World of Warcraft at Ten Ton Hammer

In a recent blog entry, Richard Bartle, the creator of the MUD or multi-user dungeon spoke out against Blizzard, alleging that they have broken the Geneva convention in their recent Wrath of the Lich King expansion. In this expansion there is a quest that requires the player to torture a non-player character. Mr. Bartle was offended, nay, more than offended by this virtual tasering of a virtual person.

Ten Ton Turnip has delved into this issue, torturing the NPC repeatedly. No matter how many times we torture him he keeps returning for more. In fact, he appears in the same chair over and over again. Surely someone who was being tortured would ensure that they eluded capture after the first, second or oh, 100th time? We believe this quest to be some kind of freak sadomasochistic statement by Blizzard rather than a shot across the bow at the Geneva Convention.

Blizzard has many strange and unconventional statements within its World of Warcraft title. Nearly every creature within their world is not only aggressive, but outwardly hostile toward players. Let's not even get into the whole 'furry' aspect of the game. Tuskarrs, Tauren...shiver. The costume contests at Blizzard events seem to lend weight to this deviant behaviour.

Mr. Bartle was unavailable for comment, probably because we didn't try to contact him. We were afraid that he would put us in one of his dungeons. What kind of a person creates dungeons? Aren't dungeons against the Geneva Convention?

In other news, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has ensured that they are not left out of this tsunami of public attention by protesting that killing and injuring virtual animals is immoral. A second group, also going by the name PETA (People who Eat Tasty Animals) is running their own publicity campaign claiming that there is plenty of room for animals, right beside the mashed potatoes on their plate.

More on these stories as it becomes available.