An MMO Tribute to Michael Jackson
July 29, 2009 by Joel Tan
Filed under Aion, MMORPG, Random Rants
Michael Jackson, the world’s one and only King of Pop, has passed on but his legacy will continue to live in the memories of millions of adoring fans who, surprisingly, include hundreds if not thousands of online game players. I realize that this tribute is a bit late so I’ll keep it short.
Frankly, I was surprised at the reaction of different massively multiplayer online game communities when news of Michael Jackson’s death hit the headlines on June 25, 2009. In China, home of hundreds of thousands of MMORPG players, the outpouring of grief was pretty evident in the way they observed mourning for Michael’s passing.
In an article reposted by bommy4217 on the MMOsite forums entitled “The ways of Chinese MMORPG players mourn for Michael Jackson,” we can clearly see how Chinese MMO players cherish the memory of the King of Pop.
Here’s an excerpt from that article:
June 25, the world-renowned King of Pop—Michael Jackson left us. To the players after 70s and after 80s, MJ has become a myth. He led an era. Rumors had surfaced that Jackson was involved with the game industry. No matter what, his left shocked everyone. MJ is the forever myth. Besides the praying in the network, the Chinese MMO players also use their own approaches to cherish the memory of him.
Pardon bommmy4217’s use of English as it is not his mother tongue. Fortunately, it doesn’t take Einstein’s keen intellect to sift through what he means.
Among the “ways” of remembering Michael Jackson he cited, I found two that amused me the most—a quest in the online game Superstar by Shanda where you have to sing four songs—Rock With You, Billie Jean, Heal the World and You Are Not Alone. Upon completion of the quest, the player is rewarded with Michael Jackson-inspired equipment. Bedazzled gloves, anyone?
The other one is a recreation of the King of Pop’s likeness in the new massively multiplayer online role-playing game Aion:
