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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsBreakfast Topic: "Blizzard's Horde bias" -- fact or delusion?
by Jeff Fincher 
Oct 26th 2011 at 8:00AM
It seems every week on the official forums, other game sites, and in daily conversation in Azeroth or Earth, the topic comes up that Blizzard favors the Horde. When the claim is directed toward lore development, even Horde players sometimes agree. But is there merit to the accusation?
Chris Metzen admits he loves Thrall and gets excited talking about the Orc's story, but he's also named Malfurion Stormrage as his favorite character in the past. Developers incite cheers of Lok'tar Ogar and For the Horde! at BlizzCon while suggesting Not the face! for the Alliance's new battlecry.
Most of this, however, is not where players look for their sole source of faction pride. It's in the game. The Horde's story has gotten very interesting with Sylvanas' darker path, Garrosh's controversial leadership, and Thrall's place on center stage in Cataclysm. The Alliance, however, has seen very little involvement from its leaders, and some players feel what they have seen has been out of character for their leaders. Malfurion neutral as Ashenvale burns -- or worse, as Tyrande is attacked?
Perhaps the strongest supporting evidence for or against bias (depending how you interpret it) are Metzen's recent comments that the Alliance will get some needed attention to strengthen that faction pride in two novels focusing on the Alliance, first with Wolfheart by Richard Knaack, followed by a still-untitled novel about Jaina Proudmoore by Christie Golden. But is that enough?
Do you think novels will stir the passion in the Alliance players' hearts, or is Blizzard going down the wrong path for the right desire? Do you think there's any merit to the claim of bias to begin with, or is it just more faction feuding amongst players?
Filed under: Breakfast Topics, Guest Posts
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 19)
loop_not_defined Oct 26th 2011 10:50AM
I don't think it's bias, I think it's simply story-telling. The Horde HAS been "winning" Cataclysm, but has resorted to numerous immoral methods to do so. They're winning...and becoming bad guys in the process.
I'm fully expecting the Alliance to turn the tables soon.
I just hope they don't bring Thrall back immediately and say "lol it's okay guys, we're good again". The Horde *needs* to be punished for what's happened so far.
Daedalus Oct 26th 2011 11:41AM
Well, as long as we're accepting anecdotal evidence as proof about the different factions, I have to say, every single alliance player I know is over 25 years old. In fact, a not insignificant proportion are over 60. Therefore, no children play the alliance.
Also, I don't actually know anyone who plays the horde, therefore, the horde doesn't exist.
Caylynn Oct 26th 2011 12:08PM
To add more anecdotal evidence, I've only ever raided on Alliance. Levelled a few Horde toons. The only time I've ever been personally insulted was Horde-side.
Alliance-side, the guilds I've been in have tended to have players ranging from 25-45 years of age. The youngest member in the raiding guilds have been 16, and they were very mature 16 year olds.
From what I've seen, on the servers that I've been on (both on the EU side and on the North American side), Horde has tended to have more adolescent males, with all the problems that can bring.
Joe Oct 27th 2011 2:42AM
Blizzard, Horde Bias; a retort;
Anyone who would contemplate such an accusation would first have to believe they had a distinct advantage somehow. Does the game provide and advantage or does the lore exterior or the game or even that which is brought into the game have a side which is superior to the other. Obviously, those on the side of their choice will say yes.
But let us take it as lore. Lore provided by the authors that Blizzard contracts. Let us not be fooled to believe that this relies only on the written word, but in the context of music.
Wrath of the Lich King is often referred to by people that play World of Warcraft as a significant expansion. Possibly an expansion to be rivaled by Burning Crusades or Cataclysm. For those that purchased the collector's edition there are many perks. One such perk is a DvD of the music orchestrated for the expansion. The following is my interpretation of said DvD
How can you believe and entire expansion with music around a villain that is undeniably alliance based favors the horde? Is it because this villain originates from the alliance that make the horde superior? What about what is going on in Undercity at the time? Yes, during the Wrath of the Lich King, what is little lady Silvanas doing over there? This is covered beautifully in the music of this DvD. The dark undertones do not suggest she is throwing a party for her closest friends.
Yes as she does her thing, or maybe others for her, the Lich King rules his throne. Gun Drak is being torn by the Trolls, but the Alliance as well as the Horde are forging a way into the frozen throne room of the Lich King. But let's step back, how did Arthas get to where he is? Obviously we would never know except we both horde and alliance return to a distant time in the Caverns of Time to see how Arthas started his long journey. This again is beautifully orchestrated in the DvD as well as the game.
Horde and Alliance alike battle minions and meet foes in game to find out what humanity (the alliance) is capable of doing. This is not to say the horde cannot do the same, but this is a child of the alliance. Stop and listen to the CD that came with the collector's edition. What do you hear?
You hear the struggles of a prince; you hear the struggle of hero's attempting to decipher past events the prince long ago set in motion; you hear humanity. Not night elves, nor dwarves or gnomes, not even Dranie, but humanity. At the core, the alliance is humanity. It is humanity dealing with high elves, with trolls, and all others, at the core it is humanity. Many will say this is a juvenile view, but as it may, the alliance is a humanistic view, even it if only attracts the young that want to be Legolas or Hurcules. The story of the Lich King, no matter what the expansion had for the alliance or horde was geared around this one, man! He was Alliance, he was Lordereon!
To say Blizzard is bias to horde is truly delusional. One only needs to listen to the music from Wrath to see that. One only needs to see what the entire subject of Wrath encompassed. Does Blizzard favor the horde, No. Does Blizzard provide a provocative and believable storyline for the horde, yes! Does the horde get more face time in the stories? On first glance, I used to say yes, however, upon all aspects, Novel, Music, and Game Play, I have to say, if anything Blizzard favors the Alliance. Yes, they give us hard knocks, but what doesn't kill, only makes stronger.
Lok'tar Ogar, and watch out!!!; Tyrande is about to kick someone's rump. Stay tuned ... the war continues...
jacksworth Oct 26th 2011 8:08AM
As a Horde player: Fact
Sinthar Oct 26th 2011 10:23AM
Fact for or against? Most horde I know have mixed feelings, some for, some against (with one bg quoted as the fact they are against). Most alliance barely care anymore - as it is 99% accepted (at least with the people I have spoken with) and is accepted as a sad fact, and then they carry on with their game.
Imho the lore balance to restore Alliance pride would have to be at least threefold.
1) DO NOT PUT MORE SODDING LORE IN NOVELS
Put it in the !"£$"£%"£ing GAME for gods sake. Personally I dont know more than 3% of my guild that has ANY of the books let alone know the lore in them. Put it in a cut scene at the start of the expansion at the very least. Remember some people PLAY for lore. So if you cut it out and say - oh the novel/comic are now the cannon source, you are stopping people from enjoying the game. For example the confusion about Magni.
Also make the lore for the race AVAILABLE for the race. Having to roll a forsaken to see what happened to the worgan was frankly a complete failure lorewise. And stupid besides.
2) Do not have WoW employees openly insult Alliance at Blizzcon
This is a must people. If that 'idiot' guy had not opened his mouth the world would be a better place. If you must have that type of behavour - make it happen in a Horde only area, and a similar one in a Alliance only area. And no I do NOT accept it was a joke/mistake. If I made such a joke/mistake in work - I would be looking for new employment now. And tbh Im not far off saying he should be too (but I think he should be publically apologising for his bigotry).
3) Stop portraying Alliance as do nothing whimps. Seriously, the only time I have seen a Alliance leader actually seem to do ANYTHING was wrathgate. With a minor (ie come to watch) appearence at the games. In fact as far as I can see, Jania is the only real alliance leader I respect.
4) Stop Mary Sueing (or whatever the phrase is) Thrall for gods sake. Hes just so much 'Mr Perfect'. Make him great - yes - but HUMAN (or rather ORCISH). A few wrong choices, a previous (hidden and probably forbidden) love - jesus - even a child via Jania. Something.
sporkwind Oct 26th 2011 11:02AM
@Sinthar
Amen about keeping the lore IN THE GAME. Having events just magically happen in the game based on events in the novels is a jarring experience and a sincerely LAME one.
And having free short stories up on the website doesn't engender much pride either. Let me be there and be involved in events that are essential to knowing who my character is and why he's doing what he's doing.
If you want to advance the lore do it in the game and build parallels in the books. But the game should be the forefront.
tabardsrock Oct 26th 2011 12:37PM
@sinthar
I wish I could up-vote your post even more... you hit the nail on the head with all 4 points
Eirik Oct 26th 2011 4:23PM
@Sinthar:
> Stop Mary Sueing (or whatever the phrase is) Thrall
I'm sorry... all through the Cataclysm and Firelands Invasion stories, one of my main thoughts has been:
So, one arrow through Thrall and the entire world is doomed forever? The ---ing Dragon Aspects, for pity's sake, didn't have a backup plan for if Thrall was gone?
This is, I guess, the critical dichotomy between "Heroic story" and "There's a whole world out there". Thrall can hold the Maelstrom in check forever because as a Heroic Meme, he doesn't have mortal flaws - like the need to sleep.
Vinyl Oct 26th 2011 6:26PM
Sinthar's got it right in one, tbh.
blazenor Oct 26th 2011 8:28PM
Thrall is like Superman in WoW, I'm sure most of you agree.
SamLowry Oct 26th 2011 10:49PM
"1) DO NOT PUT MORE SODDING LORE IN NOVELS Put it in the !"£$"£%"£ing GAME for gods sake."
Agreed.
I don't give a crap about the novels and am still waiting for an in-game explanation of what happened between Lich King and Cataclysm.
If it ain't in the game, then it never happened.
conundrum Oct 27th 2011 9:11AM
Thrall let Sylvanas stay in power and put Garrosh in power. Don't you even TRY to tell me they have not portrayed him making major mistakes.
Fletcher Oct 26th 2011 8:08AM
I think Blizzard doesn't quite get what makes alliance players tick; case in point is Varian Wrynn. Blizzard tried to make a Thrall character for the Alliance ... but Varian would make a better Orc Warchief than human king! They keep trying to make Alliance players like Varian, and it keeps falling flat.
Varian Wrynn for Warchief of the Horde. Magni Bronzebeard for High King of the Alliance.
Jamie Oct 26th 2011 8:14AM
I would have loved to have Magni as the leader of the Alliance. Too much emphasis is put on humans and it creates a superiority which is unwelcome.
HAving said that, I found Varian to be quite likeable at times. And as I've said before as a die-hard Alliance player. I feel more sorry for you guys having to put up with Garrosh than anyone Horde side should feel for us with Varian.
Orrine Oct 26th 2011 8:26AM
Well, they write unfun scenarios for Alliance. Take Twighlight Highlands for example. You gather all dwarf clans survivers to... have a wedding party. Where's epic battle, Dragonmaw settlements ruined and Horde outposts burned?
Meh, just meh.
SR Oct 26th 2011 8:29AM
Varian could very well carry on the legacy of the past Human kings, but too many things are working against him (mostly neglect). If he was actually ABLE to act and start reclaiming Alliance territory, he would be known as a legend to the Alliance and feared by the horde, but... Circumstances are just downright demotivating him from launching assaults (in which I imagine that's what he's best at).
What we've seen in Northrend must be seen again in E.K. and Kalimdor. I'm sick and tired of bullshit where I spend hours on end trying to help out my land, just to have it lost due to bandits, orcs, or Scourge, for goodness' sakes. If the destruction of Theramore doesn't piss off enough of the "sensible" leaders...
MattKrotzer Oct 26th 2011 8:31AM
Orrine: The thing is, that the wedding was supposed to put the cap on the Wildhammer joining the Alliance, bringing into the fold a deadly dangerous terror in the skies for the Twilight's Hammer and the Horde alike.
The problem is, none of that is ever reflected after the quest ends. Wedding, Twilight interruption.... okay, go help the dragons over to the northwest.
There's no payoff to the quests.
jealouspirate Oct 26th 2011 8:44AM
I don't know, I like Varian. He's not the best character ever, but I like him.
It's kind of funny, because in Wrath everyone hated on him for being so angry and hateful of the Horde, for not liking the Orcs and not trusting the Forsaken even after Putress was killed. Everyone said he was stupid and delusional and wrong... but EVERYTHING he thought came true in Cataclysm.
The Orcish Horde? On a quest for world domination, their leader bent on crushing or subjugating the Alliance.
The Forsaken? Even MORE wild and dangerous than the faction under Putress' control.
Varian was right. Is right.
Daedalus Oct 26th 2011 9:22AM
I don't think Varian is meant to be a Thrall character for the Alliance; I think he's more meant to be a Garrosh.
Cat has shown (and comments at Blizzard have more or less confirmed) that the writers think of Thrall as more of a hero for both factions rather than just one. As someone else pointed out, he's becoming sort of like Tirion in that regard. On the surface, Tirion should clearly be considered an Alliance character, but in Wrath, he worked freely with both sides. If you look at that, shouldn't the horde have been outraged at the ending of Icecrown Citadel? An Alliance villain defeated by an Alliance hero, and then another Alliance hero steps up to take on this great burden. Where's Sylvanas' vengence? Where's any Horde character in all that?
So, as for Thrall, he's definitely moved more to being an overarching hero, and frankly, I'd be very surprised if he didn't stay that way. Sorry Hordies; you may get a better Warchief eventually, but I seriously doubt you're getting Thrall back.