Twenty years ago, I began writing online out of love for games — their infinite worlds, their invitation to become a hero. In those early days, our MMORPG blog circle felt like a fellowship. Blogrolls were not lists; they were bonds, silent oaths of kinship.
All I wanted was to explore the design of fantasy virtuals worlds and help make them better. I never sought a fight. But as the worlds I loved were poisoned — hollowed out by corporate greed and ideological dogma — I faced a choice: stay silent and watch them die, or pick up the sword. I chose the sword, not out of ambition, but out of duty. I became a reluctant warrior.
I saw the cracks in World of Warcraft as early as 2008. With Wrath of the Lich King, Blizzard locked us onto rails, turned us into passengers in their story rather than authors of our own. That shift foreshadowed the coming cultural collapse: freedom replaced by dogma, worlds replaced by corridors. Then came the rise of “social games,” Farmville-style manipulations designed to farm dopamine rather than inspire wonder — another sign of the commodification of play.
When Gamergate erupted, gamers were demonized, painted as toxic misfits to be purged. We nerds built this industry, brick by pixelated brick, yet they grew ashamed of us and plotted to replace us with a “modern audience” obedient to their cultural script. In that moment, my fellow bloggers had a chance to defend our space, our hobby, and our identity. None were man enough to stand. They retreated into personal diaries, safe journals chronicling harmless adventures, and became cowards compliant with the new narrative. Virtual courage in slaying dragons meant nothing when real-world monsters appeared at the gate.
They bragged about bravery in fantasy, yet feared a mean tweet more than any raid boss. Their courage was puddle-deep; mine was real.
Twenty years later, most are gone. I remain. Unbowed, unbought, unbroken.
To all who have continued on this adventure with me — thank you. Your courage, curiosity, and loyalty keep the fire burning.
—Wolfshead
