We’re one day away from the release of the second expansion to what is arguably the biggest computer game in the world, World of Warcraft. Blizzard has implimented the final events that will make the Horde and Alliance take the fight to the undead Scourge in the frozen continent of Northrend.

Mostly it’s a bunch of undead NPC shmucks getting ripped up by friendly NPCs.

Admittedly, a dynamic player-driven event like the zombie infection a few weeks ago is a tough act to follow. That really felt different and dangerous, especially when it spread to the world’s most powerful characters: The auctioneers.

(Think about it: There’s fifteen people in World of Warcraft that control all aspects of worldwide commerce. If they’re not a secret shadow government cabal, I’ll eat my hat. Forget the kings. These are the people running the show.)

Anyway, this is all staged at this point. There’s no incentive for players to join in and fight off the undead threat to the capital cities. Even in the last couple of weeks, players got rewards for thwarting the Lich King’s puzzling plan to teleport minions to the most deserted and desolate parts of the world and have them stand still.

Games are interactive, which is why they’re games and not movies. They’re at their best when the player is participating. This is all for show.

It’s not bad, this show, but it’s a little anticlimactic. I guess I was expecting something a bit… more.

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