Rumor: China's ethics board reviews 20 popular online games, bans 9

#1

Post by throwaway2048 » Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 7:01 AM UTC

Rumor: China's ethics board reviews 20 popular online games, bans 9
resetera.com

Re: Rumor: China's ethics board reviews 20 popular online games, bans 9

#2

Post by realusername » Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 7:33 AM UTC

It's probably all bullshit reasons as usual with the CCCP to let their local market to compete with local stuff.

> Fortnite by Epic Games/Tencent (Blood and gore, vulgar content.)

This has to be the most ridiculous reason, Fortnite banned for blood and gore? It's just a cartoon game.

Re: Rumor: China's ethics board reviews 20 popular online games, bans 9

#3

Post by throwaway2048 » Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 7:35 AM UTC

realusername wrote: post #2

It's probably all bullshit reasons as usual with the CCCP to let their local market to compete with local stuff. > Fortnite by Epic Games/Tencent (Blood and gore, vulgar content.) This has to be the most ridiculous reason, Fortnite banned for blood and gore? It's just a cartoon game.

Should be noted Tencent is a Chinese company, several of their games appear on this list.

Re: Rumor: China's ethics board reviews 20 popular online games, bans 9

#4

Post by sbhn » Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 7:35 AM UTC

In UK they use the PEGI rating system for games that influences the design process. They also have OFCOM, ICO, HMRC and even more. Chinese companies cant sell games in the UK without complying with all the laws. Sounds like another case of dictator knows what dictator does. Perhaps china is retaliating for canada locking up a huawei executive for violating US sanctions on iran, or maybe china is exercising its import customs rights just like the heavy handed customs enforcment as demonstrated by the US and the UK

Re: Rumor: China's ethics board reviews 20 popular online games, bans 9

#5

Post by realusername » Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 7:37 AM UTC

throwaway2048 wrote: post #3

realusername wrote: post #2

It's probably all bullshit reasons as usual with the CCCP to let their local market to compete with local stuff. > Fortnite by Epic Games/Tencent (Blood and gore, vulgar content.) This has to be the most ridiculous reason, Fortnite banned for blood and gore? It's just a cartoon game.

Should be noted Tencent is a Chinese company, several of their games appear on this list.

I'm pretty sure they will give Tencent's games a way to comply by changing some petty stuff and keep the others banned.

Re: Rumor: China's ethics board reviews 20 popular online games, bans 9

#6

Post by duchenne » Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 7:39 AM UTC

realusername wrote: post #2

It's probably all bullshit reasons as usual with the CCCP to let their local market to compete with local stuff. > Fortnite by Epic Games/Tencent (Blood and gore, vulgar content.) This has to be the most ridiculous reason, Fortnite banned for blood and gore? It's just a cartoon game.

It is probably a mistranslation, they obviously mean that the "battle royale" theme is too violent: a bunch of strangers are gathered and have to kill each other until the last one.

Personally, I enjoy that kind of games, but the fact that they display smiling cartoon characters killing each others can make some people even more uncomfortable.

On steam, a game where you play a school shooter was recently banned. Can cartoon graphics and absence of blood make a school shooter acceptable?

Re: Rumor: China's ethics board reviews 20 popular online games, bans 9

#7

Post by toine_toine » Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 7:41 AM UTC

throwaway2048 wrote: post #3

realusername wrote: post #2

It's probably all bullshit reasons as usual with the CCCP to let their local market to compete with local stuff. > Fortnite by Epic Games/Tencent (Blood and gore, vulgar content.) This has to be the most ridiculous reason, Fortnite banned for blood and gore? It's just a cartoon game.

Should be noted Tencent is a Chinese company, several of their games appear on this list.

Including the mobile version of PUBG (it was created completely in-house by Tencent).

Re: Rumor: China's ethics board reviews 20 popular online games, bans 9

#8

Post by throwaway2048 » Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 7:41 AM UTC

Its likely somewhat obvious but "Harmonizing" and "inharmonious" are Chinese Government euphemisms for censorship and banned political speech.

Re: Rumor: China's ethics board reviews 20 popular online games, bans 9

#9

Post by throwawaysea » Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 7:42 AM UTC

If the post is accurate as a translation/source, I doubt those stated reasons are the true motivations, since citing 'blood and gore' for Fortnite seems absurd.

I speculate it is more likely a way to carefully manipulate the competitive landscape for a highly-lucrative industry (gaming), so as to favor local companies (and yes, I see Tencent is impacted). This should really be brought up in the on-going trade negotiations.

Re: Rumor: China's ethics board reviews 20 popular online games, bans 9

#10

Post by zabana » Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 7:42 AM UTC

[Off-topic] - What's with all the "China is evil" articles lately ? Are there any websites (non-chinese) where I can find news about positive advancements in the country ? This whole anti-China hype train got me intrigued.