By Stevie Smith Dec 21, 2007, 7:04 GMT
The continuing push of computer and videogames into the realms of mainstream media has taken a decidedly quirky turn recently, with a host of international celebrities offering their services to help advertise the hugely popular online game World of Warcraft (WoW).
Verne Troyer is the latest star of the silver screen to say "What's Your Game?" in WoW commercials. Credit: Blizzard.
In World of Warcraft, players literally 'become' their chosen character (avatar) and exist, evolve, and interact with other real-world participants in a massively open world. Available character classes and creature races are varied and offer the player access to a host of different skills and abilities, all of which can be levelled-up to increase aspects such as magic and battle prowess.
Using the game's character classes as their recurring theme, the new "What's Your Game?" World of Warcraft commercials are highlighted by the likes of William Shatner, Mr. T, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Verne Troyer, who are keen to convey their chosen avatar to the viewer while waxing lyrical about their respective strengths.
For example, Lord William of Shatner (Star Trek) is positively resplendent as a magic-imbued Shaman, while Mr. T (A-Team) is a mighty Night Elf Warrior (or Night Elf Mohawk as he insists), while diminutive Vern Troyer (Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me) is a mini-Mage and a self-styled "master of the arcane!"
Already boasting approximately 10 million players around the globe, Blizzard's World or Warcraft probably doesn't need this kind of advertising to further its reach. Then again, every little helps and the current campaign is certainly good for videogames in general in terms of continuing its placement and acceptance as something more than a geeky pastime and niche source of entertainment. Plus any opportunity to see Shatner shamelessly sending himself up is well worth the viewing.
There are currently no comments for this article. Be the first to comment! (no registration required)
There are currently no comments for this article. Be the first to comment! (no registration required)