2012 - Race-Based Fantasy Realm: Essentialism in the World of Warcraft

Abstract

This article explores issues of racial essentialism and ethnicity in the massively multiplayer online role-playing game World of Warcraft (WoW). The fantasy world of Azeroth mirrors elements of real-world race-based societies where culture is thought to be immutably linked to race. The notion of biological essentialism is reinforced throughout the gamescape. Race plays a primary role in the social and political organization of Azeroth. Among other things, race determines alliances, language, intellect, temperament, occupation, strength, and technological aptitude. The cultural representation of the respective racial groups in WoW draws upon stereotypical imagery from real-world ethnic groups (e.g., American Indian, Irish/Scottish, Asian, African, etc.).

Classification 0410: group interactions; social group identity & intergroup relations (groups based on race & ethnicity, age, & sexual orientation)
Identifier / keyword MMORPG race ethnicity essentialism World of Warcraft
Title Race-Based Fantasy Realm: Essentialism in the World of Warcraft
Author Monson, Melissa J 1

1 Metropolitan State College of Denver, Denver, CO, USA monson@mscd.edu
Correspondence author Monson, Melissa J 
Author e-mail address monson@mscd.edu
Publication title Games and Culture

Year 2012
Publisher Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks CA
ISSN 1555-4120
Source type Scholarly Journals
Language of publication English
Document type Journal Article
DOI
http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.library.ewu.edu/10.1177/1555412012440308
Update 2012-10-01
Accession number 201235317
ProQuest document ID 1081862328
Document URL https://ezproxy.library.ewu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.library.ewu.edu/docview/1081862328?accountid=7305
Last updated 2012-10-03
Database ProQuest Social Sciences Premium Collection