About the Project
“What can change the nature of a man?”
The Puzzle Box of Yogg-Saron is a zine about the unique experience of playing World of Warcraft (WoW) as a person of neurodivergence or with a mental illness.
Those of us who are not neurotypical already navigate the world in our own way, and it only makes sense that we would continue to do so in the virtual world of Warcraft. This zine exists to showcase the intersection and effects of these experiences in-game and in real life; that is, how our neurodivergence affects our gameplay, and how our time in Azeroth influences our real life experiences as neurodiverse people.
“In the sleeping city of Ny'alotha walk only mad things.”
The Warcraft franchise has been enjoyed by millions since 1994, and with the release of the MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-playing Game) World of Warcraft in 2004, players new and old have become invested in its world. Like other pop culture phenomena, Warcraft has become an inseparable, passionate part of its fans’ identities. For many it has surpassed its status as being “just a game”; through its many games, books, comics, merchandise, and thriving communities on- and off-line, Warcraft is a way of life. Events, relationships, and experiences that occur in WoW are as meaningful as those that occur in their non-virtual lives.
Neurodivergence and mental illness are also influential enough to affect a person’s identity and everyday life. The dynamics of a neurodiverse person’s life are comparable to those attributed to ethnicity, gender, and culture, and can therefore influence everything from their personal relationships and aspirations to what clothes they wear and foods they eat.
“There is no sharp distinction between the real and the unreal.”
People who are neurodivergent and/or have mental illness are often pressured to question their own realities or to conform to what is deemed typical, even if this conformity is unhealthy, harmful, or incorrect. Having access to a reality where their perceptions are not so consistently challenged or invalidated is a draw of many neurodiverse people to World of Warcraft. However, even for neurotypical players, the question is raised as to how much of what happens in a virtual environment like WoW is “real” and how far we should allow it to define our lives.
The Puzzle Box of Yogg-Saron is made possible by those who meet at the crossroads of these communities.
To learn more, please visit the zine's official blog on Tumblr!
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This project and zine are not affiliated with Blizzard Entertainment or World of Warcraft. This project and zine are not for profit. Any and all proceeds will go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.