Animal rights organisation PETA has asked Warhammer 40k publisher Games Workshop to remove the depiction of characters wearing fur from its range of miniatures and games.
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Foundation, has become well-known for its anti-fur campaigns and its calls for the humane treatment of animals both in reality and fiction. The backlash this time is coming from their campaign for the humane treatment fictional animals.
This time they’re focused on the fictional creatures of the Warhammer 40k universe, in a statement that it had written to Games Workshop CEO Kevin Rountree, PETA requests a ban on the portrayal of fur clothing in the Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 universes.
“From the mighty Leman Russ and Horus Lupercal to Chaos Warriors and the Sisters of Silence, Warhammer features an abundance of characters who wear what appear to be animal pelts, which just doesn’t add up,”
The open letter continues,
“These battle-hardened warriors are known for their martial prowess – but wearing the skins of dead animals doesn’t take any skill.
“Draping them in what looks to be a replica of a dead animal sends the message that wearing fur is acceptable – when, in fact, it has no more place in 2017 than it would in the year 40,000.”
Warhammer fans have already begun to hit back on social media, explaining to PETA the difference between fantasy and reality.
@peta “The difference between heresy and treachery is ignorance.” -The God Emperor of Mankind #warhammer
— Winterdeath (@WinterDGaming) January 30, 2017
Backlash isn’t just limited to Twitter, with Facebook posts cropping up mocking PETA and their attempt to curtail this hobby.
This would be hilarious, if it were a joke. But it’s not. At least as far as I can tell this idiot is 100% serious.
Let’s get this clear my left leaning friends. You can judge my meat eating, you can turn your nose up at my career, you can change all dates you like. Equality, rights, protests, go nuts. Activate your water molecules. Go to amateur feminist erotic fiction readings. Don’t shower for days at a time. Whatever makes you happy.
But the second you come after my nerd. It gets personal. Neckbeards in reality and spirit. I say we unite! I say we march on PETA. Aquila’s held high. Cosplay in full flare (flair?). Let our voices be heard. Enough is enough. This rampant over politically correct rubbish has to stop somewhere.
I was tossing it up. But my next army is now decided. Space Wolves. Covered in so much fur they can’t even see their foes.
PS: Enjoy the read. It’s pretty funny.
Interestingly the argument ‘could’ be made that depicting fictional characters wearing fur could lead to real fur purchases and cosplay, however PETA doesn’t seem to be making that argument.
Creating outrage as part of this campaign may be a ploy by PETA to get some media exposure… which I suppose we’re feeding into by writing this article… damn. At least some of the responses are hilarious.
So #peta are trying to ban fur on #warhammer figures.. single biggest joke I’ve ever read! Pick your battles peta!! https://t.co/RxA60mfPUJ
— Arkalight (@Arkalight_TW) January 30, 2017
Most of the 40k and tabletop fans we’ve spoken to see the ethical treatment of animals in real life and the depiction of fur and animal suffering in fictional worlds as different.
Yo @peta you’re a fucking embarrassment – you are the reason everyone thinks Vegans are crazy. #Warhammer
— Den Glanzig ™️ (@DenGlanzig) January 30, 2017
#PETA urges #Warhammer makers to stop dressing dwarfs, knights, chaos warriors in “fur”. Yes, in the table top game. https://t.co/ooYj42LkZ6
— Michael Förtsch (@micha) January 30, 2017
Although it is yet to make a similar move into the tabletop industry, PETA has become a publisher of several video games dedicated to parodying famous titles such as Mario, Pokémon and Cooking Mama and promoting its pro-animal principles.
What do you think of PETA’s request to remove fur from a tabletop game set 40,000 years in the future? Let us know in the comments below.
