SOMA SOMETHING: Yuga Labs CEO Garga Apes Into Otherside Lore, Explaining The Relationship Between Soma Creation Energy And Chaos!

Yuga Labs CEO Garga brought the “Soma” juice to the Otherside Discord this week, diving deeper into the metaverse’s lore and the cosmic battle between the forces of Creation and Chaos.

With the story of Otherside set to unfold both i -game and on the timeline soon, Garga aped into the world’s lore, set the scene for what’s to come, and tied it into Yuga Labs’ Before Curtis Otherside trailer from September 2022.

 

“Blue enters the Koda temple and takes the last drops of Soma. And then all hell breaks loose,” Garga wrote before going on to explain the origins and significance of Soma and Chaos Energy in the Otherside."

“Soma Energy is the lifeblood of creation, the essential force that powers the universe and maintains balance. Soma represents the essence of life, creativity, and vitality,” he said. “For the Kodas, Soma Energy is not merely a resource; it is the foundation of their civilization and the key to their survival. Beyond its technological uses, Soma Energy can also be distilled into different liquid forms that the Kodas use for everything from business to pleasure. The most potent and popular of these forms is called Spark—a vibrant and energizing blue substance, akin to their version of Gummi Berry juice. Spark, and other Soma-derived liquids, are integral to Koda life, fueling both their innovations and their daily activities.”

While Soma is life and all that is good on the Otherside, Chaos represents destruction and ironically, the Kodas created it.

“Chaos Energy is a force of destruction, the dark counterpart to Soma Energy,” he said. “It embodies the unpredictability and disorder that threatens to unravel the universe. Unlike Soma, which nurtures life and creation, Chaos Energy disrupts and destabilizes, challenging the order that the Kodas strive to maintain. Born from the Kodas' own experiments and the imbalance they introduced, Chaos Energy represents the inevitable consequence of pushing the boundaries of creation. It is not merely a force of destruction but a fundamental element of the universe, a reminder that with great power comes the potential for both creation and ruin.”

 

Along with his explainer on Soma and Chaos, which gives everyone a deeper understanding of the Before Curtis trailer, Garga also revealed that Chaos Energy isn’t all bad and will have practical purposes in the metaverse.

“Despite its destructive nature, Chaos Energy can be harnessed by those daring enough to wield it,” he explained.  “Over time, some Kodas have learned to control this volatile force, creating powerful weapons that channel its raw power. Chaos Energy also has some more practical applications—such as in advanced waste disposal systems, where its disruptive properties are harnessed to break down matter efficiently. There are also whispers among the inhabitants of Otherside about the possibility of distilling Chaos Energy into a liquid form, much like how Soma Energy is transformed into Spark. However, this is a path few dare to explore, given the inherent dangers.”

 

Along with this deeper look at the lore, Garga also revealed that Otherside Creative Director Colin Hesterly has compiled a “lore Bible” for the metaverse, confirmed that Otherside will feature cutscenes, and teased that there’s a lot of story to unpack and will start dripping out later this year.

 

“I think one thing we def need to get better at is sharing lore and also more behind-the-scenes of all the INSANE amount of work that goes into every aspect of Otherside,” Garga said.

 

The Bored Ape Gazette will continue to follow the story of Otherside and will let you know when more lore is released. Stay tuned for updates!