With all the changes being made to models and background pictures and such, that have people crying “censorship” or “wokeness”, how many people would ever have noticed the changes had they not been brought up on WoWhead, or other such sites?
When was the last time you looked at the art on the walls in Scholomance? When was the last time you paid attention to what the mobs were called in Black Temple or old Kara? Heck, when was the last time you ran Black Temple or old Kara?
All we’re seeing is minor background changes that don’t affect gameplay in the least, that nobody would ever really have noticed, had the data miners not pointed it out. If you’re getting upset “in principle”, then perhaps you really do need to find some more relevant principles than what happens in a video game.
Because they’re connected to instances of abuse within the company. Like an abuser had a hand in creating a thing, or deliberately put a thing in the game as reference to a coworker. That sort of thing.
I totally think most of these changes are unnecessary, but it’s also not a big deal. The insane reactions to it is over the top even by this forum’s standards. There’s things in life worth getting angry about. Bowls of fruit in video games isn’t one of them.
The issue isn’t the bowl of fruit explicitly, but the implication that more change will progressively occur, and no one has given a clear line as to when they will stop or what they are hoping to achieve with the changes.
If there was a clearcut list of exact changes intended and what they hoped would be achieved from them, there would be less issue.
I still solo run and enjoy both occasionally (probably the only raids I really do) and would have definitely noticed and applauded the addition of male NPCs in certain areas because I found the all female cast jarring and, yes, sexist.
I mean Azeroth is equal opportunity when it comes to political leaders, military leaders, religious leaders, society leaders, paladins, warriors, mages, hunters, ect but not hookers?!!
Think of all the male hookers that could have used that employment that were left out on the streets based solely on their sex.
Cause they’re not angry about the actual changes. They’re angry because it’s a representation of the American cultural war and that the ideologies and values they represent is going to be lost.
Its more of the thing people are concerned it’s a stepping stone because the censorship changes seems to be getting bigger and bigger. We are already up to removing emotes and renaming mounts. Their aren’t many steps above that before it actually does start to affect players. Better to call it out now so they know we don’t like it and hopefully don’t take it too far
I mean overall, it’s primarily just this forum. That’s just how it is, minor changes, huge outrage. A month after and they don’t care anymore depending on said changes.
Now in saying that, I agree that Blizzard is going way overboard. They are going the extra mile to make sure none of the players provoke more PR drama on Twitter or some shenanigans and cause more issues. Especially with the most recent incident. It’s basically cooperate cleanup and nothing will stop it until they feel they are “safe”.
