11-11-2005, 08:34 AM
Being ethnically Chinese, here's my two copper pieces...
There's nothing sacred or off-limits about the giant panda. It's just an animal, like any other animal. Sure, it's an endangered species... and a cute, cuddly one at that, which explains why it's been taken into the hearts of the Chinese. But no, there's nothing taboo about killing a representation of a panda in a game.
If anything, the dragon is looked upon as being much more of a sacred animal. There are even Dragon King gods in the mythology. Still, most have no qualms about slaying Onyxia and kin in WoW, and indeed in the other Taiwan- and Hong Kong-based MMORPGs.
The line was drawn long ago as to what was deemed appropriate and not.
In short, there's nothing stopping the Pandaren from being the 5th Alliance race. And if they aren't, you can be sure that the Chinese market has nothing to do with it.
There's nothing sacred or off-limits about the giant panda. It's just an animal, like any other animal. Sure, it's an endangered species... and a cute, cuddly one at that, which explains why it's been taken into the hearts of the Chinese. But no, there's nothing taboo about killing a representation of a panda in a game.
If anything, the dragon is looked upon as being much more of a sacred animal. There are even Dragon King gods in the mythology. Still, most have no qualms about slaying Onyxia and kin in WoW, and indeed in the other Taiwan- and Hong Kong-based MMORPGs.
The line was drawn long ago as to what was deemed appropriate and not.
In short, there's nothing stopping the Pandaren from being the 5th Alliance race. And if they aren't, you can be sure that the Chinese market has nothing to do with it.