The film showcases the partnership between World of Warcraft and Pili, a renowned Taiwanese puppet show, to create a unique visual experience that unifies both cultures. The goal was to reinvigorate interest in the Warcraft brand and attract Taiwanese players to the new Wrath of the Lich King Classic expansion. Using Taiwan's famous puppet show craftsmanship, the film recreates iconic Warcraft characters and scenes in a puppet theater setting. The story of the Wrath of the Lich King is rewritten with local Taiwanese dialogue. Taiwanese fans were amazed by the production and appreciated the blend of both cultures and enjoyed the puppeteers' performance.

World of Warcraft, a cultural phenomenon that once saw more than half of the population playing. Fourteen years after its original release, World of Warcraft invited players to return to the frozen lands of Northrend to reexperience a beloved expansion with Wrath of the Lich King Classic. How to once again rise to the leading brand with this rerelease, and find a way to reinvigorate interest in the brand with Taiwanese players?

Dating back to the 17th century in the Chinese world, the Puppet Show is a classic Taiwanese performance art exemplifying visual storytelling that speaks to Taiwan’s customs and traditions through the ages.

Blending a 400-year-old cultural tradition with modern day gaming

Partnering with Pili, the most iconic puppet show, World of Warcraft characters and scenes were created using Taiwan’s famous puppet show craftsmanship.

Wrath of the Lich King, a hugely popular story for Warcraft players, was recreated in puppet theater and rewritten with local Taiwanese dialogue.

Taiwanese fans overwhelmingly enjoyed the production seeing the puppeteers’ performance and western characters speaking in authentic Taiwanese accents.

Puppetry is the most popular cultural tradition in Taiwan. Originated in Quanzhou, southern Fujian, and later developed in Taiwan. The puppets are made by hand and feature an incredible amount of detail, with wooden heads, cloth torsos, limbs, and palms. During performances, puppeteers wear the puppets like a glove and manipulate them by hand. The art form has been passed down through generations and is deeply rooted in Taiwanese folklore and mythology. During the early days, puppetry was mostly performed at weddings, funerals and traditional celebrations. During the 1960s, puppetry made the transition to television, and performances took place in TV studios. Since then, puppetry has extended to various media and venues, including TV, movies, and multimedia. Today, it remains an important part of Taiwan’s cultural tradition.