The sound comes from Star Trek: Bridge Commander, the Star Trek starship command game in which players fire disruptors and other ship weapons during space combat. Clips from the game circulated online as creators searched for authentic, weighty sci-fi weapon audio rather than a light pew pew effect, and this cannon blast became a handy standalone effect for fan edits. It remains useful because it is instantly recognisable as Star Trek-style ship firepower, while also working as a generic heavy energy weapon in original animations, game videos and parody battles.