Original artwork, not a still
The Terran adjutant in StarCraft (1998)
Not enough minerals.
— StarCraft · 1998
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
The most-heard reprimand in real-time strategy, and the one that taught a generation that economy is the real game. It is flat, polite and a little smug, and it became the joke for any shortage of money, time or patience. Players answer it the only two ways there are: mine faster, or type a cheat code.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for StarCraftShow the scene
The Terran adjutant is the voice of the AI aboard your command centre in StarCraft, and this is what it says when you order something you cannot pay for. Minerals are one of the two main resources, along with vespene gas, so the line comes up constantly: queue an SCV, a marine or a new building with a thin bank and the adjutant states the shortfall and nothing is built. Adjutants are the terrans' non-sapient AI helpers, which is why the delivery is so flat.
Sources (2)
- StarCraft Wiki: MineralsOpening paragraphReference checked
- StarCraft Wiki: AdjutantOpening and overviewReference checked
Context reviewed
