In the second phase of the “War of Thorns” event in World of Warcraft players finally learn how the World Tree Teldrassil is set on fire. However, the way this happens causes great discontent. Some direct their anger at the WoW author Christie Golden.
Insults and death threats: Especially players of the Horde faction are angry about the resolution of the conflict. Since the release of the “Warbringer” video for Sylvanas and the questline in Darnassus related to the War of Thorns, tensions have been rising.
Writers and developers are being insulted and receiving suicide demands. The threats are even directed at people who have nothing to do with the development – like the writer Christie Golden.
The Horde is angry
The strong reactions are coming from the community in general, but especially Horde players feel attacked by the course of events. They fear that history is repeating itself and that they will be portrayed in a bad light again.
Attention! The following text contains spoilers for the “War of Thorns” event!
The Teldrassil is burning – out of hatred: The reason for the uproar is Sylvanas Windrunner, Warchief of the Horde. In a recently released video, which can be seen during the questline related to the “War of Thorns,” she ignites Teldrassil, the home of the Night Elves.
The tree burns and takes hundreds of innocent civilians with it to their death. On the Alliance side, players in WoW try to save the innocents but fail in their attempt. Sylvanas’ motive is purely hatred, as the video shows.
Horde players are forced to assist in the questline of the “War of Thorns” with Sylvanas in her act. Therefore, a genocide is now officially attached to the hands of the entire Horde.
Why this presents a problem: Such an action probably wouldn’t have caused such an uproar if it had not happened before. In Mists of Pandaria, the then Warchief Garrosh Hellscream acted similarly.
Hellscream destroyed Theramore with a mana bomb – thereby turning Jaina Proudmoore into the bitter person she is today. Garrosh’s image worsened throughout the expansion until he served as the last raid boss.
The Horde had to eliminate their own Warchief and admit that they had long been on the side of evil. This story is now in danger of repeating itself.
Some are actually escalating on Twitter and telling well-known WoW authors that they should kill themselves. The tweets have since been deleted. Here are some of the “milder ones.” (via mmo-champion.)
Community fights back against the hate: Although some players are upset and overreacting, some members of the community are also trying to smooth things over. In forums and on reddit, fans are calling for not to react so harshly.
They want to distance themselves from the calls for suicide, defend Christie Golden, and show that the community does not hate the developers and Christie – especially since Christie Golden herself had nothing to do with the videos. The “Warbringer” story was developed before she came on board.
Golden is likely serving as a lightning rod for the anger of some parts of the community.
All the Warbringer pieces where well into development before I came on board.
— Christie Golden (@ChristieGolden) July 31, 2018
Some parts of the community have some completely different craziness in store: A raid leader forces players to sign a contract – with a penalty of 349€
