General Discussion

I don't mean real life races of course, but hatred directed towards races within the game.

Every time I go to the Warcraft general forum there always seems to be at least 4 or 5 new posts on the front page flaming people who play Elf characters. I played WoW for a little over a year before BC came out as a human warlock, and I was excited to play the new Blood Elf race when they were announced, but now I regret ever having rolled one.

 Every day I'm reminded that I picked a race that people deem gay, and ruined the Horde. It was bad enough just seeing it on the forums, but now I'm experiencing it everywhere. Just a few days ago there was a GUcomic about an orc relishing all the dead belfs on Sunwell Plateau, and it got me wondering if this kind of hatred was experienced in other games as well? Regardless, I've learned my lesson, and will never again roll an elf in an online rpg.  

Originally posted by MST3K84

I don't mean real life races of course, but hatred directed towards races within the game.

Every time I go to the Warcraft general forum there always seems to be at least 4 or 5 new posts on the front page flaming people who play Elf characters. I played WoW for a little over a year before BC came out as a human warlock, and I was excited to play the new Blood Elf race when they were announced, but now I regret ever having rolled one.

 Every day I'm reminded that I picked a race that people deem gay, and ruined the Horde. It was bad enough just seeing it on the forums, but now I'm experiencing it everywhere. Just a few days ago there was a GUcomic about an orc relishing all the dead belfs on Sunwell Plateau, and it got me wondering if this kind of hatred was experienced in other games as well? Regardless, I've learned my lesson, and will never again roll an elf in an online rpg.  

Well the whole blood elf thing started way befor BC. Specifically with the night elves and all. So naturally the horde players that didn't like Night elves in the first place they were peeved to find another "Pretty race" in a side where "pretty" means the avatar that is not rolled over in bones and blood completely.

Plus lets face it, male elves in WoW look totally effeminate:P

It's not racism, it's role playing.

Besides, choosing your race is a choice - it's not like you are born an elf.

Are people a part of mmos? Do different races play them? Then yes. As long as bigotry and racism exists in RL it will proliferate throughout literature and media alike. It is a sad truth really.

Edit: Sorry if what I said above was a little off topic. But  I decided  to add my experience in general with racism.  I agree with the op that elves don't always have to be pretty, etc etc. I agree we need more diversity in our fantasy worlds, not just Lord of the rings with some slight diffs, or another grinder based on some oriental myth. ( DISCLAIMER:Nothing against oriental myth, it is a deep culture i respect as a martial artist and i have many oriental friends, and they agree its been done to death also.)

I am an Arab-American, so you can probably imagine the things people ( mostly other Americans) have said to me upon finding out about my heritage. I have first hand knowledge of racism in online games. But I do not let it get to me, and I do not participate in the game of "reverse racism". If everyone were not concerned with history or the color of ones skin, the world would be a better place.

If some folks think that particular races in a game are more feminine or masculine than others and then choose to use derogatory labels for them, to hell with those fools. One could argue that a female 'cow' character (Taurin) is a much more 'butch' version of the female form than the 'standard' so they all must be lesbians.

Don't let the idiots in the world guide based on thier own weak opionions (in RL or in a game). If you do, you empower them. You become a follower instead of a leader. You want to be out in front steering, not mindlessly conforming 'in the rear' (pun intended, if you get it).

The words 'Sheep' and 'Lemmings' help decribe where I'm going with this.

To the OP. Stay the course! Play the elves!

Originally posted by Digna

If some folks think that particular races in a game are more feminine or masculine than others and then choose to use derogatory labels for them, to hell with those fools. One could argue that a female 'cow' character (Taurin) is a much more 'butch' version of the female form than the 'standard' so they all must be lesbians.

Don't let the idiots in the world guide based on thier own weak opionions (in RL or in a game). If you do, you empower them. You become a follower instead of a leader. You want to be out in front steering, not mindlessly conforming 'in the rear' (pun intended, if you get it).

The words 'Sheep' and 'Lemmings' help decribe where I'm going with this.

 

To the OP. Stay the course! Play the elves!

Yes by all means, If you enjoy something, don't let anyone tell you anything different. If it makes you happy, then damn the Haters!

That's no roleplaying, nor is it racism, it's a childish way to attract attention and a petty competition in who has the biggest 'epeen'. I've made my fair share of silly ooc jokes on a player's choice of race as well, all in good mutual fun, but having to start flame threads is just retarded.

Personally I'm a big supporter of ingame IC racism (and by that I mean real character interation, cultural clashes and IC motivations, not just PvPing someone else because they have a different colour of pixelated skin); conflict still is the best soil for storytelling and roleplaying in general.

However, I'm not demagoguing these days' more commonly found RL racism over the internet and gaming communities in general.

Elves are gay.

Always have been, always will be. Online or off.

Warcraft elves? I can't tell if one is male by looking at it.

Gay probably isn't the most politically correct way to describe it, if I was in the room with a gay guy, I might be inclined to amend my choice of words.

"Poncey". "Overly effeminate".

It might have helped if WoW had made the blood elves a little less girlish looking...

Still and all, if you check the stats (WoW server statistics) you will find that elves are second in popularity only to humans on the Alliance side and are (by far) the most popular race on the Horde side, so apparently the "racism" of which the OP spoke isn't bothering most players or keeping them from rolling elves.

If you want to experience some racism, try rolling and playing a male gnome. Heh. Then, you'll see some real abuse. But still, I never gave a damn what other players thought of my gnome warrior -- and I rather enjoyed playing one of the least popular race/class combinations. (It was also quite satisfying watching the little guy stomp much bigger folk).

One of my friends who plays a lot more games than I do, always calls female elfs "Tree sluts" because he says that's the way most of the MMOs portray them visually.  'fraid I have to agree with him, but then - most women in MMOs are pretty much dressed that way in my opinion.  And have you ever tried to ride a horse wearing an outfit like that??  Talk about chaffing!!