My feelings are with Sopheroo on this. The holidays were renamed to claim some sort of "separatism" from real world things. Still connected to holidays, but their own spin. I loved the pandemic for this... valentines, but with a zombie twist. I can totally even back up the idea of having this holiday so closely in proximity as someone has stated, to similar holidays in Asian culture... like Lumi is where Christmas is and on and on, but the name just totally flubbed it for me. I say this as someone who has many pet names (and UN) wrapped in many ancient cultures. I'm an addict for anything ancient but... Subeta has it's own lore and it would have been great to see a name/language/style that was similar yet different. It's just as possible as creating pets that look like 3 different animals at once. It's all familiar but has surprising elements. Learning Subeta lore as it's own separate entity was always part of the appeal for me, so much so that when we recently had access to more pet slots I created a pet solely based on Subetean lore collection.

gasp Are we actually taking inspiration from cultures around us and making us of them in a fictional world? How horrid.

If this happened on subeta first and people went on neopets everyone would be saying 'omg it's just like subeta!'. Asian inspired anything is not special to one pet site. It's not even unique to pet sites. There are video games and more all over with special magical asian lands shrouded in clouds that you discover.

I don't get it really. I understand why a lot of folks never got the connections of the plot, not everyone is into Chinese history. But man, we got a whole new world out of it at the end. We'll get new shops, new NPCs, probably a new holiday, maybe new quest, new everything. With the amount of people complaining about how bored they get on here sometimes you'd think this would be a positive.

We've only just got a name and a landscape so far. People are going hard already. 😕

I understand that some users might find the name Shengui Guo jarring, but I'm personally glad that staff went with actual Chinese versus something vaguely Asian sounding.

It's difficult to draw inspiration from other cultures because you always run the risk of disrespecting that culture. I think that using the actual language shows an understanding of the material that staff is drawing upon (or at least, a desire to understand), and so gives it the proper respect. Had they used a made up Chinese sounding language, I would've found it distasteful because as a Chinese person, it would sound like a mockery of the language I speak. Again, I can understand that it seems a bit jarring to some, but I think demonstrating respect for another culture takes precedence.

Tbh, I actually think that the way staff went about it was the perfect mix between real-world and the Subeta universe! Shengui Guo is not an actual place in the real world, so it is still unique to Subeta. On the other hand, using the actual, proper Chinese language shows respect to the culture that is being drawn upon.

A lot of online and videogame worlds have an East Asian themed area. It's so common, in fact, there's a trope for that. ^_^

Considering that our opponents this plot were a fireball ghost, a yin-yang fish duo, a dragon, and a ghost lady in a kimono, though, I'm not surprised about the Asian-inspired area. I mean, with the popularity of things like martial arts flicks, anime, and (slightly Westernized) Chinese food, it was probably only a matter of time. Personally, I'm excited for what the new land will have to offer. (And, really, can you blame the staff for wanting to toss in an "Asia Land?" I mean, Asian architecture is right up there with Gothic and Greco Roman for mystique and grandeur. What artist can resist?)

No option is going to make everyone 100% happy but no, I don't think it's a Shenkuu ripoff any more than I would any other Asian inspired land.

I actually thought more of Avatar first as opposed to Neopets, but I can see the comparison, lol. However, I DID get a little concerned because like some of the people had said, that Subeta is supposed to be drifting away from real world cultures. Sure, items are one thing, but locations? I guess I'm just a bit paranoid about cultural appropriation and worried this would offend people. I'm glad it hasn't, reading comments from users who actually do come from the culture the land is based off of. Thank you for your comment, . This really helped relax my worries and it shows that the staff have really done their research. And I do agree, it IS hard to create a fantasy counterpart culture based off of one that exists on Earth for these reasons.

I did think of Shenkuu when I first saw the world but only because of the similar influences. It doesn't really feel like a ripoff to me at all. Actually, my next thought was to wonder what they're going to do with this new world that will be different from Shenkuu (as opposed to thinking "ugh this is going to be exactly like it.") In any case, it looks gorgeous and I can't wait to learn more about it! In the meantime, I'm trying to not draw too many comparisons since we can't even do anything on the island yet and know next to nothing about it so far.

Also, I know this was waaaaay back at the beginning of page 2, but the "ancient dialects" that the name Centropolis come from are probably Latin and Greek. "Polis" is a Greek city state and "centro" is likely the Latin word for "center". It's been 4 years since I took Latin so I've forgotten a good share of what I learned, but if centro means center in Spanish then I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same in Latin.

@ MarissaUnderground You're welcome! I was actually very pleasantly surprised to see that staff took so much care in naming the land! It gives me a lot of faith in whatever they have planned for Shengui Guo in the future. :)

EDIT: grammar fixes!

-parade as a spanish speaking person: yes, "Centro" means "Center" in spanish. Which isn't awfully strange, since the whole thing about latin languages is that they all have their origin on Ancient Latin.

not gonna keep saying what everyone else said about taking inspiration from the Far East and how it's not a neopets thing. But I did find it hard not to comment on that whole:

If you check out the theories thread (If it still exists) people had been theorizing about an Asian inspired land since the Faded Memories subforum opened. There where clues pointing to that already, and the event added more, the more obvious ones being the las challengers. So... yeah. The plot had elements hinting at the theme of the new land, and even hints at a new land.

Doesn't look like Shenkuu at all. The only thing in common is the culture being drawn upon for inspiration.

I really don't see why people are 'concerned' that they used a name from a real-world language. Making it sound as if this is something negative. Just nitpicking over something that really doesn't matter.

My first thought when reading the topics' title: Wth is a Shenkuu? XD

From the news post. The name given to this new place is, in fact, Chinese. This is obviously not a re-wording of Shenkuu from Neopets. Asian influence is huge and there's going to be a lot of similar looks between sites. I mean, there's only so much difference one can make before it winds up looking similar. Chinese culture is Chinese culture. What makes it different is the story that's behind the land!!! I'm really looking forward to the stories and new culture that's going to be given to this gorgeous new place! :D I'm hoping that the Paralix will be given a bit more history, now, seeing as it's more than likely from there :D

Spiritual influence is huge in Asian culture. It was a very good hint indicator rather than it just being "all of a sudden."

Otaku also brings a great point up. The challengers were also very Asian in their makeup. More lovely hints :)

I also don't understand why people feel like it doesn't tie in with Subetan lore. If you didn't read the storyline to the plot...I mean, spirits getting angry in the graveyards, bothering the Pirates, Pirates and Jaxon remembering to leave food and gifts out for them, them getting angry when Jaxon disappeared last year during Morostide...the whole thing ties in beautifully and seamlessly. The neatest thing is that the Pirates couldn't find this spirit land because it was on the back of a gigantic turtle. I mean, how neat is that? The turtle is a part of the Subetan seas, the spirits a part of the departed people who live on this new land along with the other departed from the other regions of Subeta...It just is so beautifully woven in that I can't say anything but thank you to the writers!

Who knows? This might even wind up becoming an Asian Fusion land where it combines Chinese and Japanese cultures? All we can do is wait and see! :D

To build upon what said on the first page - I'm sorry, but China got to this land first. No copying allowed. Thank you.

Please tell me, just because there are English equivalents for the land names here, how much different the true names are for these above lands over Shengui Guo? Not much x_x The English translation for the new land doesn't fit nor work for the map and is why staff more than likely settled on keeping it Chinese. If players are so gung-ho about having names for lands in a made up language, then the whole SITE should create a new language for every single player to learn so that we can all converse in the site-specific made up language so that there's no offense brought upon anyone because we're speaking English.

Finally, here's a link on how much the spirits are entwined within the Chinese culture: click. If that doesn't help to clarify things, nothing will

I find it weird how people are so hung up on the name? I mean Subeta is literally based on real world references, from the custom items and non-custom on site items (Cydewinder, the fat cats, the long cats [am I allowed to mention this?], the clothes [so many clothes], weapons..) and not only the drawing styles but the item names as well... You don't see anyone complaining when tribute items are made such as a paper crane referencing a tragic tsunami event in the east or a genie for a genie man. Even the name of this site is a bloody real world language reference. HELLO! Why should they deviate so from their origins? I would find it more out of place and thoughtless if they had just picked some random name that meant nothing and didn't match the theme. Maybe I'm just too anal about things but I personally like things to go along with each other. I don't want Asian themes, kimono fox spirits, and some ancient aztec city name.

That being said, the creative world of each individual tends to be so unique to that person that separating releases from all real world references would be difficult and would have way too much clashing and much harder for staff to come together on a theme. If you ever participate in a CW contest or watch a food cooking contest, even with a given theme there is much dissonance between the end results of each. As social animals, we can't help but base our personalities and behaviors from our experiences and the people around us. It helps us connect. And the fact that Subeta incorporates things we'd encounter out in the real world is what personally makes me connect more to the site.

I'm also glad we got something different. Why would you want more of the same lands and quests and items we have when we can expand and grow!?! There's a time and place for homeostasis, step out of your comfort and familiarity zones.

I did not find it out of place in the plot at all either. If the wording of everything in the plot wasn't enough, that spirit/cloud/wave/thing on the map was an immediate telltale sign for me. It's like reading a book. Some people like everything spelled out to them while others enjoy the attention to detail. I personally am very glad they didn't just start the plot with a "New Land? What could this be?" title. It would have ruined the excitement. AND they combined past plots. I missed the pirate plots, I'm glad they brought pirates back C:. Pirates are always cool.

Excuse me? So because a certain culture has a history of having highly obsessive on the point of mental imbalance fans anyone else that enjoys and studies the culture, say, for the biomedical engineering job prospects they have, are suddenly on the same level? I feel personally insulted, I hope that was meant sarcastically. And to suggest changing the landscape so is like suggesting the referred culture is worth nothing. Not cool.

Maybe they were referring to the pesticide lol??

Exactly what I wanted to say. I personally like how sensitive to users staff tend to be. If staff ever wanted to do a South American theme I would want them to show what beautiful things my culture has, I would want them to show the beautiful places like MT Roraima, Serra do Cipo, Iguacu, and in terms of architecture... I mean, have you seen our highly corrupt and unjust president's residence? That thing is fit for an Arabian Prince. And if you google Brazil Brasilia architecture... I would want people to not only experience those things in a plot but have references to the real world sites to broaden their horizons not just in a virtual game. I wouldn't want bits and pieces of my culture ripped from their origins and then not even get a passing nod of recognition :/.

Edit:

I agree with this, isn't there a perfectly open plot of land on the other half of the sacred lands? the island should of split in two so that land got some use.

I agree with this, isn't there a perfectly open plot of land on the other half of the sacred lands? the island should of split in two so that land got some use.

Maybe it might've worked better in the alcove between Darkside and Shadowglen so that it wouldn't look so cramped? But other than that...it's a city on the back of a turtle XD I'm sure that the turtle is bound to move at some point LOL! Besides...sea turtles (keeping in accordance to the massive turtle legend that you can find on the internet) need to live in water, not land XD

I think the problem (at least this is mine) is in the past there has been talk about wanting to get away from "real world" things and this did the complete opposite of that. Drawing on an already existing RL culture, holiday, and language.

I don't find it offensive, I find what is being done is inconsistent with what has been said in the past.

Or, in this case, what is being said now, is inconsistent with what was said in the past.

I have absolutely no problem with them drawing from real world now, in the past, and in the present if they're sure that's what they're doing and they stick with it.

Just pick one idea, and go with that. It's like saying you're a vegan today and then eating a steak tomorrow. Just figure it out already.

Do you want broken wardrobe , half-finished wardrobe or make a new glitchy are-you-kidding-me wardrobe ? NO! PICK ONE THING!(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻)

Also, I find the map a good thing. All that extra land and a lopsided map just equals more motivation to fill it with more things in the future, yes? Or if it is a giant floating turtle, give it a while and it'll be on the other side, or at the top, or where ever it chooses to float.

I agree with this, isn't there a perfectly open plot of land on the other half of the sacred lands? the island should of split in two so that land got some use.

Yeah. I don't get why it was placed there and not somewhere more inconspicuous.

I think a Far Eastern country will be good for the site. As the lore is getting filled in, it would be awkward to have pet species without a fitting home. Loads of old items can be given a better-fitting home, too, and it paves the way for new items with modern art.

Did not notice the turtle before.

Turtle becoming an island is a legend of how Mackinac Island came into existance (probably many other islands) I like this.