"Employee only" bronze Orc and wolf statue finds its way onto eBay
by Daniel Whitcomb 
Apr 14th 2008 at 8:00PM
Here's an eBay auction that might be worth watching: A rather spiffy looking bronze statue of an Orcish Wolf Rider. While the statue looks pretty awesome on its own, what's intriguing is the source: the seller claims that this is the statue created exclusively for Blizzard by WETA employed sculptors Eden Small and Daniel Cockersell. You may recall this article in the OC Register (Alex Ziebart reported on it for WoW Insider here), which mentions the commission of a 12 foot high version of this statue for the courtyard of their new headquarters, to be installed this summer. Certainly, the statue looks pretty good, and it has an impressive pedigree. Daniel Cockersell himself has also created some pretty good looking Warhammer sculptures, and Small and Cockersell have also worked together on official merchandise for the upcoming Prince Caspian Movie and Doctor Who, among other things.
I'm not sure I'll have the money to get in on this auction, since I imagine it'll get pretty high, but I do sort of want to head down to Irvine this summer just to drool over the larger version. I'm sure it'll look pretty sweet if this smaller statue is any indication.
I have to admit to being curious as to which Blizzard employee decided they'd rather have a bit of extra pocket money instead of the statue, though, or if there's another reason that this statue has appeared on eBay, and from a seller in Ireland, at that.
Filed under: Blizzard, News items, Orcs
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kryptonls Apr 14th 2008 8:15PM
Strange, no bids since it was listed on 6th April.
Looks like you'll get the chance to bid after all, Daniel!
Ronin Apr 14th 2008 8:20PM
Hate to burst any bubbles..but in order to "see" this on Blizzards new campus (the 12 foot high version) you'll have to get past the security guards at the front gate. Their new campus is a lot like a movie studio...and if you aren't on the list...you aren't getting in. (There's a reason why their old building had NO signage on the outside...)
I've been there and seen the empty spot where it will stand in their courtyard. If they capture 1/2 the detail in the large version as in the small one this will be an amazing piece of art sitting at the heart of their campus.
I think I heard they are giving a version like this to every Blizz employee as well. So this might be one of those.
Daniel Whitcomb Apr 14th 2008 10:51PM
Bah, I play a Feral Druid! I'll totally just prowl in. Totally.
Moshnerd Apr 14th 2008 8:42PM
I want that in my bedroom!
Kyle Apr 14th 2008 8:53PM
I'm waiting until tomorrow then throwing in a bid. Hopefully it isn't outrageously high by then.
Dah Apr 14th 2008 9:12PM
If this is as it claims to be, it's in pretty bad tastes for the employee who got this to e-bay it.
crsh Apr 14th 2008 9:55PM
Meh, people don't care anymore; a quick buck for a limited-issue piece of "art" (whatever rocks your boat) is the way to go. I find it strange it's listed for only 100 euros, personally.
TotalBiscuit Apr 14th 2008 10:03PM
More interesting to me is the fact that these fellows actually do stuff for Forgeworld, which those of us Warhammer-nuts know, is the place to get exceptionally high quality and unique models.
Badger Apr 14th 2008 11:15PM
... Seriously? The sculptors work for Forge World, too?
All I have to say is: Baneblade resins FTW.
woez Apr 14th 2008 10:44PM
I was a little less impressed to see that it's actually faux-bronze, meaning plastic.. if you're going to go to all that trouble, don't cheap out at the end..
Pingping Apr 14th 2008 11:37PM
Fitting that the folks over at Forge World made these. Just about everything Blizzard releases is a rip off of some Games Workshop property.
Look familiar?
http://store.us.games-workshop.com/storefront/store.us?do=List_Models&code=301738&orignav=300976&ParentID=251857&GameNav=13
Tons more examples about 5 minutes on any Warhammer site and you'll be amazed what you find.
Starcraft is just as bad at ripping off 40k.
NeSuKuN Apr 15th 2008 2:02AM
Hello, welcome to medieval-fantasy universes, I hope you don't mind that here everything is a rip-off of a previous universe
SaintStryfe Apr 15th 2008 4:55AM
Well, GW only has itself to blame -
Back in the mid-90's, Blizz had a WH game all made up, ready to release when GW got cold feet. With a giant property developed, a little tweeking of the story, most of the same models with minor changes, and we get Warcraft.
Warcraft goes on to be a world-wide phenomina, while GW and Warhammer continues to be something geeks in mom's basements obsesse over.
Badger Apr 15th 2008 9:22AM
I dunno if I agree with the 'Mom's basement' thing, but other than that, you're right on the money.
Also, NeSu, there are some innovative settings out there - the word 'Steampunk' comes to mind - but mostly, yeah, they all start to blur together and look the same after a while.
Brian Apr 15th 2008 3:20PM
Funny then that Mark Gibbons (ex GW artist from back in the 90s) is doing concept art for Wrath of the Lich King and Andy Chambers is working on Starcraft II. Around the time 40k was first launched GW had a very 'cartoony' style. They dropped this style in favour of their more gothic edgy look and blizzard continued with it. I like both styles of fantasy art. As for the who did what first: Read the Battle of the 5 Armies from the Hobbit.
BFail1987 Apr 15th 2008 3:16AM
Some what little known fact, Warcraft; orcs and humans was originally going to be a warhammer property. The game was bailed on by GW and some changes where made so it was a stand alone as "warcraft". Thats what I have read at least, but I suppose its all based in myth and tolkien anyways so whatever.
Its pretty common to see GW distributors selling models they get at "limited editions" the same way on ebay, I suppose its your's to do with as you like once you are given it and if that is to make more money, then thats fine in my book.
Elentari Apr 15th 2008 4:03AM
Maybe this statue is being sold from Ireland because Cork is one of the new blizzard support centers
Ireland FTW...
Someone Else Who Has One Apr 15th 2008 10:24AM
As someone else who possesses one of these it sickens me to see it eBayed online and furthermore "advertised" by WoW Insider.
Be aware that the sale of this item is unsanctioned by Blizzard and to all intents and purposes it is a "black market" item.
Every single full time Blizzard employee in the world was given one of these for free as an appreciation of their work and being part of the family that helps make Blizzard so successful. And that's the key here, Blizzard is a family and this is intended as a gift.
Who ever is selling this has no respect for their fellow family members and if they weren't already excluded from the family, I hope they are soon.
Narlic Apr 15th 2008 8:51AM
Family, eh? Someone's been drinking corporate koolaide.
woez Apr 15th 2008 7:00PM
Oh brother..
It's still just a nice piece of swag. Get over it.