Saturday, December 31, 2016

My Favorite Pop Culture References In Mirage

If you quested through Mirage, you would see amazing pop culture references that it's hard to NOT recognize them. But just in case you didn't, let me tell you what my favorite pop culture references are in Mirage.

1. Tetrus Prison


The Tetrus prison is based off on the very popular yet simple Tetris game from the early 80's. This game was actually created in USSR and released on June 6th, 1984. It was also the very first entertainment game to be exported from USSR to USA. In Tetris, you had to match up the differently shaped tiles to create rows which in turn be destroyed.


If you were not fast enough making rows, your tiles will continue to build up until it hits the roof which ends the game. In Mirage's Tetrus Prison, you will see literal Tetris tiles move on the wall and in doors. It's a quite sight!


2. Rahqi Bal'boa



You will meet this huge boa character in Instaboa area. The name will and should be instantly familiar. The boxing gloves that he wears gives it away as well as his name.



He is referenced off the famous Rocky Balboa who is the main character of the Rocky movie series, performed by Sylvester Stallone.

3. Pally & Madam Pack Man


Once you arrive in Mirage, you will instantly meet Pally PackMan for your first quest. Percy PackMan is based off the Pac Man game. Pac Man is this yellow circular character with a big mouth who likes to eat. It also is another one of those extremely simple, yet addictive games in the 80's. But this one was an arcade game which was released in May of 1980 in Japan. In the game, you play as Pac Man who have to gobble up biscuits while trying not to get caught by four little colored ghosts. If you get tagged by ghosts enough times losing all of your remaining lives, game over.


In Wizard101, like I said before, you first meet Pally PackMan for your first official quest. But there's also a side quest where you meet Madam PackMan who begs you to find her friend, Percy PackMan who was searching for the Magic Fruit. This quest is obviously related to the Pac Man game based on the references you find while on this side quest.

The Magic Fruit you were asked to find, and of course the missing Percy PackMan, is the cure to Madam Packman's Packman Fever. Go figure. You will be able to enter a dungeon where you meet the four colored ghosts and where Pally got trapped. Another great Pac Man reference. But this time you have to defeat them to free him and collect the Magic Fruit. They're actually quite tough, but doable once you understand their cheats.

Apparently the Medicine Balls are the "biscuits" like in the Pac Man game.

And apparently the ghosts' names sound like a Nyquil commercial.


4. Snake Plizkin



The name should be instantly familiar to you once you meet him in Instaboa. His eyepatch should also tip you off.


He's referenced off on the main character named Snake Plissken from the very popular movie series, "Escape From New York" and "Escape From L.A." The New York movie was released in 1981 and the LA movie was released in 1996. Oh by the way, the character also had a snake tattoo on his belly. I always thought that was weird, but oh well.

5. Dumoozid



This one should be easy haha. This guy is based off on the incredibly popular mascot and brand name of a cleaning solution that cleans floors. This product was created by Linwood Burton who was a marine ship cleaning businessman and his friend Mathusan Chandramohan.



Apparently back then ships had to be cleaned using dangerous solvents that were dangerous to workers. This caused Linwood to invent this simple solution that helps cut grease, but was more safe to use. It was so successful that they were able to sell it to Proctor & Gamble which still owns this product to this day.


In Wizard101, he's a genie who really likes his place super clean. So clean that everything sparkles. A bit of warning, take off your shoes off outside. He doesn't like dirty floors. And no, don't touch anything.

6. Thieves' Den

Once you enter the Thieves Den instance, you will be dropped through a trap door which looks so familiar. Well, it should be! You can find that same trap door in the original Star Wars movies where Jabba the Hut did the same thing to Luke Skywalker.


Not only that, once you enter in the Underden dungeon after you fall through the trap door, there are one more Star Wars reference, Boa Fett. He's obviously based off Boba Fett. Heck, if you look carefully, the back of Boa Fett's jacket has a picture of Boba Fett!


7. Spice & Wurmings


Melani the Great Wurm, the wurmings and the mention of Spice is an obvious reference to the Dune books and movies. If you haven't watched or read them already, do it! In those books and movies, the people of Dune uses mined spice to sell for profit. But there's a war between houses and the feuding families wants sole ownership of the spice because hey, that makes them rich.


It's a long story. But the wurmings are a reference to giant worms that roam through the world's deserts in the Dune books and movies. And no, they're not friendly creatures. There's also a character named Pol Atraydies who sounds like Paul Atreides who's the main character in the books and movies. Like I said, read the books and movies, you will understand everything.

"Spice is life!"

And That's My List.

The above are not the ONLY pop culture references in Mirage. There are so many more, but I picked my favorites. For example - there are references from Aladdin characters and areas, Schrodinger's Cat, Robin Hood, Karate Kid and more.


What is your favorite Pop Culture reference in Mirage? Let us know. Have a great 2017!



Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Guide to the Winter Wonder Pack




There's now a brand new winter pack for the Holidays 2016. You now can have cool outfits that would make you a fairy or a royal. Heck, you can even be a reindeer! That's not the only thing that's great in this pack. There's also a brand new mount and pets, both of bunnies. And they're SUPER CUTE!

For gardeners, pet trainers and fisherpeople, one of the new gear sets is all about energy and boy, it sure gives great amounts of them. Be sure to grab them before the holiday season is over.

If you're worried about not being level 120 since you might not have finished Mirage, the best suggestion came from Alexander Lionheart who said to gift yourself the packs. That way, when you hit Level 120, even after the holidays are over, you can open them and get the best stuff for your wizard!

* means New Item Never Seen Before

Thanks Alexander Lionheart for the picture of hats' stats.

Spells

You also can learn the Krampus spell from this pack!

Mounts

Snowhopper Sleigh* 1 Day, 7 Day, Permanent

Mount Stats: 40% Speed

Blue Candy Cane 1 Day
Pink Candy Cane 1 Day
Green Candy Cane 1 Day
Yellow Candy Cane 1 Day
Red Candy Cane 1 Day
Mixed Candy Cane 1 Day


Pets

Snowhoppers*


Evil Snowman

Furniture

Skating Rink* (Auctionable)



Sparkle Globe* (Auctionable)



Green Garland with lights* (Auctionable)


Potted Poinsettia* (Auctionable)



Holiday Fireplace
Big Holiday Tree
Festive Yuletree
Winter Bed
Candle and Holder
Yuletide Peppermints
Yuletide Candy Canes
Holiday Cranberry Sauce
Dancing Reindeer Rug
Galloping Reindeer Rug
Snowflake Rug
Cream of Chicken Soup
Holiday Wreath
Spiral Wrapped Gift
Polka Dot Wrapped Long Gift
Star Wrapped Gift
Small Snowflake
Large Snowflake
Large Candle Holder
Tallow Candles
Small Candle

Yellow Holiday Ornament
Green Holiday Ornament
Red Holiday Ornament
Blue Holiday Ornament

Snowman
Large Snowy Maple Tree
Small Snowy Maple Tree
Large Snowy Evergreen
Small Snowy Evergreen
Snowy Pine
Snow Basin
Snow Pile
Large Fir Tree
Medium Fir Tree
Small Fir Tree


Wallpaper & Flooring


Krampus Wallpaper* (Auctionable)



Yule Presents Wallpaper* (Auctionable)



Blue Candy Canes Wallpaper* (Auctionable)



Snowboard Yuletide Decor Wallpaper
Winterblue Wallpaper
Night Snow Wallpaper

Fresh Powder Flooring


Treasure Cards

Jolted Snowman - Storm
Krampus - Fire
Magma Man - Fire


Gardening Seeds

Frozen Fly Trap
Evil Snow Peas


Reagents

Frost Flower


Pet Snacks

Rank 8 -
Mince Pie - Balance
Crystal Bites - Storm
Chocolate Crickets - Myth
Bedrock Bonbons - Balance

Rank 7 -
Crystal Web Candy - Death
Chocolate Comet - Fire
Cry Babies - Storm
Hickory Chicory - Ice
Pyramints - Myth
Snow Apple Cider - Ice
Senior Mint - Balance
Ninja Figgy Puddding - Death
Chili Peppermint - Fire

Rank 6 -
Cheese Cake - Myth
Assaulted Caramels - Death
Candy-Caned Yams - Storm
Choco-Latkes - Myth
Sourpuss Stovies - Myth
Gingerbread House - Ice
Jar of Jellybeans - Myth
Gummy Wyrms - Balance

Rank 5 -
Rock and Roll Candy - Death
Tuti-Fruiti Cake - Life
Egg Nog - Life

Rank 4 -
Peanutbutter Cup - Life
Athame Pop - Ice
Glowing Rock Candy - Myth
Nutty Candy Bar - Balance
Star Lollipop - Storm

Rank 3 -
Lollipop - Ice
Candy Bar - Death
Gummy Firecat - Storm

Rank 2 -
Glowing Taffy - Fire


Hairstyles


Snow Crown*



Ice Wig*



 Winter Antlers*



Gears

Santa Hat
Santa Robe
Santa Boots


The Complete Outfit











Wands

Candy Wand
Candle Wand
Ornamental Wand
Gingerbread Wand
Nutcracker Wand
Star Staff
Sweet Staff
Mint Staff







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