World of Warcraft recently released Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdor–the second book in the Exploring Azeroth series. However, as fans of World of Warcraft cracked open the book, instead of the lore and playful details they found in its predecessor, they found tone-deaf characterization and racist stereotypes.
The Exploring Azeroth books are encyclopedias meant to be in-universe chronicles of various regions told from the perspective of beloved World of Warcraft characters. Exploring Azeroth: The Eastern Kingdoms, written by Christie Golden and released last October, was from the viewpoint of Alliance spymaster Mathias Shaw and his partner, Flynn Fairwind, while Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdor was an account given by Horde representatives Rexxar and Zekhan, better known to the WoW community as “Zappy Boi."
Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdor deals primarily with the Horde–traditionally “monstrous” peoples, the likes of which have been portrayed with racist stereotypes in the past. Rather than using the book as an opportunity to correct this trend, Sean Copeland, World of Warcraft’s loremaster, leaned into these stereotypes in harmful ways.
Zekhan, a newly-appointed ambassador and member of the Caribbean-esque Darkspear Trolls, is said to have somehow been unable to read, despite being raised in the literate society of the Horde, and had to be taught by the fair-skinned elven regent-lord, Lor’themar Theron. Likewise, the goblins–a fantasy trope steeped in antisemitism–suffered as well, with Gazlowe, their fair and generous leader, being portrayed greedy, ruthless slave driver. Other denizens of Kalimdor, like the Native American-coded Tauren and the Alliance-loyal Night Elves, are either ignored or undermined by many details within the book.
World of Warcraft is almost 20 years old, and the Warcraft franchise nearly 30. The lore of the universe was originally created in a different generation–one where awareness of harmful stereotypes was not as common. Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdor could have been an opportunity to show World of Warcraft was learning from its mistakes and gradually removing these outdated details.
The community is furious about Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdor. The book itself was delayed for several months, presumably to implement changes as a result of the sexual assault and discrimination allegations filed against Blizzard this year. Most expected the book to reflect this supposed shift in Blizzard towards inclusivity, but instead found their favorite cultures mocked and disregarded, and their favorite characters turned into racist caricatures of who they should have been.
Blizzard will need to do some work to recover from this blunder. Copeland has shown he is unaware of the racist stereotypes ingrained within many cultures of Azeroth, and giving him control over them will continue to harm World of Warcraft if not redressed as promised. While it is unlikely Blizzard will pull publication of Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdor, it could be edited by a team of cultural sensitivity experts and create a new, less-harmful edition. Regardless, this was yet another massive misstep for World of Warcraft, and it will keep falling if it does not continue to make sweeping changes.
World of Warcraft is available now on PC. World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdor is available at select retailers.
Source: Twitter