Powering up comes from Subnautica, the underwater survival game developed by Unknown Worlds Entertainment and released in full in 2018 after early access. In the game, players rely on powered bases, tools and vehicles such as the Seamoth and Cyclops to explore an alien ocean planet, so system startup sounds are heard constantly during play. Clips of the game's interface sounds were later shared on soundboards and reused by editors outside the game, where the short charge up works as a universal cue for technology starting, loading or rebooting.