How World of Warcraft Takes Inspiration from Real-World Mythology

It's no secret that Blizzard MMO World of Warcraft has seen its subscriber count dip in recent years. The hit multiplayer title reached 12 million global subscribers in 2010, following the release of the Wrath of the Lich King expansion in China and just before the Cataclysm expansion launched in the west. However, by 2015, these figures had dropped to just 5.6 million players.

For Blizzard, maintaining this player base (even in its declining state) and drawing curious newcomers into the fold is mostly down to the game's world-building. Few games have such a rich and engaging lore as World of Warcraft and part of that is thanks to the real-world mythology that it takes inspiration from.

World of Warcraft Borrows From Real-World Myths and Legends

World of Warcraft borrows from several different cultures and histories from around the world. The most notable example of this is the Mists of Pandaria expansion pack, which introduced the ancient kingdoms of Pandaria and the Pandaren, a panda-like race which became the game's first neutral race. In real life, meanwhile, the panda bear is one of China's most well-known cultural symbols, with statues of the black and white creatures being used in Feng Shui to protect the home.

The game also uses several popular MMORPG tropes to build its world including orcs (origins in Anglo-Saxon fiction), elves (from Germanic mythology and folklore), and the dungeon hub of Ulduar with its Halls of Lightning dungeon are directly influenced by Nordic culture. These references aren't new but the familiarity and the mystical tinge Blizzard has given them makes these mythical concepts and ideas believable but altogether more interesting for players to encounter and discover.

What Other Games Borrow from Mythology?

Granted, World of Warcraft isn't the only game that takes a leaf out of the big book of global culture. The Vegas Millions at William Hill borrow from several different mythologies, with the slot games incorporating these different cultures and beliefs into their symbols and reels. Wish Upon a Leprechaun uses leprechauns, the little green fairies from Irish folklore, while Egyptian Goddess looks at one of the most interesting periods in history, featuring hieroglyphics and treasure.

Meanwhile, Riot Games' MOBA League of Legends and Blizzard's Overwatch both incorporate mythology using in-game events rather than including them in the foundations of the games like the slots mentioned above. Both games host Lunar New Year celebrations, featuring the symbols of the "year of" creatures (dragons, roosters etc.). The Overwatch Lunar New Year event even adds new cosmetics like Baihu (White Tiger) Genji. 

While these events are mostly held in an effort to appeal to the game's Asian player base (places like China and South Korea celebrate the Lunar New Year), it's an opportunity for players around the world to learn more about cultures they know very little about.

Mythology allows game developers to both mix things up, away from the bog standard settings and examples. World of Warcraft is partly medieval but its use of mythology adds another layer to things. As such, expect more developers to incorporate other cultures in future.