Since Robin Williams’ passing on Monday, there has been an outpouring of grief and tributes from around the world for the beloved actor and comic. President Obama said the 63-year-old Oscar winner “ended up touching every element of the human spirit;” comedian Russell Brand lamented that “Williams’ divine madness will no longer disrupt the sadness of the world.”
But in response to a petition from grieving fans, video game studio Blizzard will be paying the late actor a special tribute: Inclusion in World Of Warcraft.
Williams was famously a fan of the massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG), and in response to his apparent suicide, more than 10,000 people signed a petition started by Jacob Holgate from Texas to “create an NPC [non-playable character] within World of Warcraft to memorialize the late Robin Williams”
“Arguably one of, if not the most, funniest man to ever walk the earth, the loss of Mr. Williams is felt worldwide with a collective intake of disbelief and crushing sadness,” the text of the petition reads. “Because of his presence in our community, we the players of World of Warcraft are asking Blizzard to kindly create an NPC within the game that memorializes the actor/comedian.”
@Dakirokos @mumper @CM_Lore @DaveKosak @davhave Yes. We’re taking care of it.
— Celestalon (@Celestalon) August 12, 2014
Blizzard took note, and responded impressively quickly—less than sixteen hours later game designer Chadd Nervig confirmed that the petitioners’ wishes would be granted.
It’s not yet clear what form Williams’ in-game tribute will take, though Holgate had one suggestion. “Many have expressed a wish to this character perform some of Williams’ best jokes within the World’s End Tavern, so that he may continue making us smile long after his passing.”
H/T Business Insider | Photo via Rolo Tomassi/Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0) Remix by Jason Reed