A pattern arises... what about Squeek?
Okay, I have another rambling theory based on heresay, so here goes!
So far, the general moral of oddworld has been a fairly pro-nature, pro underdog one, with representative species of the different sides of major ethical arguments here on earth as the characters. The folks at OWI seem very intune to these sorts of things, not just evident from their games, but their policies on corporate sponsorship and support of organizations like amnisty international and free tibet.
So, first there was Mudokons vs. Glukkons, with the mudokons reprisenting the controversy over slavery and unfair labor, against the glukkons as big business tromping all over the labor workers in the name of profit. Huge, huge controversial issues right there. Then it was Fuzzles (And, consequently, Gabbits, through Munch) vs Vykkers, with fuzzles reprisenting animal experimentation and poaching, Munch obviously reprisenting the endangering of wildlife and extinction of species, and Vykkers as inhumane experimentation. Again, all gigantic modern issues of ethics. Our first heros are a slave and an endangered "animal" that is experimented inhumanely on. But what does this leave?
This is, of course, where we come to Squeak, supposedly the next hero of oddworld. If the past games' pattern is to be continued (which seems likely, with how OWI is doing things lately), then Squeak's plight will mirror another major ethical controversy on Earth. As to what this is, I think our biggest clue comes from what I think will be the next opponent species.
If Chroniclers are the next "villain" species, the one that Squeak fights against in the oddworld paradigm, then this gives us a big clue as to what squeak's hardship will be. Chroniclers, as far as I am informed, are the lawers and beuracrats of Oddworld. First of all, let me slap myself for having not figured out this logical step first- Duh! First comes big business, then environmentally unsafe science, so the next step of course would be a corrupt legal system! If this is the "evil" that the Chroniclers reprisent, then Squeak will reprisent the opposition to this.
Although this is where hypothosizing ends for lack of facts, I have a guess that's as good as the next, I suppose. My guess would be this- Let's say, for the moment, that Squeak is one of the Ratz. His name fits, they're a cool species with a great gimmick going with the Raisin, it just makes sense. Now, what if, because of new legislation passed by chroniclers, the native land of the mudokons is taken away from them? First of all, this is another good example of a controversy on earth- the robbing of native americans by the U.S government of their land. It also brings Abe right back into the fray again. One of the lands encroached upon could be the huge lake where Munch is rearing the gabbiwogs, just as much of the Native american land taken was the primary grazing ground of the american bison, which has suffered an equally morbid fate. So, Abe and Munch are back.
Now, what happens if, when glukkons invade the land with sligs and whatever new forces we get to meet, the Mudokons aren't able to take everything in time- especially big, heavy, extremely old, once were trees type of things? I'm speaking, of course, about the Raisin, who we know has a connection to the ratz. The Ratz, of course, have to find the raisin, for they are equally entwined with him. Squeak is the savior of the ratz, and of the raisin, eventually. Because all three Abe, Munch, and Sqeak have the same basic enemy here- the chroniclers, and their corrupt legislation that puts land rights in Glukkon pockets, plus the Glukkons once more for abe because of the offensive, and the Vykkers could come back for Munch and capture gabbiwogs for more experiments, the adventure starts anew. Plus, the pattern continues, with Squeak and the Ratz reprisenting spirituality, wilderness and tradition, against the chroniclers, reprisenting modern government's ceaseless drive for expansion. It all fits.
Now, what comes after Squeak? Who knows? It's really kind of depressing when you think about it, but there is no shortage of actions and groups on earth with highly questionable ethics. Perhaps we will see Oddworld have a war between Glukkons and some new agressor from another continent, or maybe a species of highly religious zealots following false principles turn the Mudokon faith into a scapegoat for all societie's ills. We could even see an Oddworld halocaust, if things get serious enough. Who knows?
Wheh, if I'm making these things too long, tell me.
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