How absence of dark-skinned characters can affect a WOW movie that uses other cultures and turns

them into fictional depictions

(Nothing that you say here will be twisted, morphed, or quoted in a way not suitable for your noble
self. It is not a day and not an act of goodwill to slander a affiliation.I give you my word that by
replying to this, I will not take it out of context to make this company look bad. This is a great
organization, I have no intention of conspiring against it)
To whom it may concern, I do not know who to exactly speak to this about-but I feel that I am going
about it the wrong way discussing it publicly on Twitter. As a company, Blizzard has a reputation to
preserve, and I do not wish for that reputation to be tarnished because I am asking for 1 dark skin tone
to be added to World of Warcraft, this is why I would rather stick to private messaging. The reason that
I ask for this is because there are 80 light skin tones in-game, but not even 1 dark one. To answer my
own question, perhaps the majority of the creators and developers at Blizzard had light-skin. People,
when creating something with characters tend to create it using humans they identify with. In a fantasy
realm that is up to the characters customization, one of which praises and supports immersion, there has
to be attention pointed towards a national gaming audience, not just a specific racial group.
Here is what another battle.net thread commentator says:
"Lore wise it would make more sense for there to be a wider range of skin tones for dwarf, gnome, and
human characters. Originally this races were Titian constructs made from earth, stone or metal which
tend to have more earth tones. Lore wise there should be darker races but Blizzard only made lighter
races for some reason which really do not match with earth tone constructs."
You could say that World of Warcraft uses other cultures as an inspiration for many in-game races. I
see nothing with utilizing beautiful cultures to paint a more blossoming story, but the topic of using
someones culture yet not supporting their skin tone, and instead representing character as light skinned
is more controversial than this topic itself. The topic is concerning portrayal of dark-skinned
characters in the media, and we all know that in the fantasy genre, it is especially lacking for darkskinned females. I do not ask for an overhaul or a large change. Merely one single addition of dark
complexion to the already vast light skin tones would mean very much to me and so many other
players.
Here are us.battle.net threads which include players whom are concerned about allowing dark-skin tone
options to be included into World of Warcraft:

"Dark skin for humans'

http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/18000119121
"What happened to black human models?"
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/15537714051

"No more Ebony skintones??"

http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/14882978191
"Can humans get a black skin tone?"
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/16491579311
"No black human models?"
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/15538984084
"Dark skin tones removed. Why?"
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/14926712598

These threads seem to focus on dark brown skin, which does not exist in game currently, but we are
willing to compromise and be very much happy and content with just a dark skin tone for a fantasy race
such as trolls, night elves, orcs, or draenei. It is alright if it is not dark brown, but a dark blue, green,
pink, or purple, even dark gray skin tones would make an enormous difference. Inclusion provides am
awesome contrast to an already present majority. The crux of it is, World of Warcraft follows a very
monotone casting for it's characters. This single tone, is light skin, whether blue, green, or purple. Not
every race has to be given dark skin, this may be an additional task of lower priority that can constrain
resources. Merely implementing one dark skin tone for one race, is adequate, and will alleviate the
disparity that comes with having a complete light skinned population and a complete absence of dark
skin. Adding one dark skin option accommodates dark skin into the kingdom of Azeroth and beyond! :)
It is to positively portray dark skin in media that makes a huge difference and brings in so much more
consumers in a positive and diverse manner. One which celebrates involvement, versatility, and
customization.
Here I will attempt to just include details: All of the humans are 'white'. All of the blood elves are
'white'. All of the undead are 'white'. It can be easy to forget, as we do not often pay attention to the
topic of representation to those whom are not often represented-but upon inspection, it becomes real.
One must see it to believe it, and here is the darkest possible skin tone for the human
female: http://i.imgur.com/J4FqKET.jpg
I understand that perhaps the intention was to not allow humans to be dark due to a resemblance to the
'Vrykul' as norse vikings. Also perhaps, that they originated from Northrend and have adapted to the
climate. But the topic of adaptation and real-world resemblance, does not sound as a separate fantasy
identity, it seems as if details from the real world and it's race is being carried down into this game and
used for the Human characters. It seems to be an unintentional double-standard as well, since trolls take
Jamaican culture, but do not utilize dark blue skin, and humans utilize a culture but proudly showcase
light skin. The way trolls is that they do not integrate dark-skin. This is not to reproach blizzard, I wish
for discourse and an official opinion on the matter. Thank you.

The opinion of another thread commentator:

"Man, people are really missing the point here. It doesn't matter if it's fantasy or not, the real world
bias of the developers towards light skin is a problem. The movie Fantasia is also fantasy, but it wasn't
ok to show a (stereotypical) black servant waiting on a white girl. They have tried to hide that over the
years but happened when casual racism was still acceptable. It isn't anymore."
Last but not least, this may be the part that is important to the company, as it stands on a business
perspective:
Note: The following quote is not my own words, but the words of a user on a battle.net thread
concerning how it is not possible to have dark-skin complexions in World of Warcraft playable
characters:
"They could have, and should have, represented more diversity in the races. It has always been a
glaring omission in this game. All the other major fantasy games had already been doing it for years
by the time WoW was made.
I am telling you it is a ticking time bomb for the reputation of the franchise. When this movie is
released if they have not addressed diversity in this game or in the movie then it is going to explode in
their faces.
This is LITERALLY a game that has race wars as its central fantasy trope. If it does not take a more
nuanced and thoughtful approach to the issue of diversity it is going to be seen having some truly
troubling racist undertones."
I feel that this individual has such insight into the matter, and I plead with you, Miss. or Mister, I reach
out to you because you are the one whom may understand why the portrayal of human beings of
different colors in a possible way is important to those whom have often been outcast and excluded
purposely. In no way do I feel that Blizzard condemns dark skin characters, they have shown darkskinned characters in their games over the past, even in the future, and I can name many.
Unfortunately-this topic is seen with such controversy, people do not wish to face it, it is met with
silence and anger at the suggestion. I wish for contingency and a civilized conversation. Please aid us,
this is all that I request.
We feel that adding in 1 single dark-skin tone complexion to the human model would combat
people perceiving that World of Warcraft appropriates cultures of minority groups, but does not
support dark-skin tone options in-game to be playable. Once again, it can be dark blue, dark
green, dark purple. Just having 1 single dark skin option will not destroy lore or derail the game.
Throughout this some people say things such as "Go back to Africa i you want to play a dark-skinned
character" or "Black people don't belong in WOW". This goes on and on, yet, there are so many people
whom support dark-skin and light-skin being together in equilibrium, both participating-I am not
asking for dark-skin to become a huge part of this game, but a single possibility to play as a darkskinned character of any color would be an action of prudence and incorporation. This is all that is
requested, and there is no intention of challenging this company or it's wonderful employees.

Here is to quote one last person from the battle.net thread:

"It's easy to say other people are demanding everything, when you've already got everything catered to
serve you, and thus have no demands to make. Also to imply there were no people of color in Medieval
times is just silly. Plus, isn't that the point of FANTASY? For it to be resembling of, but much more
whimsical than Medieval history? You can handle trolls, witches, magic, and physical manifestation of
deities, but dark skin colors? BLASPHEMY!"
There are several medieval-based fantasy games which include dark-skinned characters. The
elder-scrolls series, Everquest with 'dark-elves', Lord of the Rings online, and many more.
It does not seem as acceptable to restrict dark-skinned characters to not being permitted to participate
in-game. There are darks for any color. There is dark brown, dark blue, dark purple, dark green, dark
gray, so many other dark colors. You must only choose one to include so many people whom would
enjoy welcoming representing dark-skin into World of Warcraft. :)
Sorry, this is just very important to me and this is why I have put effort into it.
Happy days,I hope you have great joy and a marvelous time. Thank you and good luck!