Plotting terror attacks in World of Warcraft: it was inevitable that someone would float the idea. It combines the ever-popular eQaeda meme (virtual jihadis) with the as-yet underdeveloped fear of massively multiplayer online games. I'm just catching up to this one, but it's a goodie:
[T]wo World of Warcraft players discuss a raid on the "White Keep" inside the "Stonetalon Mountains." The major objective is to set off a "Dragon Fire spell" inside, and make off with "110 Gold and 234 Silver" in treasure. "No one will dance there for a hundred years after this spell is cast," one player, "war_monger," crows.
Except, in this case, the White Keep is at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. "Dragon Fire" is an unconventional weapon. And "110 Gold and 234 Silver" tells the plotters how to align the game's map with one of Washington, D.C.
Except, in this case, the White Keep is at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. "Dragon Fire" is an unconventional weapon. And "110 Gold and 234 Silver" tells the plotters how to align the game's map with one of Washington, D.C.
(thanks to Todd Bryant and everyone else)
Well if Homeland Security really want to detect "threats" made in MMORPGs, they're going to have to get a clue to start with. :)
Almost all of the hypothetical is WoW. But "Dragon Fire" is not a spell in World of Warcraft. It is a spell from Everquest.
Nubs. :)
Posted by: Leonard Low | September 29, 2008 at 19:35
Let's hope Leroy Jenkins is on the bad guys' team...
This is such foolishness.
Posted by: Ed Webb | September 30, 2008 at 13:03
Heh, Leonard.
Ed, a mashup is now called for.
Of some relevance, this story-podcast: "Jihad Over Innsmouth".
http://pseudopod.org/2008/09/05/pseudopod-106-jihad-over-innsmouth/
Posted by: Bryan Alexander | October 01, 2008 at 20:58