a review by Nalini Haynes
Save the Murlocs is a druid-run organisation, working towards saving murlocs since 2009. A World of Warcraft reference but the video is absolutely hilarious black comedy. Save the Murlocs begins as a bleeding hearts style mockumentary where a druid is explaining about the devastation caused by hunting murlocs. The murloc hunt is apparently caught on the hunters’ own video camera, complete with sound track. Back in Ironforge, the druid pleads for help saving murlocs while a crowd gathers and performs for the camera. Someone holds up a sign saying “Chuck Norris 3:16” while a female draenai dances and a guild charter opens onscreen.
Murlocs are creatures in WoW whose role is to be killed for experience in the original version now referred to as ‘vanilla’. In Burning Crusade, murlocs are brought to Outland to restore the ecology. Allegedly. One could be forgiven for thinking the release of murlocs in an enemy’s village is done for less virtuous reasons. In Wrath of the Lich King, murlocs are split into factions. Players become friendly with one faction and even dress up in a murloc costume to sneak into the enemy faction’s camp. Many players love to hate murlocs, but may also have a murloc ringtone.
This review was previously published in Dark Matter issue 1, October 2010, and predated on this website to reflect the original publication date.
