Patch 5.4 patch notes
Virtual Realms feature revealed
The Proving Grounds are coming
The latest patch 5.4 newsVillage Voice talks with WoW adult film producer Dez
by Adam Holisky 
Mar 3rd 2008 at 4:00PM
With over 10 million people enjoying World of Warcraft every day, there are many different sub cultures that have sprung up in the game. There are guilds based on religious fundamentals, democratic principals, corporate structure, and any other type of social grouping and cause you can think of. One of the more interesting social phenomena that has popped up is the adult orientated content.Of course this content is not produced by Blizzard, and based on legal action mentioned in the article, they don't want their name attached to this content. And that is completely within their right to do so. In fact, it's a smart move for a company that wants to encourage people of all ages to play their games. However, Blizzard's objections to the subject matter have not stopped adult film producer Dez from talking with the Village Voice's Bonnie Ruberg about his film series.
Read on after the break for a review of the interview and further thoughts.
The Village Voice (NSFW) sits down with Whorelore: Swords, Sorcery, and Sex producer Dez and talks to him about the popular internet erotica he's created. The article covers many different topics of his show, from the production quality of the episodes, to the recruitment of new talent.
It's interesting to note the recent name change of the productions. Last year the erotica was called "World of Whorecraft." However based on legal action taken by Blizzard (or at least strongly hinted at the in the article), the name of the production is now "Whorelore."
In the interview, Dez talks about the production values. Indeed, some of the productions are better done than some cable TV shows. Dez tells about a time that they rented a castle just to shot an episode, and how there are large swaths of content that are not related to the erotica at all, but purely for cinematic and dramatic purposes. Acting is something they do.
Dez also mentions a new talent that he's hired. Apparently a female actress who enjoys World of Warcraft got a hold of him and is now going to be appearing in future episodes of his.
All in all the article is a good read for those interested in this particular sub culture of the World of Warcraft.
I'm interested to know, what do you think of Whorelore?
Filed under: Odds and ends, News items
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 3)
Bill Mar 3rd 2008 6:44PM
This is a subculture of WoW that deserves just as much attention as the religious, gay, ethnic, roleplay, and other subcultures. I personally think it's fantastic that people have found such unique ways to express their love of the game. We've come a long way from cybering--excuse me, "RP lovemaking"--in the Deeprun Tram. /e tries to disguise himself as a tree and makes crow noises. ;)
Rakah Mar 3rd 2008 6:49PM
Yes Bill but I'm a parent who does watch what my child looks at on the net...do I have to worry about wowinsider as well?
I wish I didn't have to or thought I didn't have to until i saw this article posted on here. If you click the link that is in the header, it cleary goes to a picture gallery of porn.
Wowinsider HAS to be able knock this kinda stuff off. We are promoting a fun game for all ages, but some news ( and yes, porn film news ) should stay off the site imo.
Bill Mar 3rd 2008 7:02PM
You must be looking at a different Village Voice, then, Rakah. I see a website's homepage that links to its featured article ("The Magical World of Warcraft Erotica") and is otherwise dry and uninteresting. Just because you find a particular site offensive or inappropriate does not mean everyone else does, too. What you consider to be smut is likely old-hat to many readers on this site who won't give it a second thought. And because the article _is_ Blizzard- and WOW-related, it _does_ merit inclusion on this website, which prides itself on "[providing] daily content about what's happening in, around, and about the most popular online role-playing game ever." (http://www.wowinsider.com/about/)
Sean N. Mar 3rd 2008 7:11PM
Bill,
The nudity being referenced is in the gallery on the Village Voice site. On the photo to the right of the article, there is a link to the gallery associated with it. ("More whorecraft photos.") It is these photos which contain nudity. The gallery is marked NSFW only *after* clicking it.
I personally don't have a problem with WoW Insider reporting about this, as it does relate to WoW, and the article, in my opinion, was written in a tasteful way. It in no way promoted pornography nor endorsed the Whorecraft series, it merely reported the facts, as it should.
Rakah, while I wouldn't agree with your decision to boycott the site over this, it is your choice. It's unfortunate your child came across this, but, again, it's typical that something like this is bound to happen on the internet eventually. Maybe an age verifier for viewing this article would have helped to safeguard it a little more.
But, best not make mountains out of molehills. If anything, it's more the Village Voice's fault for failing to adequately censor and/or mark their gallery as having an adult nature, rather than WoW Insider having any fault.
Best regards to all,
Sean
Rakah Mar 3rd 2008 7:16PM
Well if this is the kind of stuff this site "approves", I will go elsewhere.
You don't see Blizzard linking it. Shame on you whoever approved this.
Bill Mar 3rd 2008 7:50PM
I see now the gallery issue Rakah was referring to. Thanks for your help clearing that up, Sean.
Rhiandieynna Mar 3rd 2008 6:47PM
There are all different aspects of the WoW universe. This is just another one. This wasn't vulgar or promotional. Due to the taboo nature of intimate relations in this country, this sort of thing is "scandalous". Seriously, no one is making you read this. Just because something WoW related isn't rated G doesn't mean it shouldn't be talked about.
Gameplay may change during online play. ^^
Adam Holisky Mar 3rd 2008 7:09PM
I generally do not answer flames about my posts, since very little good can come of it. (and God only knows I'll regret saying anything here...)
Rakah, I appreciate your view point. I applaud you for being an active parent engaged in what your child takes in. In this you are a model for others.
I often struggle with questions concerning the validity of "news" and "posts." What is the bright line which defines when content is out of line to be reported on? Who gets to decide it? You? Me? The editors? What about the people who I signed my contract with? The government? The church? A roll of the dice?
This is a serious question that deserves examination, and I would appreciate to know your thoughts. For me this question is a difficult one in that I cannot think of a clearly defined unobjectionable way to filter content. With that in mind, I find it's better to then provide content than not to; in that it is a responsibility of those reporting on news to report it - no matter if we like it or not.
I'll be posting tomorrow on an exploit that is getting people banned left and right, called Portal Blocking. Should we, as conveyors of news and information, get to decide that the greater public does not get to be aware of such an activity? Should we leave it to whispers and underground news and hacking sources, or should we bring it to light on a popular WoW site? Will talking about it with a larger audience just increase the illegal behavior or cause it's allowing mechanisms to be fixed?
I find that my answer to all of the above is that we should post, we should convey the news, and within reason we should not filter what we report on. When the news and journalism is curtailed due to dislikes we are but one step away from Newspeak ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspeak ).
palored Mar 3rd 2008 7:11PM
I find it interesting that MANY new tags were created for this article:
adult-erotica
erotica
whorecraft
whorelore
world-of-whorecraft
wow-erotica
bonnie-ruberg
I have never seen so many new tags created with an article.
Seems like you have an agenda to make this a more talked about subject, because all these tags apply ONLY to this article so far.
Over the top, I think. I think you knew it would be controversial and want to see more related articles, rather than this being a niche piece.
Rakah Mar 3rd 2008 7:25PM
You do realize that this is a gaming site and not the Chicago tribune?
Keep the smut off my game sites. For crying out loud look at the tags...
adult-erotica
erotica
whorecraft
whorelore
world-of-whorecraft
wow-erotica
bonnie-ruberg
You might as well advertise gold selling sites too.
I'm trying to wrap my mind around what news worthy content is here that you just HAD to post about it?
The fact is this...Kids come here. Think about that. Most of these articles talk about the game play, or strategies......this is in no way game related...this is just sex news.
Bill Mar 3rd 2008 8:06PM
If I were to tell you I think your comments are smut, you'd calmly and rationally explain to me why your opinions are valid, and I'd come to understand and respect you for your conviction. Please show the author, the site, and the other readers and commenters the same respect by discontinuing your inflammatory comments.
Adam Holisky Mar 3rd 2008 8:24PM
Two reasons for the tags:
1. It is correct meta data technique to use words, phrases, and thought patterns when ever possible. I have extensive education to back me up on this.
2. The tags will be picked up by content blocking software, thus automatically triggering the blocking of this content if the restrictions are in place that tell it to do so.
And, why is Bonnie Ruberg in your list?
Kujo Mar 3rd 2008 11:28PM
Didn't you say (something like four posts earlier) that you would no longer be viewing this site?
Wow. For a parent (nice FAIL there, btw), it would appear you can't even constrain yourself from being a bad role model in trolling the very site in which you feel so adamant in boycotting. Give me a break.
Don't even bother wasting your time replying to my comment. I'm likely to never even read it anyway. Unless its what gets you off...be my guest.
Bayard Randel Mar 3rd 2008 7:44PM
This is a blog about WoW, and WoW's influence on popular culture is a topic that often crops up. Whether you like it or not, pornography is a part of popular culture, and the article is relevant for this blog.
World of Warcraft incidentally has an ESRB rating of teen. Personally I would hope that your child as a teenager is aware of sex, for their own personal wellbeing.
Gaijin Mar 3rd 2008 7:58PM
I feel that if parents are this concerned about pornography, they shouldn't be letting their children play games of this nature.
My characters have killed tens of thousands of NPCs and players since WoW was released. Sometimes for something as petty as owning a new hat.
If your child isn't old enough to deal with the issues and culture surrounding Adult Entertainment, any game where you kill people for money should also be off limits.
Seriously, is murder LESS of a sin than adultry?
kr3wman Mar 3rd 2008 8:18PM
It is in America. In other places it's the exact opposite, while in others it'S none or both. Really, it's about people's opinion. This is about Wow, and even if your son/daughter was never explained what porn was, they will eventually know.
zymry Mar 3rd 2008 8:15PM
It is newsworthy because it concerns WoW, legal cases, a subculture that exists in the gaming community, and information that (apparently) the majority of people commenting on the article don't find overly objectionable. By 13 I had seen worse than was on the village Voice main article and the gallery (the gallery which is two clicks away from this article not something as apparently indicated in some comments one click away from wow-insider)
Yes lots of new tags were added, and good on them for adding those new tags. There is no way the article on wow insider is ambiguous or unclear as to what it is referencing.
I am a parent as well ,though my children don't play wow yet and I am over their shoulders when they are surfing. I personally find when you make the human (oid) body something that is taboo it leads to more issues than talking and teaching about it's aesthetic qualities.
Steve Mar 3rd 2008 11:22PM
I am not normally one to favor censorship or any such restrictions on internet sites. However, I'm inclined to agree with Rakah on this one. I don't think this should have been posted here.
The Village Voice article is about porn. Whorelore is related to WoW in the same way that Debbie Does Dallas is related to cheerleading - sure there are some words in common, but in the end the theme is not really the focus. The naked girls are the focus. Thy just happen to be wearing plastic pointy ears.
I don't really think that Whorecraft is WoW-related enough to warrant an article on this site. Its nods to Warcraft don't make it newsworthy, and it certainly seems out of place. I do have kids, but I am not worried about them following those links. I can see how parents of teenagers would be concerned, though.
And for those who claim that the kids will find out about porn on their own anyway - that's not your decision to make. Let every parent decide on their own how to raise their kids. For a parent who does decide to filter their child's internet usage, WoWInsider would probably make it through those filters. Thus the reason why Rakah is angry. Try to see it from his point of view.
zymry Mar 4th 2008 12:30AM
Actually Steve, to my mind WoW and whorelore do have more in common than Debbie does Dallas and cheerleading.
Mia Rose one of the "stars" from the then whorecraft now whorelore had her account banned due to her starring in those films (note the ban was later reversed).
Also of note is the large and growing "cosplay" community. It isn't "just about the naked girls" If it were that community and many others wouldn't exist.
Really if we are going to praise "fan created media" such as machinma, and promote events like "wowidol" how can we call for this to be shunned ? Remember rule #34 (I'll let those so inclined google that one up themselves)
Adam Jury Mar 5th 2008 11:21PM
Unless a parent actually gives their child porn [or sets them up to find some], that child *is* going to find out about porn on their own, whether it be by accident, intentionally seeking it out, or a friend showing it to them.
For those that choose to filter their children away from adult material, Village Voice should probably be on their filtered list.