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Finkle Einhorn Renamed; More Transphobic, Sexual, and Racially Suggestive Dialogue Removed from WoW
Posted
2021/10/12 at 11:09 PM
by
Archimtiros
Continuing with their quest to
update references within World of Warcraft
, Blizzard has made another round of changes across the game. Most notably, Finkle Einhorn has been renamed to avoid a transphobic reference, many sexual jokes have been toned down, and several uses of the term "greenskins" have also been removed.
Pip Quickwit
The gnomish explorer and quest giver
Finkle Einhorn
has been renamed
Pip Quickwit
. Originally found trapped inside the stomach of The Beast in Upper Blackrock Spire, the character's previous name was an amalgam of the characters Ray Finkle and Lois Einhorn from the film
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
, which Slant Magazine once called
The Most Offensive Football Movie Ever Made
. Over the course of the movie, the two characters are revealed to be one in the same, in a turn of events which has been widely criticized for transphobic shaming, as Ray/Lois is not only portrayed as sociopathically deviant, but the titular character Ace is also
repeatedly shown to be visibly ill
after learning their identity.
Along with the name change, various associated item references have been changed accordingly.
Finkle's Lava Dredger
is now
Hyperthermically Insulated Lava Dredger
.
Finkle's Skinner
is now
Pip's Skinner
.
Finkle's Flenser
is now
Pip's Flenser
.
Finkle's Twinkle
is now
Auto-Decoding Band
.
Finkle's Mixer Upper
is now
Pip's Solution Agitator
.
Einhorn's Galoshes
is now
Quickstep Galoshes
.
Dialogue Changes
Many lines of dialogue and references have been adjusted throughout the game, ranging from simple updates to remove developer references and account for the renaming of
Mac'Aree to Eredath
, other changes are much more substantial and target sexual or racially suggestive themes. Due to the large number of changes, we've separated them into six rough categories below.
Implied Lack of Consent
A handful of references which imply a lack of consent have been adjusted, several of which concern the NPC
Theresa
, a human in the Undercity which was experimented on by
Gerard Abernathy
. Theresa is rumored to be a reference to a seeress in Fable who was blinded by bandits, though in World of Warcraft, she is described as the "pet" of Gerard Abernathy, who brags to nearby NPCs about having removed parts of her brain in order to permanently dominate her. This is also represented in game by her title <Gerard's Mindslave>, which has been changed to <Gerard's Experiment>.
With the new dialogue, she remains in thrall to Gerard, though references to domination, torture, removing parts of her brain, putting a collar on his "pet," and the not-so-subtle suggestion that Gerard repeat the experiment in order to breed humans have all been removed.
Didn't I tell you my new domination techniques would work?
Didn't I tell you my new technique would work?
A little ritual torture can go a long way.
A few well-chosen rituals can go a long way.
A little torture, a pinch of magic, and an ample helping of invasive surgery. She was conscious, of course.
A little torment, a pinch of magic, and an ample helping of discipline, of course.
I managed to discover that certain parts of the brain when removed or stimulated will make a subject much more docile.
I managed to discover that certain parts of the brain when stimulated will make a subject much more docile.
Amazing! How did you manage a permanent dominate?
Amazing! How did you manage to maintain control?
Astounding. You managed to dominate her, yet she retains self awareness and function. How did you do it?
Astounding. She maintains self sufficiency and function. How did you do it?
I've never seen anything like it. No concentration or loss of awareness while the subject is dominated. What did you do to her?
I've never seen anything like it. No concentration or loss of awareness. What did you do to her?
Very nice, Gerard. Next you will be breeding them.
Very nice, Gerard.
Your pet is wonderful, Gerard, but she needs a collar with a bell I think.
Your pet is wonderful, Gerard.
Come here, pretty. You have what I need!
Come here, pretty!
Greenskins
Several uses of the term "greenskin" as a disparaging remark for Orcs due to the color of their skin is being changed or removed, and while this would appear to be made for sensitivity purposes to avoid racist tones, some derogatory descriptions of skin color such as "green hide" remain. Another theory is that these changes are actually being made to avoid potential conflict with the
Orc & Goblin race of Greenskins
from Games Workshop's
Warhammer
series, due to the company's propensity for
attempting to trademark common terms
.
Whatever the case, many overt uses of the term "greenskin" have been changed to phrases like "greenish," "green hide," or removed outright. It is also interesting to note, that despite also having green skin and actually being native to Azeroth, Goblins aren't referred to that way, while the NPC actually named
Captain Greenskin
and the associated legendaries
Memory of Greenskin
and
Greenskin's Waterlogged Wristcuffs
remain unchanged. This may lend some credibility toward the trademark theory however, as a specific character name would not fall under the same protection.
Orcs. It seems I've been fighting them all my life.$B$BTwenty years ago we shattered the Horde and tore down the walls of their Hellfire Citadel. We drove the vile greenskins to the very brink! After that, other than a few skirmishes the broken orcs never again posed a threat to us.$B$BUntil now.
Orcs. It seems I've been fighting them all my life.$B$BTwenty years ago we shattered the Horde and tore down the walls of their Hellfire Citadel. We drove the vile barbarians to the very brink! After that, other than a few skirmishes the broken orcs never again posed a threat to us.$B$BUntil now.
Here I am, in a rough-hewn stone tower squatting on marshy, muddy ground while clouds of midges fly unchecked through the open doorways, standing amongst hunched, greenskin figures of dubious hygiene and coarse manners. I've never been happier.
Here I am, in a rough-hewn stone tower squatting on marshy, muddy ground while clouds of midges fly unchecked through the open doorways, standing amongst hunched, greenish figures of dubious hygiene and coarse manners. I've never been happier.
Greenskin... I know why you've come. You will not find allies in my kind for we do not trust you.
Little green one... I know why you've come. You will not find allies in my kind for we do not trust you.
It's not much, but it just might keep your green skin intact.
It's not much, but it just might keep your green hide intact.
Hands up, greenskins! My men will give you your new bearing. You try anything funny and we'll fill you with lead.
Hands up! My men will give you your new bearing. You try anything funny and we'll fill you with lead.
What manner of creature are you? <The pandaren pauses, her eyes growing wide.> My... look at that gorgeous green skin!
What manner of creature are you? <The pandaren pauses, her eyes growing wide.> My... I've never seen anyone like you before!
High Perch belongs to the Horde. Or should I say... the "green-skins".
High Perch belongs to the Horde.
You dare invade Stromgarde, rightful home of the Trollbanes? Get out of my sight, green-skin.
You dare invade Stromgarde, rightful home of the Trollbanes? Get out of my sight!
"Green-skin"? Ohoho... now you've made me mad.
Ohoho... now you've made me mad.
Risqué Jokes and Sexual Remarks
Various sexual jokes and remarks, such as those spoken by
paramours and consorts in Karazhan
and
patrons in the Black Temple
, have been toned down. While the general meaning of most of the jokes are unchanged, some are now less self depreciating, others change the subject of the joke, while the rest are made completely non-sexual by removing references to touching, foreplay, threesomes, getting distracted by physical attributes, or sex in general.
So I said, "Yeah, but that'll cost you extra."
So I said, "You can't afford me."
Five seconds. I'm not kidding!
It's always over so quickly.
He asked if the imp could join in--can you believe it? Actually, it wasn't half bad....
I can't help but tell them I'm out of their league.
They fall asleep after. Me, I fall asleep during....
Is it too much to ask for a little excitement?
I've been very, very naughty....
Someone's been very naughty!
Enough foreplay. Let's get down to business.
Let's get down to business.
It's a great assignment, yeah, but "all looking and no touching" gets old after a while.
This really is a great assignment. Everyone is so stunning!
I believe I was showing my motorcycle to some hot babes at the time.
I believe I was showing my motorcycle to some fans of mine at the time.
Go water my Huge Melons, further down the path!
Go water my Melons, further down the path!
Water my Huge Melons!
Water my Melons!
Yes! A song about the lore and all the lessons we can learn from it all. Sounds exciting, doesn't it?$b$bBut... we're still working on it. Chadrik seems easily distracted lately. Is there something on my tabard?
Yes! A song about the lore and all the lessons we can learn from it all. Sounds exciting, doesn't it?$b$bBut... we're still working on it.
Greetings, $r. I am the sworn protector of Watcher Megana. She has special gifts that I... uh, our leaders... greatly admire, and must be guarded closely.
Greetings, $r. I am the sworn protector of Watcher Megana.
Sexually Disparaging Dialogue
A handful of lines which made disparaging remarks toward women and effeminate men have been changed, including dialogue in which the Blood Elf
Johnny Awesome
is repeatedly referred to as a girl by
Master Apothecary Lydon
in the Horde Hillsbrad Foothills questline.
You want to know why women are no-good? Because you think that all they're doing is calling upon the spirits of the dead. But then, you catch them doing a little more than talking! I mean, how does that even work with a ghost?
They told me that after I died I'd pay my dues for all the wrong I did in life. Doesn't sound like a fun time. Why don't you bring me back so I won't have to go through that ugliness?
Somebody shut this little girl up!
Somebody shut him up!
Do you want a dolly, little girl? Would that make it better?
Do you want a tissue, boy? Would that make it better?
KILL ME OR KILL THE GIRL!
KILL ME OR KILL HIM!
Developer References
Levixus the Soul Caller
in Auchindoun would frequently read from the Book of the Dead before shouting several garbled phrases in Demonic, but when translated by Warlock players, it was actually revealed to be a cleverly hidden Easter egg in which the Eredar praised the names of various Burning Crusade artists and animators. With Blizzard's commitment to toning down references to real life individuals however, Levixus is now proclaiming more lore friendly doom and gloom.
Jeffrey Kaplan! Tom Chilton! Rob Pardo!
More! More souls for the Legion!
Justin Thavirat! Roman Kenney! Our entire awesome art and animation team!
The bones feed my power!
CHRIS METZEN!
The Naaru can not save you now!
Pat Nagle! World design team! Cory Stockton, Paul C., Jim Chadwick, Staats, Ed Hanes, Morris, Gotcher, Jesse!, Sarah B., Victor C., Dave A.! All of our amazing exterior artists!
None will be spared!
Updated References
Most of these changes reconcile the
renaming of the Argus city Mac'Aree to Eredath
, in order to avoid the reference to former Blizzard developer Jesse McCree, along with a similar update for the
Big Love Rocket now known as X-45 Heartbreaker
.
On Argus, Mac'Aree was the most sacred of our cities.$B$BWould you believe me if I told you that the walkways were lined with precious minerals? That the rivers glittered even in complete darkness?$B$BI long for those days... How long has it been? A thousand years? Ten-thousand?
On Argus, Eredath was the most sacred of our cities.$B$BWould you believe me if I told you that the walkways were lined with precious minerals? That the rivers glittered even in complete darkness?$B$BI long for those days... How long has it been? A thousand years? Ten-thousand?
This place is nothing compared to Mac'Aree, and soon it will burn with hellfire just the same.
This place is nothing compared to Eredath, and soon it will burn with hellfire just the same.
Mac'Aree was once the pinnacle of eredar civilization.
Eredath was once the pinnacle of eredar civilization.
My brothers abandoned their shards when Sargeras arrived. They are still here, in Mac'Aree.
My brothers abandoned their shards when Sargeras arrived. They are still here, in Eredath.
This is not how I thought I would spend my time in Mac'Aree.
This is not how I thought I would spend my time in Eredath.
We have many unanswered questions about my brethren's fall to madness here in Mac'Aree. Bring me any memory crystals you find and I will continue my research.
We have many unanswered questions about my brethren's fall to madness here in Eredath. Bring me any memory crystals you find and I will continue my research.
The darkness that lingers in the temple... the shadow that looms over all of Mac'Aree... is L'ura.
The darkness that lingers in the temple... the shadow that looms over all of Eredath... is L'ura.
The remaining fragments may still be here, on Argus. We must go to Mac'Aree where my brothers and I once ruled.
The remaining fragments may still be here, on Argus. We must go to Eredath where my brothers and I once ruled.
I am afraid our continued presence on Mac'Aree has awoken more angry spirits. Help them find peace.
I am afraid our continued presence on Eredath has awoken more angry spirits. Help them find peace.
The Legion's forces occupy the estates of Mac'Aree. Activate the nobles' vigilants to help with the battle. No doubt their power crystals have been stolen by the eredar.
The Legion's forces occupy the estates of Eredath. Activate the nobles' vigilants to help with the battle. No doubt their power crystals have been stolen by the eredar.
The Legion seeks to claim a foothold on Mac'Aree. Disrupt their forces any way you can. Give them a mess to clean up.
The Legion seeks to claim a foothold on Eredath. Disrupt their forces any way you can. Give them a mess to clean up.
Forces from Antorus are using the remains of Talgath's portals to stage another invasion on Mac'Aree. Stop their advance before we are overrun.
Forces from Antorus are using the remains of Talgath's portals to stage another invasion on Eredath. Stop their advance before we are overrun.
You bought us valuable time, but we must remain vigilant. So long as the Legion knows we have a foothold on Mac'Aree, they will not relent.
You bought us valuable time, but we must remain vigilant. So long as the Legion knows we have a foothold on Eredath, they will not relent.
Antorus demands its prize! Mac'Aree will be ours!
Antorus demands its prize! Eredath will be ours!
Your lives are forfeit, should we fail. Secure Mac'Aree!
Your lives are forfeit, should we fail. Secure Eredath!
Mac'Aree... this is all that is left.
Eredath... this is all that is left.
I've sent scouts to gauge the extent of the Legion's incursion into Mac'Aree, but they have not returned. Please find them and give aid... if they yet live.
I've sent scouts to gauge the extent of the Legion's incursion into Eredath, but they have not returned. Please find them and give aid... if they yet live.
Hold, Prophet. I have scouted the area. The shadows grip Mac'Aree more tightly than you know.
Hold, Prophet. I have scouted the area. The shadows grip Eredath more tightly than you know.
So many draenei traditions were lost during our long journey. The spirits of Mac'Aree have not forgotten. They practice the ritual combat of Jed'hin even now. Perhaps they will welcome a new challenger!
So many draenei traditions were lost during our long journey. The spirits of Eredath have not forgotten. They practice the ritual combat of Jed'hin even now. Perhaps they will welcome a new challenger!
I would not worry too much about their heads. Only males with the thickest crests choose to compete, and these are the best Mac'Aree has to offer.
I would not worry too much about their heads. Only males with the thickest crests choose to compete, and these are the best Eredath has to offer.
Mac'Aree... it looks just like how I remember it. The forests, the hills, the herds of talbuk...$b$bI wonder if my old workshop is still down there. Do you think if you had a moment, you could ...?$b$bForgive me. You have much more important things to do. Let me know when you are ready to go to the surface.
Eredath... it looks just like how I remember it. The forests, the hills, the herds of talbuk...$b$bI wonder if my old workshop is still down there. Do you think if you had a moment, you could ...?$b$bForgive me. You have much more important things to do. Let me know when you are ready to go to the surface.
Have you seen Prophet Velen's new dance? He calls it the Mac'Areena.
Have you seen Prophet Velen's new dance?
With Alleria's teaching, we can avoid the fate suffered by those on Mac'Aree.
With Alleria's teaching, we can avoid the fate suffered by those on Eredath.
Sold! A Big Love Rocket to the lovely lady for 1,412 gold! She will certainly be the talk of the town now!
Sold! A mint condition X-45 Heartbreaker to the lovely lady for 1,412 gold! She will certainly be the talk of the town now!
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