The hidden references in World of Warcraft
Find out what He-Man, this gnome, and Brad Pitt have in common
Blizzard loves its Easter eggs, and so do we. There are literally hundreds of hidden references to popular movies, television shows, music, and videogames. There are even nods to classic literature for you wordy types. Here’s a collection of some of our favorites along with details on how to hunt them down.
Film and Television
The Big Lebowski
There are a few Big Lebowski references in WoW, but the release of WotLK brings the best in the form of dwarves Lebronski, Walt, Donny and a quest involving a soiled rug, located on the Howling Fjord.
Ace Ventura
Brave players will find a gnome named Finkle Einhorn in the literal belly of The Beast in Upper Blackrock Spire. His name refers to Jim Carrey’s crazed transsexual foe in the first Ace Ventura.
Apocalypse Now
Colonel Kurzen is located in Kurzen’s Compound in Stranglethorn Vale. The story of how he got there matches closely with the life of Colonel Kurtz, played by Marlon Brando.
Austin Powers
A certain maniacal Doctor Weavil and his Number Two are part of the epic ‘The Scepter of the Shifting Sands’ quest line. The former is on Alcaz Island in Dustwallow Marsh, the latter in Winterspring.
Forrest Gump
Firstly, you’ve got Flower vendor Bernard Gump (Florist Gump, geddit?) in Stormwind City. Then you’ve got Fishing Trainer Gubber Blump in Darkshore, who knows a few too many ways to cook crab…
Ghostbusters
You’ll find a certain ‘Egan’ in Eastern Plaguelands, who’ll give you The Restless Souls quest, which sees you using Egan’s Blaster to release the tormented ghosts of Stratholme. Don’t cross the streams!
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter
Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more
Indiana Jones
You’ll find Harrison Jones, famed explorer and dashing archaeologist first in Zul’Aman and then in the Drakil’jin Ruins in eastern Grizzly Hills. Speak to him, and he’ll even don his trusty fedora for you.
Fight Club
Undead players will be familiar with Tyler, Edward, Marla and Chloe of the Undercity’s War Quarter, all characters (or actors) involved in Fight Club. Of course, we’ve broken the first two rules by telling you this.
WoW veteran says the MMO's devs had to make "ten times the amount of quests" as originally planned to sate playtesters, and now the game has 38,000 of them
World of Warcraft devs used to joke about the MMO making $1 million per month - just months before it smashed through $15 million in monthly revenue