Criticism and controversies

Space Quest (like many other Sierra series) contains material which some have found controversial (both from religious or political reasons), and it has had its own share of controversies over the years.

This page discusses a number of aspects of the series that people have found controversial as defined by reviewers and players over the years. Note: the 'controversies' are just opinions by different individuals, commentators and writers (some maybe fallacy-ridden interpretation or biased projection, and therefore the accuracy of opinions cannot be vouched for).

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the cited authors, writers, commentators and other individuals, and do not reflect the official policies or positions of this wiki.

Background

According to Scott Murphy has said in interviews that they never meant to cause 'controversy', that they never aimed to disrespectful to anyone at the time. They all thought their satire was of a positive nature. They were surprised by occasional whining/cease-and-desist from companies like Toys-R-Us as an example. In the end they felt they respectful to all the content they satired, including the potentially dangerous Lucas areas.

Scott Murphy also said in an interview he was surprised on Space Quest appealed to a wide age range, and how he found it tough to put stuff into the games that would entertain adults, without offending younger people or their parents.

Space Quest much like much of real comedy in general (South Park, Stand-UP Comedians, etc), is equal opportunity offender style of comedy, that pokes of fun of everything and everyone at times.

This wiki is not a politically correct soap box, see Canon. Do not try to 'censor' or clean up or explain things in politically correct terminology on the pages, stick to the ingame, guides, or novelizations (official guidebooks/companions) point of views. If this is a problem anyone, they might want to go elsewhere.

That being said Space Quest has garnered a number of controversies and criticisms over the years and has been accused of offensive content (by players, reviewers and even some of its own developers). This topic discusses a number of these issues in detail, and this is the only place for such discussion.

Violence & Gore

• This series is notoriously known for it’s often over the top violent, gory, and grisly death scenes. This has caused it to be questioned as family friendly long before the age of video game ratings. The Space Quest collections would later retroactively get a teen rating for animated violence/comic mischief. Strangely individualy Space 4/4 CD, and SQ6 received E for everyone ratings retroactively, but SQ5 got a teen rating.
• In Space Quest 1 VGA.... According to IMDB's parents guide: "Although Space Quest 1 is considered to be a comedy, this game is known for it's dark humor which may upset those sensitive to blood and violence... Many of the death scenes are very graphic and can be very disturbing to little kids and sensitive people. Roger Wilco can be seen getting killed in a number of ways including getting shot to death by laser guns, getting his head shot through, getting beat up by alien monsters, or eaten by alien predators, falling to his death, crashing his spaceship on a planet or crashing into an asteroid field, or crashing his hovercar on the rocks. His body can get imploded if he doesn't wear a space suit in the vacuum. He can die by crashing his flying saucer, Also he can get his body cut in pieces on the laser beams, he can get blown up, or die of thirst, he can get burned by acid, or getting blown up by a robot, or getting crushed by an anvil. Many of the death scenes are very graphic and gory showing Roger Wilco getting burned to death, or blood coming out of his body, or a punctured hole shot through his head bleeding. Or the skeleton remains of his body showing. If Roger Wilco dies from putting his hand in acid or goes through the laser barrier, Scott and Murphy will discuss the death Roger goes through by rewinding the scene and showing what not to do in the game. Roger Wilco can be seen killing the Aliens with his laser gun. If Roger Wlico forgets to set the time bomb on the Sarien ship, then they will destroy his planet Xenon with a giant laser blaster. " There are dead bodies on the spaceship as Roger Wilco is trying to excavate from the ship. Later on if Roger Wilco escapes in his Pod, a cutscene with the spaceship can be seen getting blown up."
• In Space Quest 3.... Many of the death scenes are graphic, gory and often show blood in the game. This game has dark humor depicting graphic death scenes. There are many ways Roger Wilco can die including getting his body cut open by metal, the rats beating up Roger, having his body go through the shredding machine, getting his head shot open by a robot or alien, falling to his death, getting eaten by a giant snake, getting struck by lightning, getting is body literally twisted by a terminator robot, getting eaten by a ceiling plant pod, getting attacked by a slime devil, getting stung by a scorpion, crashing his ship, getting his body sucked out by a space vacuum, getting burned up on a volcanic planet, getting blown up by a stick of dynamite, having the volcano erupt, getting shot by a Jello gun and getting stuck in a Jello cube, getting electrocuted by a force field, getting beat up by a giant robot, getting the spaceship shot at destroying it IMDB's parents guide states: "Many of the death scenes may be too disturbing for kids sensitive people due to the graphic blood and violence show in the game."
• In Space Quest IV.... Again this game is noteable for its many examples of violent deaths for the protaganist. Other violence and gore includes as IMDB parent's guide states: "In the opening of Space Quest 4 CD an alien gets killed by melting in his own barf outside the bar."
• In Space Quest V... According to IMDB's parent's guide: "There are people in the galaxy that can be seen getting their bodies deformed and mutated which may be very disturbing to kids."
• In Space Quest 6...

Female representation

• Sexism, Misogyny, Feminism, etc are issues brought up by some people.
• Characters such as Latex Babes, Zondra, Beatrice Wankmeister, Stellar Santiago, Wriggley, and overly sexualized robot like W-D40, three-titted aliens in the manuals, scantily clad Madonna in SQ1VGA, and jokes surrounding them have been considered sexist by some reviewers and writers.
• "...also the particularly alluring "latex Babes of Estros" in his travels. (The inclusion of latex babes unleashed a steady barrage of letters from Women's Organizations that continues to this day)."-Please Read First
• Even a contemporary review of the day in CGW complained that Latex Babes were arguably computer gaming most sexist creations.  http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_105.pdf
• Scott Murphy has apologized for his own inclusions, and allegedly blamed some of the 'sexist' stuff in the previous Space Quest games on Mark Crowe. "Latex Babes of Estros. Was never comfortable with that but I didn't kill it either. It was a play on Leather Goddesses of Phobos, a text adventure by Infocom back then. Oh, and the name Beatrice Wankmeister should never have shipped. I don't know what I was thinking!" "I get that & it's supposed to be fun. Many of us laughed some. I wanted girls/women to feel comfortable playing our games from the first day, though. That wasn't helpful at all. It had to bother some or all at least a little. I feel bad and I'm sorry about it.‪"‬ "One thing that will always amaze me is how, when you're really, REALLY frikkin' busy and still have work to do that you haven't even thought of, some sketchy things can seem like incredibly inspired ideas." Scott Murphy also allegedly inserted some sexist and vulgar materials into King's Quest 2 as well
• The Latex Babes are a parody of the Leather Goddesses of Phobos. Some find to be offensive, though it was neither intended to be sexist nor truly offensive. Still some people do find its appearance in Space Quest to be questionable and sexist. IMDB parent's guide claims: "At the planet Estro, after Roger jumps off the nest, he gets ambushed by woman guards in revealing swimsuits. Rogers future love interest a woman named Zondra is seen wearing a swimsuit that reveals the middle part of the chest in a v line. Also Roger is seen getting tortured with a razor blade by a sexy woman in a black swimsuit."
• In, SQ5, Cliffy installs freeze cannons inside of W-D40's breasts, she squirits freezing rays ouf of cones to stop Pukeoids.
• Roger Wilco is portrayed as a two-timer to his girlfriend. He apparently is also a fetishist. "Closet mannequin whiffer, eh?"
• In the Companion and Guidebook he objectifies a number of women, including Gladys, and the actress Cornucopia Agricorp (which he may have made out with in a closet at during pre-school, if not an euphamism for masterbating/making out with a photo or holo of her over a 15 minute period).
• Even characters such as Flo, or the villain Sharpei might be seen as sexist stereotype/archetypes (both being cougars looking for their next husband).
• Snarkgurgle Snuffleslurple is an intentionally sexist caricature, and treats Roger when he cross-dresses badly. To the point Roger calls him out as a 'sexist pig' (in the literal sense of the term).
• http://gamingafter40.blogspot.com/2012/06/adventure-of-week-space-quest-iv-roger.html?m=1
• Perhaps the Dacron Danny joke was removed for being possibly offensive or sexist. References to the game does appear in some of the official guides (such as the Space Quest Companion). The game box can be added in with a fan patch.
• In the letters to the editor in Space Piston Game Magazine manual is a letter from one Stephen Broadfox, the letter and the editor's response mocks someone offended by sexual exploitation of female figure. The 'offended' individual threatens the editor, and asks for his name to be removed from the mailing list. He argues that a centerfold in the magazine could only be for sensationalism and sexual exploitation, and then he refers to the centerfold girl as a 'cheap bimbo'. The editor responds that the female is actually the editor herself (she refers to him as a chucklehead, and denies being a bimbo). She then refers to him as a obnoxious, hotheaded, ignorant ex-subscriber.
• John Wiliams states in Please Read First: "We did find one old letter from a customer complaining about the use of a jockstrap as an inventory item, so Space Quest VI designer Josh Mandel has wisely chosen to make jockstraps a major part of his upcoming game. (Please keep those cards and letters coming)!" Mark further explained in an interview he got one letter from a feminist who was upset about the jock-strap ('athletic supporter') in Space Quest II. She called it a 'male-oriented game that had no females in it. Supposedly her thirteen-year old son was offended by the fact that there was a jockstrap in it. A comment by the developers in SQ6 seemingly referencing this controversy, asks for people to be honest about how many the jockstrap shape of the DeepShip 86 offended. "Okay, show of hands. Now, how many of you were offended by the shape of the DeepShip 86?" SQ5 also has its own underwear joke, where Bea eats her own underwear while under cryosleep... Take it as some kind of sexist or anti-feminist zinger, it might offend some people. Scott at the time said he wished he had sent her a copy of Leisure Suit Larry, but thought that would be wrong.
• In the SQ2 Hintbook, Roberta Wiliams jokes, tells the player to 'stop' and that she is blushing when asked about the athletic supporter, and saying that what the player does with it is a 'personal decision'. Then admits she is joking.
• Perhaps the latex babes were also inserted as a mocking towards 'dominant-feminist' types, because the feminist complained that not enough females were in the games. So the Two Guys inserted half a dozen of them into SQ4.
• "Let me go b. . . witch!"
• There is a prostitute ('professional ladies') in SQ6. The game says Roger would never have enough buckazoids to hire her.
• There is an ugly woman alien in the Orion Bar in SQ6, there is a joke that she'll look better come closing time.
• There are pornographic images of nude aliens in an apartment in SQ6. There is a blow-up sex doll in the same apartment.
  • That's Cindy Crawfish, a beautiful merwoman and spokesmodel from one of those beach-strewn wimpy watery planets like Aquaria or Oceana or Wateria. It's Kathy Mireland, an attractive model with gills from one of those stinky swamp-like planets like Mudoria or Slimeon or Mucksilon IV. It's that popular pin-up alien, Krille MacPherson, the one that poses all over Time Pods in Space Piston Magazine. Just watch that MacPherson strut!

• Wriggley's comments are filled with a number of sexual innuendo.

LGBTQ Representation

• The series has been accused of cross-dressing/drag/transgender/transexual/transvesite/gender identity jokes.
  • Roger Wilco cross-dresses/dresses in drag in SQ4, though he is a heterosexual male, and does not identify as transgender/transsexual, at the time drag would have been called 'transvestite', but 'cross-dressing' is more PC (Cross-dresser: An individual who dresses in clothing that is culturally associated with members of the “other” sex. Most cross-dressers are heterosexual and conduct their cross-dressing on a part-time basis. Cross-dressers cross-dress for a variety of reasons, including pleasure, a relief from stress and a desire to express “opposite” sex feelings to the larger society. Cross-dressing might also be termed gender non-conforming behavior. ): "You quickly change your clothes while thinking to yourself that, even dressed in drag, you still have that animal magnetism... or is that just failed deodorant?" "You're becoming a whiz at putting on women's clothing. In a flash you emerge looking swank as ever. For a split second you believe that you might be enjoying this just a little too much." "Quickly changing your clothes you emerge in your space guy regalia." "Having already purchased the lovely dress, you decide to stick with men's clothes from now on... even though it was quite enjoyable... almost too enjoyable.", "Although it seems darn tempting, you realize that duty calls and this will have to wait. Maybe after the game is over and all these players have gone to bed, you could cruise back by.", "While enjoying this banquet o' fashion you wonder what you might look like in one of these cute little frocks." He also thinks of himself as 'gentleman', and that he's a studly man's man, a fella who shouldn't be thinking any of those thoughts, and believes women can't resist his 'charm', and that he is a babe magnet (the latter personal opinions by Roger, can also be considered sexism, but here contrasts his views of cross-dressing/drag).
  • This would fall under Crossdresser and/or the Disguised in Drag tropes. Some interpretations of the character in Guidebooks might take on the AttractiveBentGender trope.
  • Maebot calls Roger Wilco a 'sicko' for cross-dressing, and also 'weird'. She also tells Roger his explanation is a 'likely story' but that she can keep his secret. Roger also seems to share a similar view, and ickiness for wearing the clothes even if tries to deny the fact he found some enjoyment from it: "While enjoying this banquet o' fashion you wonder what you might look like in one of these cute little frocks. Hey! What kind of thing is that for a studly guy like you to be thinking? Get ahold of yourself, fella!" In fact 'sicko/weirdo' are semantically connected words, with similar meaning to 'pervert'. She maybe commentiong on how Roger who is sexually/pleasured/enjoyment aroused by wearing women's clothing (a festish) is a pervert in her eyes. The finding 'enjoyment' from it puts it in the potential realm of "transvestic fetishm" which is a psychological/sexual disorder (which actualy is a form of clinical sexual deviancy: deviancy is also which term 'sicko/weirdo/perversion are semantically tied terms).
  • Even the hintbook seems to suggest wearing the dress as self-identifying man is somehow an oddity: Where can I change out this ... uh .. disguise?- Aw, don't go changin'.. you look so cute! - Oh, all right. You left you generic Space Hero suit in the dressing room at the Women's Clothing Store -- maybe you should go back there and change, huh?
  • Likewise the Space Quest Companion, Roger seems to rather enjoy choosing and wearing his cross-dressing ensemble (on how good it looks to him, he still identifies as a man, but what he calls making him a 'new man'), and also seems to gain much pleasure from it. However, in contrast, to how she treats him in the game, he is also asked out for a date by Maebot (which possibly indicates Maebot is a lesbian android, or at least into cross-dressers/men in drag), and the ATM Machine (who thinks Roger is a woman) also asks him out on a date. Roger mentions not being into robots. This doesn't mean he is trans (transgendered, or homosexual), but possibly would enjoy being a 'cross-dresser/transvestite' (heterosexual). It also describes him as dressing in drag (but still identified as male): "She will sell him a black dress and a wig, which Roger will put on in the dressing room. When he emerges, Roger will be in drag. Pay the clerk and leave the store."
  • In the Official to Roger Wilco's Space Adventures the scene goes down as such: "Uh, yeah, I'm looking for something to wear...I mean something to buy for my lady friend to wear.... she's kind of a big girl. I'd say I'm closer to her size.... Oh, that looks perfect! A black mini--those little black dresses are really the thing now, aren't they?... Oh, hee, hee, I'd be much to embarrased to try it on in place of her. Oh, well--if you insist--I guess I could.... Oh perfect! I'll...she'll love the wig, too. Thank's ma'am. I'll be out in just a minute. Now don't peek!", "Hey, I make a pretty good-looking woman, if I say so myself. Just don't get too used to this, Wilco. Truth be known, I'm a sorry sight for sore eyes. If anyone on Xenon ever found out about this--I'd be ruined forever. Especially Gladys--she'd never go out with me. But hey, what am I worried about? This is the future. I'd have to go back to the present day with this dress for anyone to see me...", "Uh, excuse me. I thought I would...uh..wear this out in the mall--after I buy it, of course--because...uh...I want to ...uh...go play a joke on somebody! Yeah, that's it--I'm going to play a joke on one of my friends. He's had it coming for a long time...", "Gee whiz, how embarrasing can you get? I'll bet my face turned a thousand shades of red, even if she's just a robot. And what was that "knowing" little wink supposed to mean? Oh, what the heck. What difference does it make now?", "My friend is going to heehaw when he figures out who I am, ha ha...", "....No, thank you! It's always a pleasure shopping at Sack's... uh... I mean my girlfriend, Zondra...er...Gladys...this is her favorite store. Thanks agian.", "There she goes with that "knowing" wink agian--like we have some little secret together. Who cares what she thinks. I"m more of a lady than she'll ever be!", "Boy, I thougth I'd never make it to this teller in these heels and this dress and...hee hee hee...I can't stop giggling. With the way I have to walk in these getup and...hee hee hee...that way I keep snickering, no one will ever suspect there's a real man under this wig.", "Now if I can just get back to Sack's without busting my as...er...without breaking my back. And, if If I can get back before one of these slimeball aliens--with their fat, fleshy tongues hanging out of their mouths--makes a pass at me... I mean, I know I'm a nice-looking woman--heck, I'd make nice-looking anything--but these creeps don't have to act like they've never seen a skirt and two legs before. "Whew! I made it. "Hi there. Just me again.... Yes, my friend was very amused believe it?...ha hah....But boy was he embarassed when he found out it was me! Yeah, that was the greatest, but I'm ready to get back into my own clothes now. I'll just, uh, give this outfit to my sweetheart some other time. Well, thanks again. You have a very sacks-y store here, ha ha. Bye now." Boy am I glad that's over. It feels great to be back in man's clothes. Whew, I hope I never have to do that again. That was enough to give a guy an identity crisis for sure."
  • An Interview with Roger and the The Original Roger Wilco: The Man Behind the Mop interview in the Official Guide has this discussion: "Roger: I have no knowledge of that. In fact, I think those Two Guys from Andromeda made up the whole thing. For darn sure, no bunch of girls captured me. What do I look like, a sissy? Authors: That's debatable. After all, you did wear that little black number and the blonde wig ... Roger: I don't recall that. I have no knowledge of that. I would NEVER wear a dress. Do you hear me? NEVER! That's just another pack of lies fabricated by you-know-who to sell their lousy games. I think they've stretched the license bit just a little too far ...."
  • The Playbyte Interviews Roger Wilco also makes fun of the cross-dressing event: "My most terrifying moment was in Space Quest IV. It's a little embarrassing to admit but I'd have to say the most frightened I've ever been was when I bought that cute little black number at the Galaxy Galleria and that great blonde wig. There I was strutting my stuff when all of a sudden I was overwhelmed...No, I was overwhelmed by the feeling that maybe I had tucked the back of my skirt into my pantyhose and I was walking around like that in pulbic and no one had the decency to tell me. Sleet, you're a woman. Don't you know that feeling?"
  • Space Quest II also makes fun of cross dressing by suggesting Graham is a cross-dresser.
  • Roger Wilco (and Graham) would go onto cross-dress again in Hoyle 4 transforming into an Old Maid.
  • In SQ6, Roger mentions that he used to wear his mom's unmentionables as well, potentially to a extended history of cross-dressing: "Geez, this is snug. Real snug. Hmmm. You know, it actually this makes me feels kind of good. I remember when I used to wear my mom's ... er, well, never mind. This is no time for nostalgia. I've got a serious extraction problem to work out first."
  • Nigel Rancid goes into a sexualized cross-dancing Burleque striptease and dance after being given the Burlesque Moddie. This contrasted against his normally heterosexual sexist, hyper-masculine, and violent bounty hunter persona.
  • On the mutating Quirk the companion states; "The remains of his uniform made a mockery of cross-dressing.
  • The Monolith clerk (Brfngnlx YkzyxzK) is offended that you misgender him (he is listed as "Mr. Employee of the Week"). And it mentions 'any idiot should be able to tell the difference." This character is ironically portrayed as different genders in different sources (always from Roger's own perspective). This doesn't necessarily mean the character is representation of a trans character, but it does show a problem with 'assuming others genders' (possibly based on appearance or clothing choices)...
  • An alien is 'misgendered/bigendered' in SQ4: "This guy (gal?) doesn't look like anybody or anything you've ever seen before. It has very unique head construction (if that's what it's called)."
  • Some have interpreted these jokes (in particular the SQ4 joke) to be representations of transphobia and homophobia. The cross-dressing jokes in Space Quest 4 have been found offensive ('transphobic') to some players who think it an attack on transgenders. Some believe it is inappropriate and offensive (homophobic) to gay individuals as well. One critic commented on this style of joke as it appeared in Space Quest and Monkey Island games: "The SQ4 one would have been fine if it hadn't been for the "sicko" line. I think it's pretty equal to this one, actually. It's not going out of its way to be offensive, it's even quite innocently misguided, but it's still saying it's okay to ridicule. Which it's not." Another person commented: "While the joke is outdated in today's world, when I was a kid, I thought the "sicko" comment was the robot's mis-assumption that Roger was some sort of pervert more than anything else." In fact if the joke is making fun of clinical 'transvestic festishism' a sexual/mental health disorder, making fun of a mental health issue might actually more offensive to some, more so than assuming its 'trans' insult. Also calling someone who identifies as cross-dresser/transvetite (cis heterosexual) might not technically be considered transphobic as they are not actually 'trans'. As pointed out Roger Wilco is neither 'homosexual' nor 'trans', he is in disguise, but the game and Companion implies he gets erotic enjoyment out of women's clothing (potential evidence of a 'transvestic fetishist' joke).
  • Of course it is worth pointing out that not all cross-dressers are trans, nor necessarily homosexual, and most 'trans' are not cross-dressers, though some some trans may be cross-dressers. Many cross-dressers are heterosexual men. The term cross-dressing itself may be seen as offensive or derogatory to some individuals as well (especially if misapplied to 'transgendered women' as many identify as actual 'women', and do consider crossing genders or 'gender non-binary', who do not attach clothing types to 'gender'). While many heterosexual men prefer the term 'cross-dresser' to 'transvestite' (some cross-dressers may personally identify as 'transvestites'). After 1970s revolution, a large group was left without a word to describe themselves: heterosexual males who wear traditionally feminine clothing. This group was not particularly happy with the term "transvestism", and therefore took on the term "cross-dresser". Cross-dressers are men who wear female clothing and often both admire and imitate women, but self-identify as different from both gay men and transsexuals, and generally deny having fetishistic intentions. When cross-dressing occurs for erotic purposes over a period of at least six months and also causes significant distress or impairment, the behavior is considered a mental disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and the psychiatric diagnosis "transvestic fetishism" is applied. In constrast those who wear 'drag' might be gay (usually called drag queens), or heterosexual (may self identify as cross-dressers or transvestites).. In some cases, transgendered may be offended by 'cross-dressers' (heteroexual drag wearers), for some the idea of cross-dressing is transphobic (though most would probably disagree with this position), or individuals themselves maybe transphobic (using transphobic slurs to trans individuals, or not understand the feelings of actual transgendered individuals), and trans folks may also view cross-dressers as perverts (as mentioned above, 'sicko' and 'weirdo' are in fact semantically related to 'pervert'). Some women (including some feminists) are offended at cross-dressing and see it as degrading to women, and may also see a cis male cross dressing as perverted as well.. Though certainly not all cross-dressers are 'perverted', 'transvestic fetishism' is classified as a clinical deviancy/perversion (very few cross-dressers are diagnosed with that disorder). In this situation it might be more problematic that the joke may be making fun of people with actual mental illnesses.
  • Ironically one contemporary CGW article was more concerned with the sexist characters than it was with the cross-dressing which it compared to a reference to Benny Hil comedy skitsl. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_105.pdf
• In SQ1AGI the player will gain points for attempting to kissing a Sarien of the same sex as Roger Wilco (it is strongly suggested this would start Sarien mating ritual/sex). "As you pucker up your lips and lean close, you suddenly remember what your mother taught you about Sariens. In a rare moment of wisdom, you decide not to get anything started you're unwilling to finish."
• Some players are offended by the portrayal of Thoreen, seeing her as a stereotypical "butch"/"dyke" 'coded-Lesbian". The Space Quest Companion appears to double down on the man-hating feminist trope: "I don't think you've been introduced to Thoreen; she's a former preschool teacher, dental assistant, and now in semi-retirement as the official torturer to the State of Estros. It's not that she doesn't like men, its just that she likes them better screaming. So I brought her an expert-you. Treasure your moments together, they will never come again." The book also portrays her as being willing to switch teams after Roger saves the Latex Babes, and mentions she nibbles on Roger's ear, as they decide to travel to the mall together.
• The Space Quest Companion includes an LGBTQ joke: "It had power, yes, but I couldn't plug it into any terminals without some sort of a male-female, male-male, female-female, male-female-ToBeDecided, or other gender connection piece of hardware."
• SQ6 has at a gay joke about desperation for just about any physical contact if you attempt to touch a alien man warming his hands around a fire: "Sure, you've been in space a long, long time, but it might pay to be just a little more discriminating."
• SQ4 has an auto-fellatio joke: "I'll bet you wish you could!" (some might also find this reference vulgar, see below)
• The term 'sissy' appears throughout the game series this is a term that can mean effeminate or cowardly under different contexts. But may be considered offensive in general.
  • In the Guidebook, Roger asks if he looks like a sissy, and the editors point out he was said to have worn a dress. This appears to be potential accusation that he is effeminate or gay.
  • Roger thinks WD40 thinks he is a weeny. She thinks he is a sissy pants, just like the girls on Estros did until he threw some air into the sea slug. Roger thinks that no girloid, womanoid, or whateveroid is going to make him look like a mamby-pamby mama's boy who can't help himself. Whateveroid could be a reference to 'intersex' (hermaphrodite) or trans, which could be seen as offensive.
  • In SQ2 Vohaul calls the scientists of Xenon 'sissy pants'. It was to be my ultimate war weapon until some sissy pants scientists decided it would be better used saving lives rather than destroying them. What a waste of technology! Excuse me if I sound bitter.\
  • In SQ6 Roger referred to some drinks as 'sissy drinks', implying they are for effeminate individuals. "Make me a double Uvula Spritzer, twist of fleck rind. And I want it hacked and whipped. Not like one of those shaken or stirred sissy drinks."
  • A similar term would be 'girly-man'. In Guidebook, in the Roger Wilco the Captain: A Man Evolved (Ad Nauseum), roger is asked about his voice going up an octive, when he is accused cheating. To which he replies: "Wait a minute! My voice isn't high-pitched. I'm a starship captain, not some squelling girly-man."
  • An ad for SQ3, states: The Guys don't write games for sissies.
• Queen of the Fallen Angels: "whipped the jeweled mitre from her head, tearing away false locks as she did so. What I had felt wrong with the viewscreen's image was now in the open. The bloody Scourge of the Spaceways was no lady, to be sure; I now knew she was no woman either. And he was totally bald. My scream of recognition was cut short by his howling order, "Bring me the hair of Roger Wilco!"
• Vidoids from the Companion are bi-gendered (assuming only two genders), and potentially poking fun at intersex individuals. The left side of Vidoids bodies are male, the other female, so they are equally adept at modelling both men's and women's items with just a turn to the camera. Anatomically correct in all particulars, their assymetrical appearance is best appreciated on camera rather than in person. This could be a reference to Star Trek two-skinned alien races which included Bele and Lokai.
• StarCon has apparently banned LGBTQ: "There's nobody in the closet to talk to, now that StarCon has adopted the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
• The Space Quest Companion calls genders among other things "it" or "they": "A mind, probably housed in some strange creature or alien entity, must have been behind what was behind me. And, if this were so, I'd better be prepared for when I met him-or her-or it-or they-or whatever."
• The book also talks about a gender change or gender swap.... "The Slots-Of-Death machine was gone, as were any fems, but the bartender was the same, and sporting a recent gender change." Though this might be affects of time travel/parallel universe travel.

Minority Representation

• Racism, Anti-semitism cultural insensitivity, & xenophobia are issues some bring up with Sierra games in general.
• One reviewer criticized Space Quest 4 as; "A collection of sexism, corny jokes and racist cliches. A shame how Sierra got away with that in the 90s." The reviewer is not clear on what he/she finds offensive and racist.
• Some point out that there is a lack of diversity with the human characters. Roger Wilco is 'white' (blond haired, and blue eyes), his girlfriends are all white (human or otherwise), his son is white. Most of the villains are white too.
• Some of the jokes make fun of xenophobic humans, and some aliens are racist towards humans.
• The CD-Rom versions of Space Quest 4 and 6 have some rather stereotyped accents such as the Big and Tall Salesbot's fake french accent.
• In recent years, some of the jokes in SQ4 might be seen as anti-Semitic to some. TV tropes mentions: "You Have to Have Jews: Space Quest IV features a heavily Jewish-themed parody of Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego called "Where in the World is Hymie Lipschitz? (And Who Really Cares)," which makes reference to yarmulkes, "the girl Mom's picked out for him," and 3.5 circumcision." However, the joke was written by Josh Mandel, who is himself Jewish. It's self deprecation in the vein of Mel Brooks or Jerry Seinfield style humor. Josh Mandel comments that some of his inspiration comes from "A Treasury of Jewish Humor" by that well-known anti-Semite Isaac Asimov, in which he notes, one will find every single stereotype of Judaism presented for comedic effect. Issac Asimov was famous Russian-Jewish writer known for his science fiction novels such as the Foundation Trilogy, or the short story I, Robot. Josh also points out people have a right to be offended by his jokes, but they don't have the ability to judge what's in his heart. He also points out its important to understand the context and purpose of the jokes, where is it coming from. Is it coming from known anti-Semitic group whose purpose is to cruelly characterize, and demean jews in order seek their destruction. Or is it for purpose of poking fun at one's own culture and way of life. Josh points out back in when the games, he'd previously been accused of anti-Semitism before. But notes; "...we live in an age in which everyone chooses to find something to be outraged about." Jewish comedians and others like Mel Brooks, Jerry Seinfield, Bil. Maher, and John Cleese in recent years have pointed out that a lot of their humor (and in case of some of them movies) would never have been allowed to be made in today's climate, due to easily offended (and those who they try to protect because they felt offended, who may not feel they need protection).
• Scott Murphy has said the two Vohauls were intended to be brothers (Siamese twins even). The term Siamese Twins is actually considered offensive and racist now. The politically correct term, and correct medical term is "conjoined twins".
• There is a mine SQ5 conflates several Asian culture as Chinese. “I won't go down with out a fight, Quirk! I know Kung Fu, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Judo, and several other Chinese Words!” Taw Keon Do is Korean, Judo is Japanese, Karate was created in China under Japanese influence.

Disability representation

• Several of the villains in the series are portrayed as having disabilities, and terminal illnesses, and their attempts at trying to extend their lives.
• These villains are usually old and decrepit which might also be seen as 'ageist'...
• Vohaul is inspired by villains like Darth Vader who is terminally damaged, scarred, and on a respirator. In recent years in some places such as Britain the portrayal of villains with scars is considered not politically correct, and offensive to people with scars or other physical blemishes.
• The cross-dressing jokes might actually be jokes at expense of 'mental illness' (transvestic fetishism) rather than transphobic joke, as which might be representation of negative portrality of mental or physical disabilities.
• Spaz & spastic are highly offensive term in Britain, as they were used to denigrate people with cerebral paulsy (there is movement to remove these terms from usage in US as well, for similar reasons).
• Midget is another term people find offensive.
• The games uses offensive terms like idiot, moron, or imbecile to describe Roger or other characters.

Profanity and Vulgarity

Although the Space Quest games are typically devoid of obscenities, a few do slip in occasionally.

• The character naming system in SQ1 and SQ2 was apparently controversial. John Williams notes:"...obnoxious little feature of early Space Quest games that allowed the player to name his own hero (usually, we found from experience, with any number of rude, crude, and unprintable nicknames) was finally done away with."
• Space Quest 1 AGI understands a number of vulgar words, and will make a funny remark if you use them. The parser includes these words: asshole, cock sucker, cocksucker, dick head, fart, fuck, motherfucker, piss, shit, shit head, shithead. Holy shit is a code that lets Roger Wilco cheat at slot machine.
• Space Quest 2 includes these words in the parser: asshole, cock sucker, cocksucker, dick head, dickhead, fart, fuck, motherfucker, piss, shit, shit head, shithead. You can also use leak, pee, piss, urinate (used in the bathroom in the Asteroid of Doom). In addition you can find 'condom, rubber' in the text files too (perhaps related to some kind of Easter egg).
• Space Quest 3 includes these words in the parser: ass, asshole, cock, cocksucker, cunt, dick, fuck, fucker, motherfucker, prick, pussy, shit, shithead.
• In Space Quest II, using vulgar words as a verb on the dead apes when you first reach Labion, will give the comment "You're one twisted mofo. The only other person I know who would try that is Mark Crowe." Roberta seemingly makes a nod to this joke in the SQ2 Hintbook when she wrote "Yes, you do something with one of them. No funny stuff, though."
• "If the player types in the word cheat anytime. They will be taken to the ending and the ending will use the word "Bitchin" This is the first video game to use the word "Bitch" uncensored. It's unknown how it got past the PC censorship during the 1980s." ""Congratulations!!! You're the most bitchen adventure game player in the world! No, make that the entire Universe!! While all those other silly saps struggle and toil through puzzle after puzzle, you have found a way to cheat yourself to the end. Is America great, or what?!""
• Continued misuse of the vulgar words in SQ3 will cause the game progressively insult the player more, up until the point the the game curses itself: "Hey, trashmouth! Don't be saying that shit!"
• Space Quest 1 SCI uses 'shit' in a regular sentence: "It tastes like shit."
• In Space Quest 4: You can discover a hidden Easter Egg in the secret room underneath the sewer by walking southwest and using the buckazoid item. During the slideshow. Some profanity words is used including "Hell" and "Shit" is used in the game. Making this one of the first times the word "Shit" is said uncensored. The word "Crap" is used once in the game. This game was released 3 years before the ESRB rating came out in 1994.
• Wow! That's a signed poster of the lead singer for that Country/Western band, Hall 'n' Asz!
• SQ6: "Dammit Roger you're a janitor, not a responsible adult" & amp;mdash; When you click on the clothes in Roger's Quarters. This is obviously a nod to classic Star Trek lines uttered by Dr. McCoy, "Dammit Jim, I'm a Doctor, not an X
• In Space Quest 6, there is an instance where one of the thugs who kidnap you almost says the word "fuck". "Hey, what the phu...! I don't want to see you move another inch or I'm gonna slice ya' into nice little bite-sized pieces. Now can it!"

• A reference to bitch in SQ4: "Let me go b. . . witch!"
• Beatrice Wankmeister's name is a pun refering to masterbation. "Beating Wank". Flo thinks there might be more to the name. "Maybe so, but you gotta wonder about a girl with a name like Wankmeister."
• In SQ6 is a random masterbation joke, if you attempt to touch yourself: "Hey, cut it out--this is family game!"
• In SQ5, the Space Monkeys also lead to another masterbation joke: "Stop trying to touch your monkey!"
• Another masterbation joke can be found in SQ1SCI: "Hey! One shouldn't attempt to manipulate one's self in a family game."
• Yet another masterbation joke can be found in SQ4: "Hey! Keep your hands off yourself! This is a family game."
• SQ4 has an auto-fellatio joke: "I'll bet you wish you could! "
• "Sorry. The used Nancy Reagan autographed \"Just Say No\" condom had to be removed for the shipping version."
• Smegminium in SQ6 is a reference to smegma.
• Sector 69 is a reference to sexual position sixty-nine.
• Eroticon 6
• Analexians maybe a reference to anal.
• The Rigelleian Waterfowl tight sphinctoid might also be a reference to anal sex/bestiality.
• SEX U appears to be play on 'fuck you'.
• Kiz Urazgubi is a pun on "Kiss your ass goodbye".
• In SQ6, there is a cd-rom: "In Search of the Elusive Multiple Organism." This a reference to 'multiple orgasm'. "Since the dawn of time, men and women have searched for the multiple organism. Some say that it is just a myth. Others claim that it existed at one time, but that the effects of toxic waste, pollution, and electromagnetic forces throughout the universe have made the multiple organism extinct. This writer, for one, has searched all her adult life for the excitement of contact with one of these elusive creatures. The thought of seeing a multiple organism sends a thrill through me. I hope with my entire essence that multiple organisms do exist on some level, and that one day I may meet up with one of them, just to say "hi.""

• Another joke in SQ6: "We wanted to give you the bird, but the censors wouldn't let us."
• "You had tickets to see Quazar Live in Concrete with Beatrice. That was before you got busted back down to Janitor and assigned to this dad-blasted floating heckhole of a mother-talking spaceship. (*A note:

this game has scrupulously avoided any rough language that would result in having to be rated as an adults-only computer or video game by the Game Censorship Board of the U.S. Senate subcommittee.)"

• They don't seem to give an orat's vas. This appears to be a reference to 'vas deferens' a part of the male reproductive system.
• In Space Quest 4 Floppy is an easter egg where the game store clerk gives Roger the middle finger.

Politics

• "Sorry. The used Nancy Reagan autographed \"Just Say No\" condom had to be removed for the shipping version."
• In SQ6/SQ6 Demo is a reference to the US Subcommittee on censorship.
• The SQ6 box makes reference to George Bush. It mentions that primordial soup is a concoction heinous enough even to make George Bush hurl in his sushi.
• In SQ6, in reference to Estrosian Sea Slug it talks about the 'liberal media'.
• Please Read First] gives this comment by John Williams: The idea of fighting off mutant insurance providers didn't start with Hillary's recent push for healthcare reform - it actually debuted with this game released in the days of the Bonzo Presidency. The plot, the likes of which you only hear seriously considered these days by the defenders of Ross Perot...

Drugs & Alcohol

• Some parents find use of drugs & alcahol in games to be questionable. As pointed out on IMDB parent's guide; "The boss at Monolith Burgers can be seen smoking a cigar. Later on he throws a cigar butt at Roger Wilco which he picks up and keeps."
• There are bars in SQ1, SQ5, and SQ6.
• Kerona Ale appears in SQ1, and SQ4 manual.

Artistic Directions

• The Space Quest 1 Remake did not sell well, and like many of the other SCI remakes (KQ/PQ/LSL, etc), was compared with the controversial recoloring of old black and white movies. This likely ended any possiblity of a remake for SQ2 and SQ3 if any had been discussed.
• SQ1VGA is very controversial to Scott Murphy, and he is on record of saying he hates it with a passion. While Scott does appear in the game, it appears that Mark Crowe was mainly the one behind it according to the SQ1VGA hintbook, and the Space Quest Companion, and the Scott Murphy had little or no influence at all. Scott says that it was finished without both's involvement mostly though, but Mark wasn't bothered by it. But, this may explain why only Mark is referenced in the hintbook.
• Further more Scott Murphy has on record said the later three games are controversial to him, and he would have ended with Space Quest 4. He doesn't like the appearances of Roger Wilco in those games, or their characterizations, and feels like they are different characters altogether.

Lawsuits and copyright/trademark issues

• The Droids R Us sign from the original AGI version of Space Quest 1 was deemed a legal issue by Toys R Us. Later versions of the game had the name changed to Droids B Us due to liability issues of the name's similarities to the toy store chain Toys R Us. Ironically, Space Quest VGA has Droids B Us more resemble Toys R Us.
• ZZ Top threatened to sue over their likenesses and their music apearing in Space Quest 1 VGA. This can be restored by removing one file.
• After complaints from a certain widespread electronics chain, the name of the store "Radio Shock" in the Galaxy Galleria was changed to "Htz So Good" for the CD-ROM version.
• There is an unused easter egg in QFG4 Room Removed For Legal Reasons, it can be added in with a fan patch.
• Some people have theorized that ScumSoft was intended as a dig at Lucasarts, as a reference to their SCUMM engine. This was not the case, so it's really a non-controversy.

See also

• Controvesies in King's Quest
• Controversies in Police Quest
• Controversies in EcoQuest
• Controversies in Quest For Glory
• Controversies in Conquests series
• Controversies in Leisure Suit Larry
• Controversies in Laura Bow
• Controversies in Gabriel Knight series
• Controversies in Phantasmagoria series
• Controversies in Freddy Pharkas