Star Control II: The Ur-Quan Masters (1992) --- The Finest War Crimes Simulation Ever Made

In this episode of SOCIETY OF SENSATION, I analyze the 1992 open-world RPG hybrid STAR CONTROL II: THE UR-QUAN MASTERS. I discuss the game's exploration of trauma and aberrant psychology, how it was at the center of one of gaming's most significant legal battles, its long road to a genuine sequel, and much more. Have a suggestion for a game I should review? Post it in the comments. (If I don’t own the game in question and you’re willing to gift it to me on Steam, your recommendation will carry more weight.) You can also get new SOCIETY OF SENSATION episodes via the following platforms: Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/mattforney Patreon:   / mattforney   Substack: https://mattforney.substack.com/ X/Twitter: https://x.com/mattforney Sources: “Now and Forever: The Legacy of the Star Control Universe”: https://www.hardcoregaming101.net/now... “Critically Acclaimed Mass Effect Powered by Unreal Engine 3”: https://www.unrealengine.com/blog/mas... “Arcade Arcana: Star Control II — Mass Effect’s Estranged, Spiritual Father”: https://web.archive.org/web/201203160... MASS EFFECT footage from Denny Ayard:    • Mass Effect Liara Sex Scene   ROGUE footage from Dave Anthony:    • Rogue - Dungeons of Doom Walkthrough   SUPER MARIO BROS 3 footage from Basileous:    • Super Mario Bros 3 (NES) Level 1-1   THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: A LINK TO THE PAST footage from packattack04082:    • The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past 10...   SONIC THE HEDGEHOG footage from xAG64x:    • Sonic gameplay Level 1 (Sega Mega Drive)   "IBM Lowers Prices to Fight Off Clones": https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1990/06/... "IBM's 386 Tower of Power: The PS/2 Model 80": https://www.userlandia.com/home/ibm-p... DUKE NUKEM II footage from Dosgamert:    • Duke Nukem II - Episode 1: Level 1 (1993) ...   EGA TREK footage from Squakenet:    • Ega Trek gameplay (PC Game, 1992)   "Jason David Frank's Wife Reveals 'Power Rangers' Star Died by Suicide: 'He Was Not Without His Demons'": https://people.com/tv/jason-david-fra... "Free Stars: Children of Infinity --- Official Announcement Trailer":    • Free Stars: Children Of Infinity - Officia...   "How Star Control II Was Almost TOO Realistic":    • How Star Control II Was Almost TOO Realist...   SPACEWAR! footage from the Dot Eaters:    • Spacewar! -  PDP-1 - One of the First Vide...   ARCHON: THE LIGHT AND THE DARK footage from World of Longplays:    • Amiga Longplay Archon - The Light and the ...   STARFLIGHT footage from Squakenet:    • Starflight gameplay (PC Game, 1986)   "Classic Game Postmortem: Star Control":    • Classic Game Postmortem: Star Control   "The Greatest Games of All Time: Star Control II": https://web.archive.org/web/200503051... "Are Gen Z Less Tech Savvy Than Previous Generations?": https://thred.com/tech/are-gen-z-less... "Star Control Lead Devs Fire Back at Stardock Lawsuit": https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/star... STAR CONTROL 3 footage from ZarlaSheenaza:    • Star Control 3 - The Pkunk   "Star Control 3": https://www.hardcoregaming101.net/sta... "Accolade's StarCon Cancelled": https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/10/... "Infogrames Takes Accolade": https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/04/... "Infogrames Ready to Ship First Games Under Atari Brand": https://www.gamespot.com/articles/inf... PANDEMONIUM footage from Squakenet:    • Pandemonium gameplay (PC Game, 1996)   THE HORDE footage from Retro Games and 90's Attractions:    • The Horde 3DO - intro and gameplay   "Star Control II: Deadlines and Dead Ends": https://crpgaddict.blogspot.com/2019/... "Star Control Creators Paul Reiche and Fred Ford: Extended Interview":    • Star Control Creators Paul Reiche & Fred F...   "What is the Difference Between Copyright and Trademark": https://blackmontlegal.com/blog/what-... "How Long Does Copyright Protection Last?": https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/fa... "Ask Sam: How Long Does a Trademark Last?": https://rinckerlaw.com/ask-sam-how-lo... "Brian Fargo: Having Fun Again": https://web.archive.org/web/200312061... More links here: https://mattforney.substack.com/p/epi... Book excerpts from HONORING THE CODE: CONVERSATIONS WITH GREAT GAME DESIGNERS by Matt Barton and HIGH SCORE! EXPANDED: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF VIDEO GAMES by Rusel DeMaria.