Jimothy the Viral Raccoon Joins WoW as an Earnable Pet

Every once in a while the internet agrees on something, and right now that something is a raccoon named Jimothy. According to GameSpot, the Seattle raccoon who went viral thanks to his distinctive shortened torso — the result of a unique spinal condition — is being immortalized as an earnable companion pet in World of Warcraft.

Why this is the best kind of gaming news

I’ll be honest: this story made my whole week. Games are at their best when they leave room for genuine, unforced whimsy, and turning a real-world animal celebrity into an in-game companion is exactly that. It’s also a reminder of what made WoW’s battle pet system such an enduring hit in the first place — it’s a collection game about joy, not power.

The detail I appreciate most: Jimothy will reportedly be earnable, not a cash-shop exclusive. Rewarding players with charm instead of charging for it is the right call, and Blizzard deserves credit for reading the moment correctly.

Quick facts

• Who: Jimothy, Seattle’s short-spined viral raccoon
• What: an earnable companion (battle) pet in World of Warcraft
• Why he’s famous: locals’ photos and videos of his daily adventures charmed the entire internet

Should you care?

• Definitely if: you’re a WoW pet collector — this one is destined to be a conversation piece in every city hub for months.
• Also yes if: you lapsed on WoW and want a low-stakes reason to log in. Chasing a novelty pet is the classic “one more week” hook, and this is a wholesome one.

The verdict

In a news cycle full of price hikes and delays, a stumpy raccoon getting his own video game cameo is the palate cleanser we all needed. May his in-game waddle be exactly as majestic as the real thing.

Related: Free games to play this weekend · Project Zomboid’s major Kentucky map update · More gaming news and guides

Source: GameSpot · Destructoid