World of Warcraftrecently releasedExploring Azeroth: Kalimdor–the second book in theExploring Azerothseries. However, as fans ofWorld of Warcraftcracked open the book, instead of the lore and playful details they found in its predecessor, they found tone-deaf characterization and racist stereotypes.
TheExploring Azerothbooks are encyclopedias meant to be in-universe chronicles of various regions told from the perspective of belovedWorld of Warcraftcharacters.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, whileExploring Azeroth: Kalimdorwas an account given by Horde representatives Rexxar and Zekhan, better known to theWoWcommunity as “Zappy Boi."
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Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdordeals 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’sloremaster, 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 theliterate 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 Warcraftis almost 20 years old, and theWarcraftfranchise 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: Kalimdorcould have been an opportunity to showWorld of Warcraftwas learning from its mistakesand gradually removing these outdated details.
The community is furious aboutExploring Azeroth: Kalimdor. The book itself was delayed for several months, presumably to implement changes as a result of thesexual assault and discrimination allegations filed against Blizzardthis 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 harmWorld of Warcraftif not redressed as promised. While it is unlikely Blizzard will pull publication ofExploring 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 forWorld of Warcraft, and it will keep falling if it does not continue to make sweeping changes.
World of Warcraftis available now on PC.World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdoris available at select retailers.
