Guild leader wins Oscar
by Mike Schramm 
Feb 23rd 2009 at 4:00PM
I didn't have any interest in watching the Oscars last night (so no, I didn't get to see Wolverine singing and dancing), but there was one piece of WoW-related news to come out of the big event. Steve Preeg is a visual effects artist who's worked on films like the Lord of the Rings trilogy and I, Robot, and last night, he won an Oscar for his team's work on The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. And that's not his only achievement: he's also done everything but Sarth 3D with the guild he leads.Yup, we've heard from one of his guildies that Preeg is a guild leader in the game -- he plays a Combat Rogue with 450 Enchanting and Inscription, and runs a progression guild that's downed everything but the big black dragon and his three companions. he's even done all of the holiday events so far (though he's rolling with the "Champion of the Frozen Wastes" title).
So he's picked up some excellent loot, both in and out of game (Oscars are epic at least -- the drop rate is pretty low). Congrats to Preeg and his team on the Oscar, and to his guild, good luck with Sarth 3D. Maybe if Anne Hathaway showed up for that you'd have him down by now.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Fan stuff, Virtual selves, Odds and ends, Instances, Raiding, Achievements
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
vern Feb 23rd 2009 4:12PM
coooool !!!
Gratz to that guy.
So clear proof that a wow commintment isn't incompatible with a professional success !!
Bravo !!!
Andrew Feb 23rd 2009 4:14PM
Which presenter dropped the Oscar? I need to know who to farm.
Congratulations, too!
Vandar Feb 23rd 2009 4:18PM
Wow that's quite a feat juggling a demanding full time job as well as setting aside a decent about of spare time to devote to WoW.
BulletzBill Feb 23rd 2009 4:37PM
Lots of us do it, and not to mention while juggling time with a significant other as well. :-)
Candina@WH Feb 23rd 2009 4:33PM
I actually think that Oscar fall under the category of 'heirloom, bind to account'.
I mean,
1.) It only drops once a year.
2.) It only drops one token per class per year.
So, bravo and Bravo!.
Joey Joe Joe Jr. Shabadoo Feb 23rd 2009 4:35PM
Thats really neat news. Its funny, having "The Twilight Zone" achievement sort of grants you a spot in any guild you want, just like an Oscar can sort of grant you a spot in any role you want.
garfunkel Feb 23rd 2009 4:34PM
that's pretty amazing by anyone's standards
congratulations!
i picture a wall shelf over top a dual monitor set-up with a nice selection of DC figures, you know a Troll priest, a warrior, BE pally then a bright gold Oscar right in the middle :)
Eric Feb 23rd 2009 4:44PM
< skeptical >
Out of curiosity how do we know this guy runs a guild? Was that something he announced or did someone just say "Hey my guild leader won an Oscar". I don't watch award ceremonies since they are really boring, but I do find that this seems like just a wild claim. Like if I sent a tip in that Barack Obama is actually my guild leader, and he plays an 80 Fury Warrior and digs casual play.
< / skeptical >
I do like his work, I like what he did in the older movies and I've yet to see Curious Case.
Dightkuz Feb 23rd 2009 5:29PM
Because Obama doesnt look like the average gamer, Preeg does.
DUH!
Eric Feb 23rd 2009 5:49PM
Stereotypes o.0
Off topic:
What is the sick fascination with celebrities (this guy isn't really a celebrity). I mean this guy did really good work, he got a reward for it and he plays WoW.
Why does he deserve any notice at all?
He plays WoW. So do 10.999999 million other people.
I think we need to take a post on the net to recognize me, since I play WoW, and I go to school and get good grades (I made the deans list with a 4.0 last semester!) , and have done all of the holiday achievements and do progress with my guild in ten man. And I do my job well.
I'm just a guy, so is that dude. Although his job is slightly more interesting, and it effects people who enjoy his movies.
/end offtopic rant
Is there really a typical gamer for WoW?
In my guild we have an archer, a programmer, a paramedic, a highschool student, an elementry school (maybe middleschool / jr high) student, someone who appears to be unemployed or just manages time better, several college students with varying degrees and more.
So to make sense of it all, even if Preeg looks like he might be a gamer, I'm still suspicious :P
zaababy Feb 23rd 2009 4:45PM
Well farout. This is actually really neat. Can you imagine what computer setup he must have!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dave Feb 23rd 2009 4:45PM
I won an emmy.
It's neat, but if you're part of a larger group it's not nearly as impressive as it seems on the surface. :P (and definitely doesn't hurt with your next job but it sure doesn't guarantee anything)
Sedna Feb 23rd 2009 5:33PM
I think this falls in the category of "awesome if true". Unless the WoWInsider folks have some method of independent confirmation beyond one person's word...
If it is true, big grats to Preeg and the other winners! Does the Oscar count as an Arena trinket?
Sedna Feb 23rd 2009 10:23PM
Hot damn, looks like it's for reals! Congrats!
Kemikalkadet Feb 23rd 2009 5:43PM
Did he get a feat of strength achievement for it?
Caelys Feb 23rd 2009 6:08PM
WoWInsider isn't fabricating this - yes it's true.
I use to be in the guild on Stormscale-US, and I remember being in a Kara run when I was told he just finished the VFX work on a movie called "Something something Benjamin Button." (His voice is incredibly low, and over vent I could barely understand him. I realize now it was "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.") This was at least 8 or so months ago. He hadn't been playing for a pretty long time because of all the work he was putting into the movie (and for good reason!).
The only thing that WoWInsider has wrong is that he's not the guild leader any more - it's been passed to someone else. He was leader for quite a while though.
The guild is super excited about it, and have every reason to be. :)
Also @Eric - He may just be some guy to you, but to those of us who know him, he IS a celebrity. Someone from OUR server, from OUR guild, from OUR friends list won a seriously MAJOR award. I'm sure your family and friends would be equally excited if you got something like this, so don't rain on our parade. :)
profglitch Feb 23rd 2009 6:27PM
nonono, dont you see the orange color of the oscar?
LEGENDARY
Bobby Feb 23rd 2009 6:52PM
Yes it is true i am a guildie of his and the guild was passed to a druid (Vurtog) but the entire guild was happy my 10 man freaked out on vent when he went on stage!
buckpinne Feb 23rd 2009 7:09PM
Here's a real cool shortinterview given by Steve Preeg regarding the CG effects in the "Benjamin Button" movie.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lee-stranahan/watch-the-amazing-effects_b_158834.html
Cool, Cool, stuff.
Congrats Mr. Preeg!
Bruja Feb 23rd 2009 8:52PM
Pretty sure Oscars are Legendary!
Here's his armory.
http://www.wowarmory.com/character-sheet.xml?r=Stormscale&n=Ramases
Grats, man!