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PETA Clubbing (Virtual) Seals in 'World of Warcraft' Protest Campaign



The business of clubbing baby seals for their fur still occurs on a yearly basis, and, as the seal hunting season begins, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) wants you to help protect the cuddly, defenseless cuties by literally stopping baby seal hunters in the act. Well, not quite -- to be more specific, it wants your 'World of Warcraft' ('WoW') alter ego to take up arms on Saturday, April 11 against four seal hunters from 'Horde' (enemies of 'the Alliance' in the struggle for 'WoW' domination), which the animal rights organization has actually created for the purpose. Although we doubt the attention-hungry PETA really cares, the only problem is that the massively multiplayer online game's devoted followers are in a growing uproar over the organization's ignorance of the game's complex protocols and practices.

Regardless of how the event plays out, PETA has at least succeeded in creating a boom of activity on message boards, sparking a war pitting, as one poster named Kathara put it, "Bored Teenagers vs. Idiotic Hippies." The surge of interest has, though, had little to do with the practice of clubbing baby seals. Instead, 'WoW' fans are arguing over which race of fantastical creatures is the most environmentally conscious. The backlash from those intimately familiar with every minute detail of the 'WoW' universe was inevitable. Hardcore gamers have been airing grievances over the fact that only 'Alliance' members will be able to take part in the mini-game, and have been taking issue with the 'realm' chosen to host the seal slaughter -- the 'Whisperwind' server.
Do you play (or have you ever played) 'World of Warcraft?'
Yes2586 (44.6%)
No3148 (54.2%)
I'm not sure69 (1.2%)

Another hot debate rages over whether or not the 'Horde' clubbers will even be vulnerable to players' attacks. Everyone is pretty certain, though, that you'll be able to bludgeon the seals. We're not sure, however, if you'll be able to fashion a pair of cozy fur boots for your avatar.

If it wanted to avoid criticism, PETA could have just incorporated its racy television and print ads into the game (although PETA probably doesn't mind the attention it's gotten from the media stir). We have a feeling that, if naked celebrities appeared in the game, 'WoW'-sters wouldn't be so concerned with PETA's gaming ignorance. [From: PETA, via FOXNews]

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Tags: PETA, peta ads, PetaAds, top, world of warcraft, WorldOfWarcraft, wow, wow-insider

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