Most of the dances I at least recognized as their real-life counterparts, but other than maybe the Stormwind Castle (and Stonehenge -- duh), I don't think I recognized any of these overtly. Of course, the influences are there -- you can definitely see the Oriental flavor in the Night Elf architecture, and Human buildings are definitely inspired by English and French architecture, but did you know that Durnholde's wreckage compares to a ruined castle in France, or that Zul'Farrak is a take on Macchu Picchu?
Very cool finds. Definitely shows you how much Blizzard borrowed from the real world to make this fantasy setting as believable as possible.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-24-2008 @ 9:17AM
Hilus said...
Actually, the Troll architecture is also strongly based on Mayan buildings and pyramids, specially Chichen-Itzá and Uxmal. The SE part of Ghostlands too.
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5-24-2008 @ 9:28AM
Jason said...
Actually yes, I did notice. Quite obvious? Surprises me that you did not, until recently.
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5-24-2008 @ 3:19PM
Vendrill said...
Jason, please stop being such a dick. Thank you.
Have a great day, buddy!
5-24-2008 @ 9:33AM
Extremitus said...
My fave is that Un'Goro Crater is based on the Ngorongoro Conservation Area AS WELL as being chock full of Nintendo references :)
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5-24-2008 @ 10:08AM
Argent said...
the neuschwannstein-magisters terrace connection i don't see at all. the clocktower one is also pretty off base imo. that tower looks a lot more like some form of fachwerk architecture, whereas the one in prague looks more medieval in nature.
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5-24-2008 @ 10:14AM
Snood said...
also the giant goblin statue in booty bay is probably based on the giant statue of jesus in brazil
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5-24-2008 @ 10:41AM
vlad said...
or the 500,000 other giant statues on this planet.
they do lok close but really all periods and zones have a peticular stly that is easily replicated if your a 3d modeler.
5-24-2008 @ 12:03PM
Hilus said...
IT IS based on the Jesus of Brazil. What's more: this giant Jesus is on the top of a mountain in the city or RÍO DE JANEIRO (january river). And guess what's the name of this zone in Booty Bay?...exactly, Janeiro's cape.
5-24-2008 @ 1:18PM
SCH said...
Yes, whole Stranglethorn Vale has a strong South-American similarity. And a bit of Africa, Jaguero isle feels a bit like Madagascar. Hmm Jaguero~Janeiro...?
5-24-2008 @ 11:11AM
Elmo said...
I once was at a castle in the Czech Republic and it was 100% like Stormwind castle.
the stone was as white, the shapes of the windows etc. it just wasn't as steep as SW castle and had a square. but the architectural style...
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5-24-2008 @ 11:28AM
Elmo said...
I found a picture of it.
http://i.idnes.cz/06/083/cl/PET152c1a_martinaprouzova_hluboka.jpg
5-24-2008 @ 11:31AM
Tenchan said...
Magister's Terrace has a far more East European style than the very West European Neuschwanstein.
Now I need to go look up actual pictures of Ngorogoro.
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5-24-2008 @ 2:01PM
Pulyx said...
And neither of you remembered the statue on Booty Bay that is based on the Christ Redeemer on Rio de Janeiro. (Janeiro's Point on STV)
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5-24-2008 @ 4:16PM
Hilus said...
Hahaha, Pulyx, just go and read posts 6 and 8...
5-24-2008 @ 3:30PM
Lanth said...
Silithus, with its rocky formations reminds me of The Pinnacles.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pinnacles_Desert
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6-01-2008 @ 10:53AM
Krahog said...
And not just buildings and structures, but names also. there is a province in sweden called Dalarna. Switch two letters, and guess what.
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