Play’s Republic

Dance with Wolves, Legend of the Fall, The Last Samurai… Did you find a common point? Yes, North America Indians appeared in those movies. One more, they are described with very affirmative viewpoint; they communicate with the nature, they have honorable hunters and warriors who follow after non-material value, they are highly spiritual beings that can’t be found in this modern world.. etc.Before Warcraft Adventure, worldview of Blizzard was not very impressive. War between human and orc is so common setting in western fantasy stories that are influenced by Northern European myths. Although the Warcraft adventure was canceled in the middle of its developing process, the idea was continued to Warcraft 3, and of course, to WOW.

To Orc-ish races, which were used to be just violent monsters, Blizzard applied an image of native Indians of North America; this seemed interesting for me because I think American Indians also used to be considered just as a savage tribe in American history ‘earlier’. Orc shamans wear Indian shamanist costumes. Lots of dream catchers and totem poles are placed in towns of Tauren, too (I hope most of you have seen them.) If you had a chance to read about the history of Orc explained by Blizzard, maybe you already got what I’m saying now. According to Blizzrad, they once achieved highly developed shamanist culture but they went astray and ruined after they dealt with evil power. Anyway, through this process, the world of Warcraft (not to mention the game ‘WOW’.. I meant the general world concepts in the Warcraft series!) established its own character.

(An Orc Shaman)

Well, in general, ‘making races’ process of Blizzrad has been successful. Night elf, which is a race of forest, is originated from Celtic myth. Protos of Starcraft is inspired by ancient Rome and the crusaders of medieval times. Maybe you also recognized the name ‘archon’ of Protos. They also have ‘templer’; it came from the ‘Knights Templar’ (Knights of the Temple) of Jerusalem. For present westerners, especially Americans, the mysterious and historical concepts of those ‘story settings’ might have been impressive. Have you ever feel that the worldview of Blizzard games is so natural just like real ones? No kidding. They are supposed to be natural; because it’s not a complete new design.

Specifically, let me explain some more about Tauren. When I was video chatting with my brother, he showed me an illustration book included only in limited editions of Burning Crusade. He knows I’m taking a play class and studying game culture. So he always tries to help me whenever he gets interesting information. Anyway, there were some high quality artworks of each race and the Tauren Warrior in a full uniform just caught my eyes. His trinkets and other decorative items looked the Indian’s, especially the thing he put on his chest! (squaw chocker? I forgot the name. Anyway some decorative item made by bones or wood..) I remember it was in a portrait of a North American Indian! Of course it took a long time to be sure of that. I had to search for some pictures again.

(A Portrait of Red Bird, a Native Indian)

Of course, I don’t think many people know about this small detail. But most people might agree that it looks so natural and works effectively to represent Tauren’s general mood and concept. It goes so well with Tauren’s other costumes, items, and even its whole village. The effect of borrowing some small ‘real’ images is huge. Think about this; though I don’t know much about the armor system of medieval times, I easily think of a brave knight when I look at a war helmet. Indian ornaments work the same way.We all know that Tauren and Orc are fantasy characters. But being ‘realistic’ and being ‘acceptable’ are different, of course. Blizzard made their fantasy races natural. And finally that made us accept their worldview without much opposition.

 P.S. Warcraft surely was one of two tops in the early history of real time simulation games! Doubtlessly, the other one was C&C. I’m glad that Warcraft series has been developed this far.. But where did C&C go? I LOoOoOoVED C&C then! Anyone else?