Star Trek Discovery Honors Forgotten Franchise Video Game
The recent episode of Discovery, “Whistlespeak,” didn’t exactly thrill me. I kept nodding off and the episode’s runtime was in a new position. This is a special technique I have perfected called “snore drive technology.” One part of the ep really caught me eye, though. Near the end of this Star Trek: Discovery episode, Booker is playing a very basic video game, and this seems to be a deliberate homage to the largely forgotten 1982 Star Trek game.
Relaxation Advice
For context, Booker didn’t exactly play a major role in this episode because it primarily focused on Captain Burnham and Tilly trying to solve the latest mystery in the Progenitor puzzle. However, Booker does have an interesting interaction early on with Dr. Culber in which the medical professional tells the former courier he needs to find a way to relax.
After all, there is literally nothing he can do in the search for the renegade lovers Moll and L’ak. The doctor’s advice is for Booker to find some kind of distraction that will help to recharge his mind so when Discovery really does need him, he will be ready.
Booker’s Gaming Choice
Only near the end of this Star Trek: Discovery episode do we discover that Booker’s choice of distraction is a video game. When Culber visits, he is surprised to discover the other man is playing a simple 2D game where the player must clear out what appears to be an asteroid field. The doctor asks why Booker doesn’t simply use the holodeck, and the answer is simple. Booker can always tell he is in a simulation and not the real thing.
Arcade Game Homage
Of course, that explanation doesn’t really explain why Booker went so low-tech with his choice of distraction. It’s one thing to ditch the holodeck, but why would this 32nd century character choose to play something that looked like an 80’s arcade game? My theory is simple. This Star Trek: Discovery episode is providing a winking homage to the 1983 arcade video game Star Trek: Strategic Operations Simulator.
Gameplay Analysis
If you check out some gameplay video for this title, it doesn’t perfectly match what Booker is doing in his own game. For example, Booker appears to be shooting asteroids, and this arcade game is focused on fighting Klingons, unnamed alien saucers, and (weirdest of all) the Nomad probe from The Original Series episode “The Changeling.” But the vector graphics of the old arcade game look a lot like the graphics on Booker’s game, as does the first-person shooter perspective.
Captain’s Chair Connection
Another possible way this Star Trek: Discovery video game is a loving homage to the old arcade title is that Booker plays it while sitting in the captain’s chair of his own ship.
The deluxe models of the original arcade game were modeled after the captain’s chair in Star Trek: The Motion Picture, and the screen was like a smaller version of Kirk’s own viewscreen. Booker is basically recreating the experience of sitting down in one of these deluxe models and blasting away, just like players did way back in 1983.
Nostalgic Homage
It’s possible that this Star Trek: Discovery scene is just meant to highlight how quirky Booker is, but I am confident this video game is meant to be a homage to Star Trek Strategic Operations Simulator. Even the rounded lights on his touchless interface seem to be an echo of the arcade game’s spinner control.
It’s very cute as nostalgic homages go, but it leaves me asking the most important question on behalf of gaming nerds everywhere. When are we finally going to get another good Star Trek video game, or at least bring back the Foundry to Star Trek Online?
