20 Years of World of Warcraft culture
The influence of World of Warcraft and the sprawling universe of Azeroth has reverberated far beyond the gaming realm, seeping into popular culture through its iconic characters, unforgettable storylines, and phrases that have infiltrated everyday language. The breadth of its impact spans across multiple platforms and mediums and has captivated audiences for decades. From the “Make Love, Not Warcraft” episode in South Park, to WoW’s Epicus Maximus reference in Despicable Me 2, and even phrases like “Leeroy Jenkins!” and “What happens in Azeroth, stays in Azeroth” used by many day to day. Over the last 20 years, the World of Warcraft Universe has shown how a world of fantasy became woven into the tapestry of popular culture.
World of Warcraft’s Rise to Prominence
Following the original RTS Warcraft games, the 2004 launch of World of Warcraft quickly captivated players worldwide, quickly establishing itself as a leading MMORPG. Careful translation and adaptation ensured the game resonated with diverse cultures and languages, while a strong emphasis on community building fostered a sense of belonging among players. Combined with World of Warcraft’s engaging gameplay and immersive world, this cemented its position as a dominant force in online gaming across the globe.
With such a passionate and vast community, the reach of World of Warcraft quickly escaped its virtual borders and spread throughout popular culture, becoming recognisable even to those unfamiliar with the game. One of the most well known moments is the cry of “Leeroy Jenkins“, following a player’s infamous raid charge. Having missed the raid strategy meeting when he left his computer to make chicken, he returned and raced into battle haphazardly shouting his own name. The cry of “Leeroy Jenkins” is now widely used as a synonym for impulsive actions and used by many across the globe.
Similarly, “ninja looting“, originally referring to stealing in-game loot, is used by people to describe similarly selfish acts, used in films and shows like The Adventure Zone, The Hunger Games and One Piece.
The widespread adoption of this unique language underscores World of Warcraft’s global reach and the power of the game to transcend the gaming community into wider culture.
WoW in Pop Culture
This has all led to World of Warcraft becoming a cultural force across countries and generations, shaping the online experiences and social interactions of millions, while also breaking the fourth wall.
Popular American sitcoms often featured World of Warcraft, such as The Big Bang Theory, from Howard’s passion as a Warcraft player to a satirical episode around Sheldon’s devastation about his hacked account (S4, E19). Similarly, How I Met Your Mother featured Ted revealing he met a girl playing World of Warcraft, with the show depicting their conversation between his human female character and her Draenei Paladin (S3, E6), as well as Barney Stinson exiting the apartment with a “Leeroy Jenkins” style battle cry (S4, E19).
Other dramas like Supernatural, include an investigation leading them to WoW fansites (S6, E12), while Lucifer features a suspect proclaiming his innocence, as he spent the whole evening in Northrend and Arthas, leading his guild on a campaign (S5, E7).
South Park famously dedicated an entire episode to WoW, “Make Love, Not Warcraft” (S10, E8), and is considered one of the show’s most popular episodes. The viral “Leeroy Jenkins” moment also made its way into two separate Family Guy episodes (S16, E14 & E18).
But it’s not just television. World of Warcraft’s influence extends into the realm of film. Despicable Me 2 features a visual gag mirroring WoW’s Epicus Maximus, an elite flying shark, with hero Gru rescuing Lucy who’s tied to a flying rocket-powered shark.
Wreck-It Ralph includes a subtle nod to WoW with a “Leeroy” graffiti tribute, while The Day the Earth Stood Still, features Helen’s son playing WoW. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, also gives the game a nod, as when asked, Nick’s only previous sword experience has come from Azeroth.
Warcraft’s influence also extends into the world of music. American band, That’s Outrageous!, paid direct homage to Azeroth with their song “What Happens in Azeroth, Stays in Azeroth”. Even superstar Lil Nas X harnessed WoW’s recognisability, using a custom character selection screen with himself as a Mage to promote his single “Holiday”.
Forged in Azeroth: Real-World Bonds
The strong culture of World of Warcraft is perhaps best demonstrated through its supportive community and the escapism it offers to many players. The guild system lies at the heart of this, encouraging players to band together, strategize, and overcome challenges as a team. These guilds often become close-knit communities, extending friendships beyond the digital realm.
The 2024 Netflix documentary, ‘The Remarkable Life of Ibelin’, depicts this, highlighting the story of Mats Steen, a young man with a degenerative disease who found freedom and community in the virtual world of World of Warcraft. The community was so rocked after his death, they flooded to pay tributes, and the development team responded in kind by creating a grave site within the game itself to mark the incredible impact he and others like him have had on the WoW community. Thanks to the passion of its players, World of Warcraft is able to cultivate a genuine community, a place where lasting friendships are forged and players find support, connection, and a true sense of home.
The Journey Continues
From Azeroth to the real world, the past two decades have seen World of Warcraft become part of popular culture, able to transcend the gaming world thanks to the strength of its community, the friendships forged in guilds and raids, and the shared laughter and triumphs making the game known far and wide. Whether it’s a Leeroy Jenkins shout-out on television, a subtle nod to Epicus Maximus in a film, or a catchy song referencing Azeroth, World of Warcraft’s cultural influence is as strong today as it ever was.
World of Warcraft: The War Within is available now. To learn more about World of Warcraft and The War Within, check out the World of Warcraft website, or for real-time updates, follow the official X.
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