Blizzard Entertainment today unveiled a giant bronze statue of Arthas in Taichung, Taiwan. The statue depicts the Lich King Arthas Menethil, an iconic character from the company’s Warcraft game universe and games like World of Warcraft® and Heroes of the Storm®, and is located on the Calligraphy Greenway, a cultural and artistic hub designed around the concepts of innovation, sustainability, recreation, and entertainment.
The Arthas statue was unveiled by Michael Fong, Regional Managing Director & Vice President of Publishing for Asia and Phillip Hillenbrand, Jr., Director of Production, Animation & Development at Blizzard Entertainment, and Lin Chia-Lung, the mayor of Taichung City. Designed by Taiwanese artist Steven Wang, the statue represents how important fantasy and fun are to Blizzard Entertainment and the gaming community in Taiwan and across Asia.
The Asian gaming market has been a key part of Blizzard Entertainment’s success throughout its 25-year history, and the company chose central Taiwan as the location for its only bronze statue in Asia because of the city’s blooming international tourism and accessibility. The company worked closely with the government of Taichung to help create a cultural landmark that would serve as a unique destination for residents and visitors.
“We are thrilled to see the unveiling of the Arthas statue, and we appreciate this unique opportunity to bring an element of fantasy to the city of Taichung,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “The Arthas statue doesn’t just celebrate Blizzard’s 25th birthday—it also shows our appreciation to the community of gamers in Taiwan and across Asia.”
Taichung has established a reputation as a city known for its natural environments and rich cultural history. “We believe that the statue of Arthas will bring a new surge of tourists and become a popular destination for visiting gamers from all around the world. Meanwhile, the unique, vibrant culture of Taichung will offer every visitor remarkable memories,” said Lin Chia-Lung, mayor of Taichung City.
