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.
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]
Related Links:
Anti-Corporate Protests and Boycotts
Motrin Ad Pulled Due to Online Protests
In November of last year, mothers took to the Twitter-streets in protest of a Motrin video advertisement that, they claimed, belittled young mothers. In no time, Johnson and Johnson took down the ad, posting a letter of apology.
Apple Pulls "You Can't Be Too Thin" Ads
In 2007, after airing an ill-advised ad campaign for their new line of iMacs that featured the tag line "You Can't Be Too Thin," Apple received innumerable complaints, including one from the Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness. The ads were promptly pulled.
Boycotting Sellers Dent eBay's Business
In February of last year, eBay sellers banded in a boycott after the Web site laid claim to higher commissions on sold goods and eliminated sellers' ability to give negative feedback to buyers. In just one week, eBay's listings dropped by 13 percent.
Students Stage Virtual Protest on Facebook
Disturbed by HSBC's suspension of their free overdraft protection, collegiate customers of the bank launched a Facebook protest in 2007. Backed by the National Union of Students, the online protest won out as HSBC decided to maintain the policy.
Facebook Lactivists Take Protests to the Street Over Breastfeeding Pictures
Last month, self-described "lactivists" set up shop outside Facebook's headquarters to protest the site's removal of all images containing breastfeeding mothers.
_thumbnail.jpg "Vintage Keyboards")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Angiebaby said 11:12AM on 4-10-2009
Maybe PETA can show us how they murdered the vast majority of animals in their care last year, and the baby seal hunters can use their animal slaughtering methods. PETA should be down with that, don't you think?
Reply
frabittz said 11:55AM on 4-10-2009
As an (ahem)companion caretaker(if that`s the PC term for the day??!!),I try to take good care of my cat and dog ,but PETA usually takes things to the unimaginable extreme! Please don`t try telling me your next idiotic proposal is for a law to make waterbeds mandatory for my cat and dog,as this will only earn you the you`re number one salute!
Reply
Anonymous said 12:28PM on 4-11-2009
I am with you on this SERIOUSLY people need to learn that Different Cultures Have Different Ways. Just look at our ancestor's they had to hunt and such, not all of that was pretty or nice. The STUPID Preppy Ass Bitch Modern Day Hippies Need To Get In the real world find it's not all GLITZ and GLAMOUR and that people in the world Survive how they do, Maybe because their culture is still set in the old ways doesn't give you the right to stand up against them. I hate what you do but I don't go and PLASTER it all over saying I HATE PETA, No I keep it to myself and yes there is some things out there that are just cruel to animals without a doubt. But when those things occur it is then a criminal act and the police are paid to take care of it. So wake up SMELL THE DAMN BACON which TASTES AMAZING and smells so good. Figure out the world is cruel and that you need to find a HOBBY and let the world continue on the way it has for MILLIONS OF FUCKING YEARS.
Reply
blah said 7:27PM on 4-11-2009
PETA PETA PETA, you guys freak out at every little thing you see that involves an animal, i think PETA hates animals, there was this one commercial, with a monkey playing the wii having fun, and they go ballistic and show monkeys trapped in cages, so a monkey having fun = caged monkeys? and jeez about the Biden dog thing, that's none of your business, buy one get one killed? wrong, when i buy a dog from a breeder, no one goes, he bought a dog from a breeder, lets go kill one in a shelter! no it doesn't work like that. And the anonymous person, your right if someone mistreats an animal as bad as you guys think, the cops are called, not you animal haters, you cant do anything about the hunters that need to hunt to eat, or the fisher who fishes to make a profit and feed his family, so SHUT UP!
Reply
Masterofallz said 7:13PM on 4-11-2009
Can you say; Attention whores?
Reply
Orc Babe said 8:52PM on 4-11-2009
Well, I suppose I shall have to transfer a character over to that server and go have a whack at those seals. Maybe give my best shot at killing an alliance Peta member or two. Seriously, digital seals? Do they have rights? Is Peta all out of real live animals to fuss over? Even if they are just worried about the game perpetuating real life violence toward baby seals, just how many WoW players live near baby seals? Perhaps next they will be telling me to spay or neuter my pet worg. I'm sure he's not going to like that. LOL
Reply
Shyanne said 2:18AM on 4-16-2009
Haha! I tottaly agree with you there, Though I had a few friends who acctually did transfer their horde chars over to there to slaughter seals and the PETA failliance people. Virtual seals.... PETA freaks out about Every little thing even things are real!
Brian Hartshorn said 12:03AM on 4-12-2009
Honestly? I play WoW, and I, myself, feel offended by this. PETA has no right to invade the actions and entertainment, along with the skills of each character, as the character progresses throughout the game, of an everyday video game player like me. That is like...taking out zombies, and mutant insane freaks, in games such as Resident Evil, Dead Rising, and Left 4 Dead. It is all part of the damn game, and that is why Blizzard put it in there. The reason why Blizzard allows characters to kill, virtualized, animals and creatures, is because not everyone can afford a cape, boots, gloves, etc..., for their character, that will benefit them in the Auction house in the game. This is unreal and out of control, and PETA can go f*&% themselves. If they have a problem with me and what I said, I dare them to email me, because I will rip them a new one. Also, PETA, you guys are for the protection of animals? Ok, here is a senario for you: You are out in the woods, by yourself, and you see a bear. You may think to yourself, "What a cute harmless bear" The bear, on the other hand, is thinking "Look at that poor, yummy human" Next thing you know you are the bears dinner. Here is some food for thought you bastards: Stay away from our video games and hobbies, and worry about yourselves you selfish pigs!
Reply
Mark said 12:56AM on 4-12-2009
Ya know, I know that this is a video game post, but I still think that it is important to show a little balance. The statistics about PETA killing their animals is from the Center for Consumer Freedom. Just the fact that they link to the website petakillsanimals.com should make you suspicious enough, as that website is run by the meat industry - they've killed more animals than PETA ever could. Also, you should probably have posted this article in order to give PETA's rebuttal to this argument that comes up a lot:
http://blog.peta.org/archives/2009/03/why_we_euthaniz.php
It is important to be honest about even those who you hate.
Reply
Esquawow said 1:39AM on 4-12-2009
lets just say world of warcraft has already made it;s preperations for this protest. believe me if there is any crowd more sympathetic to your cause it;s gonna be a bunch of wow geeks, there surly gonna spread the word. not mock you at every turn they can. and again they insult the wow community even more by putting the horde down as the "clubbers". god there full of idiots who everyone hates, who are trying to get that crowd of people who you probably didnt have to worry about pissed at you.
jackass'
stphn said 10:00PM on 4-15-2009
it's things like this that remind me why i signed up to defend my country
Reply
Shyanne said 2:21PM on 4-16-2009
Wow.... Thats pretty retarded, do they NOT realize that its JUST a game? Its not like the quests that invoulve killing animals means that you should go out and kill every animal you see. Sieriously, Its Just a game. None of the animals are real
Reply
Ninja Lurk said 9:40PM on 6-14-2009
I mean, we could always go club real baby seals if that would make you feel better. Seriously, its a friggin game. Ya'll are trying to stop us from beating up on a digital, nonexistant creature? That would defeat the purpose of the game- killing creatures.
Reply
pks29733 said 2:46PM on 6-28-2009
Maybe the game maker should have replaced the seals with PETA members!! PETA, if you don't want to wear fur, DON'T!! If you don't want to eat meat, DON'T!! PETA I will do what is leagal (wear it, eat it, shoot it, etc.) and you better do the same (throwing a.k.a 'assault' on people wearing fur ISN'T!!! plus doesn't help your image) in your 'protest!!
Reply