War of Internet Addiction

Lore & Background

War of Internet Addiction is the third movie by the Oil Tiger Machinima Team, released on 21 January 2010. Two days later it was banned on all major Chinese video sharing websites. Producer Corndog (Chinese: 性感玉米) stated that up to 100 people were involved in the production, which took three months to make and cost zero dollars, as all staff were volunteers. Corndog elaborated that because the production team were all born in the 1980s, they grew up playing computer games and chose online games as their medium for economic reasons, as outdoor activities involve higher costs. World of Warcraft's superior quality and emphasis on team cooperation gave them a sense of belonging.

Reader's Guide

War of Internet Addiction is significant as a pioneering work of machinima à clef, using the World of Warcraft game engine to produce political satire that addresses real-world censorship and social issues in China. The video agit-prop vigorously satirizes the travails of mainland Chinese WoW players over the latter half of 2009, including electroshock therapy for purported internet addiction, the Chinese government's attempts to censor the internet with the Green Dam Youth Escort filter, the corporate battle between The9 and Netease over licensing renewal rights, and bureaucratic infighting between the General Administration of Press and Publication and the Ministry of Culture over control of the game. It also parodies numerous internet tropes, memes, and elements of American pop culture, such as the Terminator franchise. The video's resonance beyond the gaming community, as noted by Corndog, stems from the fact that 'we actually live in the same society and we are facing the same Internet environment.' China Daily placed the film on its list of the best ten Chinese films of 2010, underscoring its cultural impact.

Did You Know?

• The video was made entirely using the graphics and characters of the online version of World of Warcraft.
• It includes audio from Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Bon Jovi's 'Bells of Freedom'.
• The archvillain, Uncle Yang, applies electroshock therapy to WoW players to cure 'internet addiction'.
• Rebel leader Kannimei, a blue-skinned Tauren, gives a fourth-wall-breaking speech that moved some gamers to tears.