Since the story is based upon real life with low fantasy, a lot of references to person, places, and events can find its real life counterpart.
The following example is based upon opinion, its Shout-Out reference may vary depending on different audiences.
Antar
- The League of Antar is the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth mixed with Tsarist Russia, a lumbering titan with vast amounts of resources from farmland to men, famed heavy cavalry, and a dysfunctional mess of an oligarchic council for a government. Tierra has to stay one step ahead of and fight cleverly or get crushed by sheer weight of numbers.
- Many Antari Nobles have "-birit" at the end of their family. Namely, Prince Mikhail Khorobirit. Which reflects the Russian names ending with "-ov" such as Zhukov, Romanov, and Kutuzov. On top of that, Kutuzov share the same first name with Prince Khorobirit.
- If the player character learns Antari during the game, it is noted that the Antari alphabet is different from the Tierran one. Slavic languages have an alphabet which differs from the English one, which are originated from Cyrphillc and Late Latin Alphabetum respectively.
- Strellyk, the partisan leader's name, is "marksman" in Antari. "Strelitz" is the phonetic translation of the Russian word "shooting guard", the name of the royal guard of Russia during Peter the Great's early reign.
- In the late part of Guns of Infinity, the Dragoon Officer will notice that the Antari had line infantry just like the Tierran Army, reflecting Peter the Great's adaptation of his enemies' tactics and army structure during the war with Swedish King, Charles XII. Unlike in real life, it is too late to win the war.
- Oberlinder horsemen are the Cossacks, who were skilled in horse riding and swift raid.
Tierran
- The Unified Kingdom of Tierra is inspired by the cultures of the Old World, with the country being influenced by Hapsburg Spain and Regency England, with the different regions being inspired by other cultures (Aetoria being Castillan Spain, Wulfram Germany, Cunaris Normand France, Kentaur Scotland and Warburton being inspired by the Angevin culture). Their military more fits the United Kingdom's model (a small, elite force that's on the verge of becoming very innovative, very fast), but culturally they have a lot in common with Spain as well.
- Tierra's strong navy can easily related to both England and Spain, which were well-known for their naval superiority from 16th to 18th century.
- Not to mention that majority of Tierra land are unfit for farming, much like England and Spain's.
- One more subtle reference to the United Kingdom is their army's headquarters: Grenadier Square, which is both the Army headquarters and the barracks of the Grenadier Guards. During the Napoleonic Era, the headquarters of the British Army was at Horse Guards
, which was also the barracks for the Household Cavalry.
- The Kentauri Highlanders's real life equivalent are related to Scottish culture. For examples, They are the early race that settles in their land(Scots are originated from Celtic people, while England are from Angleo-Saxon). Secondly, Bagpipe is found in the army, which is a trademark of Scottish culture.
- In Guns of Infinity, when besieging Kharangia, the player character can interact with Garing, an industrialist and scientist. He'll remark that he's trying to improve the rifles used by the Tierran Armed Forces, but can't seem to figure out a way to fire his new bullet design without it rupturing the barrel and breech-block. If the PC's Intellect stat is high enough, he can suggest using a closed locking-block and bolt for the rifle, allowing the soldier to reload his rifle from the breech-block rather than from the muzzle, and invest money into the research needed. Congratulations, the Dragoon Officer just become pivotal in the introduction of the Bolt-Action Rifle into the universe.
- Showing continual interest in new technologies and allowing Women to fight beside men will give you the achievement War Has Changed. If you're more conservative, the achievement is War Never Changes.
- On a minor note - as the Dragoon Officer leads the Forlorn Hope into Kharangia, he can ask the men for a song:
Kian
- For starter, Kian's full name is "Da'Kian Zi'enne Digueau", it is a modified name for "Da Kian Zi'enne Di Guo"(Great Kian Realm of Zi'enne), the name "Great Realm of X" is used in ancient China when people address to their country with pride.
- To be noted is that Kian was also inspired by France, notably on the matter of phonetics, hence the "Digueau" instead of "Di Guo". This is also visible in their name for the Takarans, the eru-venne (which is "elven" pronounced with Chinese and French phonetics).
- Kian's attitude towards the baneless is due to the fact that most ancient Chinese aristocracy is not hereditary, but based on the talent and knowledge of a person. Their hatred toward Takara is reflecting the xenophobic nature of the agricultural state. Specifically, the era from 16th century to the eve of Opium War.
- There are a lot of Kian'zi drinks and games that have their real life equivalents. For example, Quie is Xiangqi also known as Chinese Chess.
Achievements
The achievement in this game is mostly shout-outs to both historical or pop-culture
- Revealing Lefebvre's misdeed will get you "Heaven knows, Earth knows, You know, I know." An Chinese idiom that describes a person who is incorruptible.
- Joining the main army during Kharangia will earn the achievement "Towering in Gallant Fame". Make sense when you realized whom Kentauri Highlanders are referring to.
- Getting too much replacements for your dragoon give you "Food for Powder". Getting none, on the other hand, will have "Chosen Men"
- Making vengeful speech in the field of Blogia has "Desperta Ferro!", a warcry by Almogavers during the era of Reconquista.
- Getting either Hartigan or Havenport killed will have "Colonels in Refrigerators". Referring to a old tropes. Yes, Cataphrak, we are sorry.
- Killed by an artillery piece will have "Cannon Ending". That is dark comedy.
- The achievement for completing a major project before you character is 35 years old is "CEO, ENTREPRENEUR, BORN IN 584". Genius, I bet you won't read this achievement name without singing.
