The Ultimate SOMA Discussion Thread

[GrAVit]

So, I think the mandarin letter on the top right of the window ("go out") is the equivalent of "escape" or the X button normally found in the upper right corners of windows in general.
Not sure what the "right column" or whatever could mean. Maybe it has no significant meaning.

[Sampyli]

All I'm thinking is why are they in mandarin?

[DavidS]

don`t let yourself be fooled by the most obvious translations.

[GrAVit]

I'm guessing Soma Systems is a Chinese company, then? I guess it would make sense considering China's increasing economy growth nowadays. I'm also guessing that the game takes place sometime in the future, sci-fi elements etc.
But what if they're working on System Shock 3? lol
Now that would be a SHOCK!

That teaser image they released looks a bit like Shodan?
Maybe? Just a tiny bit?
Would make sense with the "Cogito Ergo Sum".

Doesn't really fit with FG's style, I know, but I guess it's still a small possibility.

[Paddy™]

It looks like one of the little dudes from Darwinia XD

[Sampyli]

By the power of Google Translate:

右 (Yòu) = right (noun) off (adjective)

列 (Liè) = row, series, sort, kind, file (noun) arrange, line up (verb) various (adjective)

and

出 (chū) = come out, issue, go out, turn out, arise, put forth, put up, vent, exceed happen, expend (verbs)

or

measure word for dramas, plays or operas (LOL, auxilliary verb)

I don't know anything about chinese so of course those first two words could mean something completely different when they're used together ..

[Kreekakon]

By the power of my bilinguality...

右列 as far as I know would really just mean literally "Right row", and there isn't any other use for the phrase that I'm aware of.

出 is simply "Come out", or "Out" 90% of the time, and I doubt it could really be much anything else.

Teehee it's good to be Taiwanese.

[Sampyli]

Teehee it's good to be Taiwanese.

That's unfair, cheater xD

But since David said we shouldn't be fooled by the most obvious translations, are you sure it couldn't mean anything else?

E: 97%

[Kreekakon]

But since David said we shouldn't be fooled by the most obvious translations, are you sure it couldn't mean anything else?

Those really are the most obvious translations. While from what David said I'm pretty certain there might be an extra meaning, I don't have enough to go on to make any assumptions at all. I would need at least some sort of allusion to even make a guess that may be plausible.

Just based on standard language knowledge there isn't anything else "normal" those phrases are likely to mean than what I already said.

EDIT: HOLD THAT THOUGHT!!

It turns out after a bit of rummaging that 右列 also has some meanings that ONLY apply in old Chinese grammar...like really old:

1. A talented elder
2. The highest ranked of a once active "Six Ministries" that old dynasties of China used to employ called 吏部. The 吏部 mainly dealt with matters regarding employment, promotion, demotion, etc
3. A war commander

EDIT 2: By itself 右 in old Chinese grammar is also a way of saying someone is higher ranked than you, whether in truth, or as a compliment. It could also just mean someone's awesome.

[Zgroktar]

The last one seemed to be running 10 minutes late...