he has a vast knowledge of Diablo and his brothers, Baal and Mephisto. In fact, he is a descendant of one of the people who managed to defeat and imprison Diablo eons ago. In Diablo II, he becomes the guide to gives the players the necessary knowledge (and quests) to gain the skills and items to beat Diablo.

In fact, the quote was so popular that Blizzard made the voice actor, Michael Gough, create a rap song.

Geek wisdom: It’s a good idea to stop and listen to the opinions of others. While we may not follow them, it’s always a good idea to get the inputs of others. The reason is simple: they may see things differently from others. This is why, although the president will ultimately make the hard decisions needed to run a country, he (or she) will always turn to his advisers first.

Ask others to give their opinions regarding a topic or a choice; they may have some information that you don’t have or have another way of looking at a problem to help you make a better (informed) decision.

“Leeroy Jenkins!”

From: Youtube (I guess)

Genre: Video Games, Internet

Who said it?: Leeroy Jenkins (I guess)

The story behind the quote: This is going to be a weird one since it doesn’t really come from anything other than Youtube. However, it does bear mentioning that the video is funny if you know the basic idea behind it. So, let’s first explain what the video is about.

The video shows a bunch of friends planning a raid within the World of Warcraft MMORPG. Before then enter the citadel where the raid is to take place, the group huddle up and meticulously plan and strategize how they are going to attack and what each persons role will be to minimize losses.

Unfortunately, one of the players, Leeroy Jenkins, becomes impatient (or just doesn’t care about strategy) and charges into the battlefield, yelling his name like a battlecry. Leeroy’s actions alert all of the monsters in the citadel and they begin attacking. Their plans wrecked because of this impulsive act, the group is decimated very quickly and all they can do is berate Leeroy Jenkins for it.

Geek wisdom: Planning definitely helps, especially if you want to be successful. Rushing into a dangerous situation without any form of strategy is, as the video shows, just plain suicide. Take a step back and predict possible failure points and make countermeasures. This just doesn’t go for video games; planning also helps with every thing in life.

“No wise man would call himself “wise.””

From: Odin Sphere

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Demon King Odin

The story behind the quote: Odin Sphere was a under-appreciated game released during the end of the Playstation 2’s life cycle. It combines side-scrolling gameplay with RPG elements with beautiful hand-drawn sprites. Not only that, the story was pretty deep, with a huge number of interesting characters with a couple of twists along the way.

Anyway, the quote comes during the epilogue of  the Black Sword act. Demon King Odin finds out that his daughter, Gwendolyn, has been kidnapped by Inferno King Onyx of the fiery kingdom of Volkenon. Onyx informs Odin that the girl has not been harmed and, in fact, was a gift from the main antagonists of the game, the self-proclaimed Three Wise Men. Odin then rebuffs this, informing the Inferno King that a wise man does not need to call himself wise and they are just a group of thugs.

*By the way, if you can get this game, do it! It’s a great game!

Geek wisdom: Let your actions speak for themselves. If you’re good at doing something, just do it and people will recognize you for it. There are a lot of people out there who tell a good game, but when it all comes down to it, they just come off as being okay. There are also a lot of people who can back up their big talk with actual skills, but they mostly come off as arrogant.

Look at some of the greats: Michael Jordan, Stephen Spielberg to name a couple. They never claimed to be the greatest at what they do. However, a good majority of people think that they are. Somehow, not bragging about your skills actually elevates others perception of you. If you are wise, display it. Don’t advertise it.