In one of the most recent builds of the Public Test Realm forWorld of Warcraft, a massive number of voice lines have been removed from the game’s /joke and /flirt emotes. This removal comes on the tailwind of numerous other such changes, all of which are a part of an ongoing effort to eliminate troublesome references fromWorld of Warcraftand make a more inclusive environment for players.
InWorld of Warcraft, players can type /joke or /flirt to have their characters say a random voice line from a small selection unique to their chosen character race and gender. However, many of these voice lines contain content that is crass, insensitive, and borderline explicit. Many of these voice lines were the target of this most recent censorship.
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Between the 21 playable races (including the neutral pandaren, available to both theAlliance and Horde factions), plus the unique voice acting for blood elf and night elf demon hunter characters, there are 46 different voice line sets player characters can use inWorld of Warcraft. With an average of 6 /joke and /flirt options each, there are around 550 of such voice lines in game. With this recent cull, nearly 15% of all these lines have been removed, with 30 jokes and 43 flirts being eliminated.
Since the first of several lawsuits surroundingsexual harassment and inequality was filed against Blizzardin July, eyes from both inside and outside the company have been on it. In more recent history,World of Warcrafthad begun to silently change things in the Public Test Realm, from renaming quests, achievements, and items to replacing art assets. Last week, Blizzard finally released a statement explaining the reasoning behind these changes, and the intent to continue to do so moving forward.
While some of the voice lines have been added to the game in recent years, the majority of them are over 10 years old, and the humor of many of the ones that were taken out of the game rely on crass innuendo, stereotype, or potty humor. Most of the linesWorld of Warcraftis removing rely on low-hanging fruit, and were more creepy or awkward than they were funny. While punch-down humor may work in other environments,World of Warcrafthas decided to leave it in the past.
It is no surprise that not everyone is happy with thechangesWorld of Warcraftis making. Some people are furious at what they see as overcorrection and censorship, and criticize the recent changes as unnecessary and excessive pandering. After all, some of the race and gender combinations have had so many voice lines removed that only two remain, such as the female dwarf’s /joke options. However, more voice acting could always be recorded and added in the future. Whether they do or not, if a few harmless lines get swept up with the blatantly offensive ones,World of Warcraftloses little while becoming a better, more inclusive space.
