whatsinaname - Kotaku

posts about #whatsinaname more →
A Not So Brief History Of Video Game Names
Is World Of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King The New Expansion?

Your version of Internet Explorer is not supported. Please upgrade to the most recent version in order to view comments.

Dsmvwl Admin Promote to frontpage Approve user Ban user ×

excel_excel
06/20/09

In reply to A Not So Brief History Of Video Game Names
WOOHOO!
Reply

excel_excel was starred excel_excel was unstarred

ThePopeCat
06/19/09

In reply to A Not So Brief History Of Video Game Names
is it just me or does this propeller suit for toad make him look like the Great Gazoo?
Reply

ThePopeCat was starred ThePopeCat was unstarred

Kobun
06/20/09

@ThePopeCat: It does, and it makes me feel old knowing that most people reading your comment will have no idea who is the Great Gazoo barring a Google search.
Reply

Kobun was starred Kobun was unstarred

MaxDragon7
06/20/09

@ThePopeCat: Yes, it does, ha!

@Kobun: I had to go Google search because I haven't seen the Great Gazoo in such a long time. Gotta be reminded, ya know? :P
Reply

MaxDragon7 was starred MaxDragon7 was unstarred

NiGHTSSTUDiOhates2k
06/20/09

@Kobun:

I bet not all the readers are big dum dums.
Reply

Kobun
06/20/09

@NiGHTSSTUDiO: Huh? I'm not saying people are stupid for not knowing. It's just a reference which largely shows one's age, and I'd think most teenagers and under have not grown up watching the Flintstones or reruns of it.
Reply

Kobun was starred Kobun was unstarred

NiGHTSSTUDiOhates2k
08/02/09

@Kobun:

Wasn't the Great Gazoo's favorite nickname for Fred "dum dum"
Reply

blacksamurai87
06/19/09

In reply to A Not So Brief History Of Video Game Names
Listen up:

I don't plan on reading the article/book by this guy, but I can tell you that when Minoru Arakawa had Reggie's position at Nintendo of America (when it was founded), he would always pay the landlord of the place (Mario Segale) months later than the rent due date. Then Segale got pissed and bum rushed a business meeting, and the significance of that act got him some consideration for a character name, specifically, replacing the then-called "Jumpman."

Information on if he actually gave a damn or if he even knew the name was based on his, I don't know. I got this info from a book called "Game Over: Press Start to Continue", by David Sheff. Check it out.
Reply

blacksamurai87 was starred blacksamurai87 was unstarred

Platypus Man
06/19/09

@blacksamurai87: Yeah, the article addresses this. He says that it may just be a myth, as no one can actually prove that Mario Segale/Segali exists now or existed then (and he points to [www.mariosegale.com] in the process).

It takes a while, but the article is a great read, especially for those of us interested in this kind of really really geeky thing and/or these games. I knew some of what he said, but most of it was new to me.
Reply

Platypus Man was starred Platypus Man was unstarred

MellowJade
06/19/09

In reply to A Not So Brief History Of Video Game Names
Watching old G4TV's Icons I learned a lot about video game history.
Reply

MellowJade was starred MellowJade was unstarred

Str8_Jihadin
06/19/09

@MellowJade:

I fucking miss that show. That shit was the bomb!
Reply

Str8_Jihadin was starred Str8_Jihadin was unstarred

Squirrelbot3000
06/19/09

In reply to A Not So Brief History Of Video Game Names
Man, that is one long read. All the moreso I just skipped ahead until I found characters I was interested in.
Reply

Squirrelbot3000 was starred Squirrelbot3000 was unstarred

Ad-hominem
06/19/09

@Squirrelbot3000: Well, yeah, but that's because it's poorly written.

The dumbass who wrote this stumbles around the page, blindly fumbling for the words he wants to use.

You could literally read every third sentence, and get all the information, without the worthless filler he provides.
Reply

Ad-hominem was starred Ad-hominem was unstarred

Kobun
06/19/09

In reply to A Not So Brief History Of Video Game Names
It should be noted that the article also states that Seth in SFIV was named after the third son of Adam and Eve, which has long since been proven wrong. It could be fun reading to some, but don't take this as Gospel.
Reply

Kobun was starred Kobun was unstarred

fearing
06/19/09

@Kobun: Well, TECHNICALLY, since he would be the first Seth, all future Seths are named after him.
Served!
Reply

fearing was starred fearing was unstarred

SadAstronaut
06/20/09

@fearing: That just blew my mind.
Reply

SadAstronaut was starred SadAstronaut was unstarred

Kobun
06/20/09

@fearing: Can't argue with that logic. :p I actually wish it were true since it'd make sense story wise given Abel being Seth's brother of sorts, but the official answer is that he's named after Seth Killian which is far less poignant.
Reply

Kobun was starred Kobun was unstarred

woons
06/19/09

In reply to A Not So Brief History Of Video Game Names
That's odd, I was thinking about this kinda thing the other day ... well, more how the naming of most game characters hasn't progressed beyond the 80s action movie type.
Reply

woons was starred woons was unstarred

MaxDragon7
06/20/09

@woons: Travis Touchdown.
Reply

MaxDragon7 was starred MaxDragon7 was unstarred

Earlier discussions Other discussions Show all discussions Show featured discussions only Start a new discussion

#whatsinaname

Kotaku

SUBSCRIBE TO Kotaku

A Not So Brief History Of Video Game Names

Is World Of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King The New Expansion?

Login

Reset Password

Register

Submit Your Comment