Oddworld - ironic?

Gluk Schmuck · #1 09-11-2001, 01:25 PM

i've been thinking...(ouch!)

and i think that the 'Odd' part of Oddworld is ironic...

my reasoning:
Oddworld is actually a blurred depiction of the real world (ie. Gluks are the evil bosses; Sligs, the trigger-happy control-freaks; etc)

therefore the 'Odd' of Oddworld could be replaced with 'Real' or 'This' and the name would be compltely accurate

agree, disagree ???

One, Two, Middlesboogie · #2 09-11-2001, 02:59 PM

No, I disagree. I did notice that parts of Oddworld could be construed as metaphors for Tellus, but I think in truth it's just a fantasy world, and that any resemblances between Oddworldians and Tellurians are just there to be amusing.

***Wil*** · #3 09-11-2001, 03:26 PM

A lot of the Oddworld is almost taking the micky of our own world - the hilarious advertising slogans, the 'Passport to Oddworld' style. Another lot of the Oddworld is trying to tell us and warn us of the problems in our own world - slavery, animal cruelty, natural depletion and so on. I could not say that that was odd.

What I would call odd is the world itself - the bizarre and truely alien (yet amazingly believable) creatures, characters, situations, technology, ideas...all the everyday things we take for granted, such as a family dog, have been distorted almost beyond recognition into something which is truely odd.

Of course, the most truely odd thing about everybody's favourite alternative dimension is that the Oddworldian characters speak English (or whatever language they talk as on your owned game).

By the way, Middlesboogie, where do you get the world Tellus from? I have always considered us as 'Terrans' or just the classic 'Earthlings'.

[ September 11, 2001: Message edited by: Max the Mug ]

Gluk Schmuck · #4 09-11-2001, 06:18 PM

to Middlesy: when you said 'Tellus', you meant Earthlings?...hmmm

to Maxy: that's also right

neemis · #5 09-11-2001, 10:44 PM

Actually, I think what they meant by ODD in Oddworld is all the creatures. I definately agree about the Glukkons and Sligs part being like our world.

Lampion · #6 09-12-2001, 03:45 AM

Oddworld Universe is a reflection of our own reality, no doubt, after all, it blossomed from a creative kid's mind, Lorne Lanning.

The ODD part of it always meant "unique" to me, rather than "strange".

One, Two, Middlesboogie · #7 09-12-2001, 05:11 PM

Just to clear up 'Tellus' and 'Tellurians'. Yes, they are just flowery ways of saying 'Terra' amd 'Terrans'. Although, if you do a bit of research, you'll find that 'Tellus' is actually the correct name for our planet.

Danny · #8 09-15-2001, 07:05 PM

middles: i think you'll find that's 'Terra', isn't it?

i thought it was fairly obvious that oddworld was a satire of our own world, and i'm amazed that middlesboogie can think that it's just a plain fantasy world, to be honest... i mean, Lorne's obviously giving us moral messages about my own world, is that not painfully obvious?

FuzzyFuzzle · #9 09-15-2001, 11:27 PM

I agree. I remember an interview with Lorne where he says something about fantasy that tells us something about or own world is much more meaningful than "fantasy for fantasy's sake" as Lorne said it. Making a game where an office worker did the same things abe did would not be as interesting and thought-provoking as the Oddworld series. I believe it is a caricature of our own world, where everything is amplified to get the meaning through. If the Glukkons were 'slightly unfair' as opposed to what they really are, then Abe killing all of them would be kind of evil, don't you think? Oops I'm ranting aren't I?

MrBoj · #10 09-16-2001, 11:31 PM

Oddworld is another world in a parallel dimension, one that may be parallel to our own, only 10 times larger.

One, Two, Middlesboogie · #11 09-17-2001, 02:40 PM

All right, it's nitpicking time! *cracks knuckles* Ow, must stop doing that...

MrBoj, I believe you mean a parallel universe, not a dimension. You cannot enter a dimension (which are things like length, breadth, height, time, and light).

And yes, that does mean that it is erroneous for me to call my site The Fifth Dimension, but it sounds better than The Fifth Universe.

Gluk Schmuck · #12 09-18-2001, 02:34 PM

you never know, Oddworld may be in this universe...

joey · #13 09-23-2001, 12:46 PM

ANYWAY, YOU KNOW WHAT REALY CURLES MY ALARM CLOKS? ODDWORLD REALLY COULD BE IN THIS UNIVERSE! BUT IF IT ISNT, WELL IVE SPENT MY LIFE SAVINGS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING THAT ISNT THERE!

Black Dragon · #14 09-23-2001, 02:19 PM

Grargh... rantingman, please do not use all caps like that and please make the post less confusing!! Yes, Oddworld may exist somewhere, it's a possibility, we may never know.

***Wil*** · #15 09-23-2001, 05:56 PM

In an infinite universe, anything and everything is possible and real. However, OWI have said that Oddworld is in a parallel dimension.

A parallel dimension is no better or worse than saying parallel universe. It's the 'parallel' that is wrong: it should be 'alternative' or 'different' but, although correct, just doesn't sound right. Parallel dimensions are not to be confused with parallel timelines, which exist at different points along the probability axis, or 'timefork'.

I'm more than just an Oddworld Encyclopedia as you can see. But the bottom line is, Oddworld is not in this universe/dimension. It is, luckily, in this plane of reality.

Sal the Mudokon · #16 09-23-2001, 08:35 PM

Oddworld is the distorted reflection of our world, its cultures, and its inhabitants- merely seen through a broken mirror.

someone quote me on that cuz it was pretty damn good!