| World of Warcraft is based on Azeroth, a | | | | Warcraft to punish those who threaten others, |
| setting in a fantasy universe with some | | | | but the hatred for the opposing faction is |
| distinct similarities to our world. Some of | | | | never sated, always mounting. |
| the coincidences are kitschy, funny even. | | | | |
| But at the heart of these japes lies | | | | World of Warcraft's races have a great deal |
| something a bit darker. Blizzard sets up a | | | | of similarities to those of our world, stereo |
| world where it is easy to hate the players on | | | | types included. The Dwarves, who speak with |
| the other side of the game. From that hate | | | | a Scottish/Irish accent, have a lot of |
| can spring the hate of people and races | | | | beginning quests concerning obtaining, |
| existing in our World. Blizzard was not | | | | delivering and making liquor, implying that |
| always kind to the people they represent with | | | | the fine folks from the Emerald Isles are |
| the races in their game. | | | | drunkards. The Trolls speak with a Jamaican |
| | | | accent, and the dance the males perform is |
| There are two sides a player must choose when | | | | Capoeira, a martial art devised by slaves in |
| beginning to play World of Warcraft. The | | | | the Caribbean islands and South America. |
| Horde is made up of Orc, Trolls, Tauren and | | | | Blizzard portrays the trolls aa island folk, |
| the Undead. The Alliance consists of Humans, | | | | like those of Jamaica, and they actively |
| Dwarves, Gnomes and Night Elves. From the | | | | practice various forms of voodoo, |
| very beginning, players are set opposed to | | | | witchdoctors being the most important |
| each other. The players of the alliance | | | | officials in their society. The peaceful |
| share a common language, as do the horde. | | | | Tauren, with their totemic and harmonic |
| Interaction between the two factions is | | | | lifestyle are representative of Native |
| limited to 'emotes' some visual, some purely | | | | Americans in their naming practices and garb. |
| textual motions or gestures the players can | | | | Aside from potentially insulting members of |
| make such as cowering, waving, and spitting | | | | these nationalities, Blizzard sets them |
| on the other gamers. Often times in such | | | | against other players, furthering hatred for |
| encounters, there is no time for even | | | | the people of the real world by spurring hate |
| rudimentary communication, as players are | | | | for the digital representations of them in |
| encouraged and rewarded for slaying members | | | | their game. |
| of the opposing faction on sight. | | | | |
| | | | Walking the line between what is allowable in |
| Most people can see the game for what it is, | | | | depiction of a group of people and what is |
| entertainment. Yet some of the players are | | | | offensive; World of Warcraft inspires its |
| absorbed by the game and lose perspective on | | | | players to hate one another. From that hate, |
| reality. After repeatedly being killed by | | | | the more impressionable, or inclined players |
| members of the opposing faction, the rage can | | | | would not have a far leap to transfer their |
| build to a point where a player may begin | | | | hate from the player to the race they play, |
| threatening another with real physical | | | | then to the real life ethnic group from which |
| attacks. Blizzard set policies in World of | | | | they are modeled. |