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WoW: Shadowlands Has a Trans Character and Blizzard Had to Update the Pronouns in the Alpha

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ManaByte

Gold Member

In an upcoming build for the Shadowlands alpha, we are updating some dialog and quest text referring to a key character to the Bastion storyline: Pelagos. While normally we wouldn’t share these changes in advance, we recognize there is a higher than usual possibility of this being misunderstood if (and when) it is discovered out of context through datamining, and wanted to make sure that our intentions are clear.

A key part of the Bastion storyline is that Aspirants are able to choose a physical form that represents their true self. Pelagos, who presented as a woman in his mortal life, chose to be a man in the Shadowlands. The team had originally written him to use they/them pronouns, but received feedback that he/him would be more respectful of the character’s wishes to be identified as a man. This change is simply the result of us listening and responding to that feedback.
 

Rikoi

Member
Well after they felt the need to tell the world that soldier 76 is gay, and tracer is lesbian, it was just a matter of time before WoW had their trans character. Can't wait for Hearthstone to get rainbow cards.
 
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ShadowLag

Member
It's pretty telling of the times we're in that Blizzard knows they have to get out ahead of a potential rage mob controversy before they've even done anything. Sounds like an interesting character, honestly can't wait for Shadowlands after the travesty that was BFA.
 

DogofWar

Member
I want to make a male orc who is trans and has female haircut, makeup and dance moves. When Blizzard?!
#endtransphobia #stopcisorcs
 

TheContact

Member
I think it's more the pleading to respect the characters wishes than anything else.

With the pronouns you mean? I would think calling a trans person they/them is more "woke" than referring to them as her/him but I honestly don't know.

Why does anyone need representation in games? What's next, an Orc in a wheelchair?

Would you want to play all of your games with only all white males? Or all black females? Diversity is good. Especially in this case, it doesn't seem forced as it fits in with the storyline (if you've been following the Shadowlands at all). I don't like forced representation but here it fits.
 

ManaByte

Gold Member
This is great. Trans people need more representation in games. How is this bad at all?

It's not but it's amusing how Blizzard saw the outrage mob train on the tracks and had to quickly jump in front of it to stop being cancelled by the mob.
 

TheContact

Member
It's not but it's amusing how Blizzard saw the outrage mob train on the tracks and had to quickly jump in front of it to stop being cancelled by the mob.

True. I had no idea they/them was more offensive than referring people as the pronouns they identify as. I thought they/them was respectful in case you weren't sure how someone identified as.
 

JSoup

Banned
This isn't really the big pandering, agenda based thing it's being made out to be.
Queer folk of all flavors exist, the reasonably large world WoW boasts would have a percentage as well, showing that in NPC form doesn't seem like a big deal. Elder Scrolls does this and you don't see people pitching a fit.

Asking about how it looks depends on context. They weren't sacrificing a cow in the name of the LGBT god for guidance, it was more "we're a bit new at this, any general opinion on if we're doing this right?"
 

Forsythia

Member
I honestly think this isn't bad. And that a ftm transgender person prefers the pronouns he/him makes absolute sense, not that dumb they/them bullshit.
 

ManaByte

Gold Member
This isn't really the big pandering, agenda based thing it's being made out to be.
Queer folk of all flavors exist, the reasonably large world WoW boasts would have a percentage as well, showing that in NPC form doesn't seem like a big deal. Elder Scrolls does this and you don't see people pitching a fit.

Asking about how it looks depends on context. They weren't sacrificing a cow in the name of the LGBT god for guidance, it was more "we're a bit new at this, any general opinion on if we're doing this right?"

One of the lead designers on Hearthstone is trans. You'd think they could walk down the hall and ask for input.
 

royox

Member
So they announced that they "solved" a "problem" they had BEFORE it was even released just to get social points? It's like if I build a chair and before selling it I say to the customer "ya know It had a broken leg while I was building it but now it's solved and it's a perfect new chair".


This world is becoming stupider minute by minute.
 
With the pronouns you mean? I would think calling a trans person they/them is more "woke" than referring to them as her/him but I honestly don't know.
But it's not a person, it's a fictional video game character. You can't offend it, no matter how much people like to think you can.
 

diffusionx

Gold Member
Wouldn't the Blizzard writers be, by definition, the people who decide what is appropriate for these characters? And for the millionth time, it's not a real character, fictional characters are not entitled to any "respect."
 
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Silvawuff

Member
Gotta give Bliz props for heading this one off at the pass before it becomes a thing. They're probably still sore from the Hearthstone bannings/China situation.
 

Kayoba

Member
Why? Because they are always crying for attention? Why don't asperger people need more representation? Or people with downs? Or people with 6 finger in the hands?

Do any kind of "condition" need representation or just only the flavour of the month one?

As a lactose intolerant individual, where's my representation at?!

Why doesn't Blizzard announce that Zenyatta is lactose intolerant like me?
 

niilokin

Member
I have no problem with that shit as long as it's just "him/her". Referring to a person as "they" sounds like the person has multiple personalities. I wonder when Elder Scrolls gets attacked because the daedric princes are refered to as princes even though they can present themselves in both male or female form.
 

Flintty

Member
As long as Arthas doesn’t suddenly declare his name is Andrea I don’t give a shit. New trans characters are fine for those who want representation, just don’t retcon/change up my boy (or any other established characters).
 

brap

Banned
Where's the pedo and rapist characters? They need more representation too blizzard!!! Pedos and rapists play games!!!
 

#Phonepunk#

Banned
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