Unlicensed World of Warcraft theme park opens in China
by Fox Van Allen 
Jul 20th 2011 at 9:00AM
World Joyland hungers.
If you love Chinese knock-offs -- and I know you do -- you'll love this bit of news: World Joyland, the famed and unlicensed World of Warcraft theme park in Changzhou, China, is now open for business. The people at Shanghaiist took a tour of the place, taking myriad pictures of their experience.
In actuality, the park is less of a WoW rip-off and more of a Blizzard rip-off. It includes a Starcraft-themed area named "Universe of Starship" in addition to its World of Warcraft area, which is named "Terrain of Magic."
What kind of rides does the place have? Well, Shanghaiist detailed one of them:
The news is already rolling out for the upcoming WoW Patch 4.2! Preview the new Firelands raid, marvel at the new legendary staff, and get the inside scoop on new quest hubs -- plus new tier 12 armor!
If you love Chinese knock-offs -- and I know you do -- you'll love this bit of news: World Joyland, the famed and unlicensed World of Warcraft theme park in Changzhou, China, is now open for business. The people at Shanghaiist took a tour of the place, taking myriad pictures of their experience.
In actuality, the park is less of a WoW rip-off and more of a Blizzard rip-off. It includes a Starcraft-themed area named "Universe of Starship" in addition to its World of Warcraft area, which is named "Terrain of Magic."
What kind of rides does the place have? Well, Shanghaiist detailed one of them:
While World Joyland may have skimped on the official licensing -- China is much cooler with copyright infringement than we Americans are -- we're pretty sure they didn't skimp on anything else while building the place. The place is probably totally safe and not covered in lead-based paints. Right? Right?Our first ride was an exciting little number called Splash of Monster Blood, and they're not kidding about the splash. We'll just say this much: trying to act cool by refusing the buy a sky blue poncho on your way in is a giant n00b stamp.
The ride was, as its sign board attests, a "beast-bloody journey" (a.k.a. your standard amusement park log ride affair.) After clicking and chugging up a tunnel full of orcs and monsters, you are then plunged down into water that manages somehow to smash you from both the front and the back simultaneously.
The news is already rolling out for the upcoming WoW Patch 4.2! Preview the new Firelands raid, marvel at the new legendary staff, and get the inside scoop on new quest hubs -- plus new tier 12 armor!Filed under: Blizzard, News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Mihal Jul 20th 2011 9:04AM
This can only end in tragedy.
Fox Van Allen Jul 20th 2011 10:19AM
"You will see wonders beyond imagining. But be warned. The land itself will rise up against you."
WoWie Zowie Jul 20th 2011 1:22PM
coming soon: dasneyworld
hey kids go get your pic with mickey rat
Lannden Jul 20th 2011 2:38PM
Zowie, China all ready beat you to it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing_Shijingshan_Amusement_Park
Thunderblade Jul 20th 2011 9:07AM
My eyes bleed!
Austin Jul 20th 2011 9:06AM
There's no way quality can be lacking. Remember those fake game consoles?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1Th7kme4dg
They're practically as good as the real thing.
kukichimonji Jul 20th 2011 9:11AM
It's like I went back to the 80's. But now in a psp shaped package.
SR Jul 20th 2011 9:07AM
This makes me sad in all sorts of ways.
Dinger Jul 20th 2011 9:07AM
Now all they need is the pink Gundam between the 2 Communist Russia impressionst statues of the Lich King
RetPallyJil Jul 20th 2011 3:14PM
Personally, I'd LOVE to see a Communist Impressionist statue of the Lich King. It would be awesome.
sikon Jul 20th 2011 9:13AM
"We Americans"? I hope this "we" doesn't include the readers.
tsmcomputers Jul 20th 2011 9:23AM
"The readers"? You presume that none of us are Americans?
drysta Jul 20th 2011 9:31AM
What do you mean, 'we' people? :P
Anyway, I'm not an American but I certainly didn't take offense or read it applying to me in any form, rather a witty jab at where the company Blizzard is based and the fact most readers here live in the Western/Civilized culture where America is one of the worst for being known to sue, counter sue and amy.
People really need to get over this whole categorizing issue and look beyond it to stop missing the ironic quips and be a little more secure in who they are. If you are not an American and can't see the funny side, then Fox didn't mean you, move along. :)
VSUReaper Jul 20th 2011 9:38AM
True, not everyone that reads this site is from the US, it could be argued that Fox meant north and south America whe he said Americans.
sprout_daddy Jul 20th 2011 9:47AM
"The readers"? You presume all of us can read?
Merican Jul 20th 2011 9:50AM
I love when non-Americans get all bent out of shape is someone insinuates they are also American.
lol umadbro?
Artificial Jul 20th 2011 11:48AM
I know English can be a difficult language for non-native speakers, but it should be noted that when someone says something long the lines of "this is something we Americans do", it implies nothing more than that the speaker is American, and that what he does is something not unique only to him or her, but common among his or her countrymen as well. Whether the person being spoken to (or the reader, in this case) is included depends on whether they are also American or not. The statement itself neither implies that the reader is or isn't American. Acting like it does makes you sound a bit defensive.
DonNochay Jul 20th 2011 12:32PM
@drysta
"western/civilized culture"
Yeah, the Chinese still raid local villages with spears and shields, and offer praise and blood to the mighty over-Gods.... go away please.
kaminari Jul 20th 2011 1:05PM
ZOMG!! I liked and upvoted a comment by don, is this the end of the world or something?!?
drysta Jul 20th 2011 2:23PM
@DonNochay
You miss the point. China isn't Western culture - but it IS civilized - hence why I expressed Western/Civilized, to include people not under Western culture.
However, there are pockets in China, just like in North America and across the world where people are uncivilized. Civilized meaning "polite; well-bred; refined" as defined in the Webster dictionary. Something you, sir, or ma'am as the case maybe, are not. ;)
Again, to you and to the ORP, lighten up. Life is too short!