Discovery: Izlude textures include real places
After looking through the GRF of items in earlier builds (2002-12-31gdata_all_2.gpf as an example) of the Ragnarok Online client, the textures contain real-life logos from wine bottles, restaurants and other locations. However, due to the low-resolution of some of these, there are some which are unidentified or possibly created in-house by Gravity.
In-game textures[edit | edit source]
Reference 1 - "La Louviere"[edit | edit source]
On the left face of the market stall in the center of Izlude is the texture "La Louviere", which is actually the label from a bottle of wine -- the 1997 La Louviere Pessac Leognan, which is produced as a red wine in The reference this has to Gravity is that is most likely was a favourite of one of the executives or developers. It was sold in a deluxe silk lined wooden presentation box with four wine accessories (corkscrew, wine pourer, drip stopper & wine thermometer). It was described as "[...] evolved, with low acidity, as well as intense black cherry and cassis fruit intertwined with smoky, toasty new oak scents. Fleshy and forward, with medium body and rich fruitiness". If you ever find yourself wanting to buy a bottle, it's around $90.
Reference 2 - "Farmacia Chimica V. Bestente "[edit | edit source]
The Italian Farmacia Chimica V. Bestente (english: Chemical Pharmacy V. Bestente), now called Farmacia Del Cambio (Change Pharmacy) was originally a pharmacy in Turin, Italy, which made all kinds of medical concotions and potions, and now is a restaurant. According to Google reviews, they make quite good croissants and do good food well worth trying. If you're in the area, cash in some Zeny and get some sweet treats!
Reference 3 - "Ditta Gianduja - Founded 1866"[edit | edit source]
The Ditta Gianduja is also a shop in Turin, Italy. Unlike the Farmacia Chimica, however, it is no longer open - it originally was a family run haberdashery business which closed its doors in 2015. They originally provided equipment and services for repair of garments. The Turin Museum retained images of what the shop looked like inside, which had remained relatively unchanged during its long run. The preservation piece is located here: https://archive.ph/wip/fc7Wb
Unknown references[edit | edit source]
"Noi Tre"[edit | edit source]
Noi Tre in Italian means "Us Three", also the name of a famous Italian film from 1984. The image is headed by the text "NOI TRE" and below it, what looks like an illustration of a group inside a chat bubble. It appears to be in the same industry as Ditta Gianduja, as it references "Casa, Colors, Ricamo" (House, Colours, Embroidery). The phone number, 857835 links to a business called Gioielleria Orologeria Marescotti Via Fascinata, 12, 44048 Santa Maria Codifiume FE, Italia in Bologna. Maybe in the past, Noi Tre was some business there before the Jewellery store opened?
"Stanton Ridge"/ "Staton Bridge" / "Stanton Bridge"[edit | edit source]
I can find a reference to the name Stanton Ridge, which is some country club in the US. The rest is a no go! what a bummer.