Upon further analysis, World of Warcraft can be regarded as a fantasy spel, and the anti-Jihadist ideology that underlies it is quite relevant. The Game is also an addictive activity. The anti-Jihadist ideology is rooted in the Templar tradition. Whether a player becomes addicted to the Game is another matter. But in this case, the game is a part of a larger network of players who are in the same position as the gunman.

Templar tradition

The murder of 77 people in Norway and the attempt to resurrect the Knights Templar ideology have been attributed to the “Templar tradition” as defined by Anders Breivik. Breivik’s manifesto includes a long-term plan of “liberating Europe from cultural genocide.” His plan is not the result of a single act, but a combination of acts carried out by small groups of individuals.

In the aftermath of the shootings in Norway, some people have wondered if the game Anders Breivik played had anything to do with the events in the city. Breivik’s account was registered on January 18, 2010, and he played the game for about ten hours per month for one year. He also practiced shooting at a pistol club. Such figures should be taken lightly, however, since Breivik has a tendency to exaggerate.

Anti-Jihadist ideology

Anders Breivik, a Norwegian man accused of the deadly attack in Norway, had read anti-jihad websites and joined discussion boards. He absorbed the anti-Islamic ideologies of a small group of American bloggers, including Jihad Watch blogger Robert Spencer and Gates of Vienna blogger Daniel Hannan. Breivik also cited a blog by the pseudonymous Bat Ye’or that claimed European leaders had secretly capitulated to the Islamic world in exchange for oil. Anders Breivik’s anti-jihadist ideology in World of Warcraft was similar to these philosophies, but they were not the same.

Anders Breivik’s anti-Islamist ideology in the game reflects the author’s idealized worldview. While he was a committed Christian, he argued that he had an imaginary friend in the Jewish world who was a safe haven for non-Muslims. Breivik’s anti-immigrant ideas were not too dissimilar to those in mainstream European politics. The Populist Party is Norway’s second-largest political party.

Game addiction

The media has focused on Anders Breivik’s game addiction as a cause of his tragic murders in Norway. He was a popular video game player, who spent up to 16 hours a day on his favorite games. While his friends remarked that he was a “fantastic” gamer, he was unable to distinguish between reality and games. As a result, the game was a source of escapism, allowing Breivik to become increasingly violent.

Despite his appearance, Breivik’s life seemed to be a series of miserable failures. His friends suspected he was homosexual. He was a pudgy loser with blond, sweaty hair. His life was a sad and elaborate book of his miserable failures. He displayed enormous narcissism and resentment. While the media and his fellow victims have expressed their dismay, his game addiction is the real cause of his tragic crime.

Templar network

Anders Breivik started his fake diploma business in 2003 and made a profit for four years. During his free time, Breivik was absorbed by World of Warcraft and became obsessed with reaching the Justicar rank. He bought 36 items from eight different countries, including a Knight’s Templar uniform. According to Torrissen and Aspaas, Breivik’s antisocial behavior had already been developed during this time.

During the trial, Anders Breivik was questioned about his life before the attacks. He allegedly joined the anti-Muslim “Knights Templar” network and claimed to have killed 77 people, but prosecutors believe that this network is not real. Breivik also played the online game World of Warcraft extensively before the attacks. While he was being questioned by prosecutors, he seemed to smile throughout the trial.

Templar uniform

Anders Breivik, the Norwegian national responsible for the recent shootings, was a fan of World of Warcraft and the popular TV show Blood Ties. He also claimed he was friends with the owner of a leading Norwegian online site for casual sexual encounters. While these activities may seem criminal, they do not make him a fundamentalist Christian, as many people assume.

While Breivik’s own uniform is not particularly unique to World of Warcraft, it is certainly reminiscent of the Templars from ancient history. The name evokes the mystical, esoteric character of the original Templars. In addition, the historical Templars have a symbolically significant counterpoint to terrorist organizations like Al Qaeda. But the use of the name by Breivik might be a tactic to gain legitimacy as a moral group.

Relationship to Modern Warfare 2

The relationship between violent video games and mass shootings isn’t new. Anders Breivik, the gunman behind the devastating 2011 massacre in Norway, wrote in his manifesto that he played World of Warcraft on his bedroom computer. The same was true of his friend Tristan van der Vlis, a Dutch gamer who pleaded guilty to the Alphen aan den Rijn shooting in the Netherlands.

Anders Breivik’s Facebook page lists that he played both games in the weeks before his attack on Oslo. His profile describes himself as a Christian conservative, who enjoys hunting and playing World of Warcraft and Modern Warfare 2. Breivik also lists political and stock analysis as an interest. In the days following the tragedy, Breivik admitted playing video games for 16 hours a day.