Usually, we here at Destructoid take game censorship very seriously. Sometimes, however, there are such hilariously pathetic examples of it that all one can do is laugh. China is about as 'nanny state' as you can get, but this is ridiculous. For some reason, Chinese authorities have decided that skeletons in World of Warcraft are a threat to their communist utopia and as such, issued a decree that all bones are to be covered with flesh. That's right -- skeletons with skins on, the ultimate paradox. Not only that, but corpses in the game are to be replaced with graves. This is because dead bodies in Warcraft are harmful to the minds of Asians ... somehow.
China's führer -- sorry, president -- Hu Jintao claims that he wishes to "purify" the Internet in order to promote what he deems a "harmonious society." Throwing terms like that around is pretty damn scary, but the worrying Big Brother ideals are somewhat undermined by the idea that this supposed purity and harmony is going to be achieved by hiding all the pretend skeletons on the internet. Naturally, WoW fans in China aren't happy that their TORRID SKELETAL NUDITY is going to be taken away from them, but what can they do, short of getting out of that awful country? Remember the lesson to be gleaned from all this, kids: In China, the Internet really is serious business.
[Via Kotaku]
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
4:49 PM on 07.07.2007
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FUCK china.
The weird thing is that lately China's economy has been booming because the govt has backed off and allowed more of a free trade system, so why the constant internet censoring?..Man I would hate living there.
A game...that will not come.
China is hilarious.
*scurries away to escape the anti-pun backlash*
What?!?!
wow?
"We decided to alter the Organ Grinder art in 'post' for two reasons. The main reason is that we sell our product in China and they have requested that we do not show skeletons in our art. It is considered very disrespectful to show human skeletons in their culture."
If it's a cultural thing, why are Chinese WoW players getting upset over the change? This is a decision the Chinese government is making (and has been making for a while, as you said), not the gamers. When the government decides what can or can't be seen by the people, that's censorship.
Last time a buncha kids got ran over by tanks.
I disagree with all types of censorship but it seams like the British, and the rest of the world for that mater, have grown tired of their freedom.
Non of the above probably makes any sense, im tired its 3:20 am
They may as well stop the whole thing, as i think they would have to take out the forsaken, as well as the scourge.
Bye-bye plot. (for chinese)
"John Spartan you have been fined 200 credits for a violation of the verbal morality act"
Ban all games, China! ...Except The Sims... Oh, Wait! Sexually Explicit! Fuck You Chinese, no more games for you! Save your time to praise your dictators!
There is enough out there to criticize China censorship-wise: this is just retarded and a poor example of somebody not doing 1 minute of research. Can I bury as Inaccurate or Lame?
As for the economy thing, someone said most of the population are poor, yes, but that has NO reflection on the country's wealth, if it did then it would be real communism instead of the dictatorship masquerading as such they actually have. The country is loaded and getting richer, but almost none of that money is passed on to the people, it's all taken abroad or kept by the government. As bad as Britain and America are, it would be hell to live in China.
Also, Pacman ate ghosts not flesh! Though that's probably offensive in China, you have to respect your dead elders, not eat them.
this is just bullox on so many levels
I noticed no one pointed out that they said no to skeletons, but the blood (Yes, there is blood in WoW) is okay. Still sounds cultural to me considering that.