What words does Genshin censor?

What Words Does Genshin Censor?

Genshin Impact, a popular free-to-play role-playing game, has been making headlines for its censorship practices. The game, developed by miHoYo, is available globally, but its in-game chat function has been found to censor certain words and phrases. In this article, we will explore the words that Genshin Impact censors and why.

Taiwan and Hong Kong: The First Victims

The most notable examples of Genshin Impact’s censorship are the words "Taiwan" and "Hong Kong". These two words are commonly used to refer to the special administrative regions of China, but they are also sensitive topics in China’s political landscape. The game’s developers have taken the decision to censor these words, replacing them with asterisks (*) in the in-game chat function.

Why the Censorship?

The reason for this censorship is clear: China’s government has strict laws and regulations regarding the use of certain words and phrases. The country’s internet regulations, known as the "Golden Shield Project", aim to prevent the spread of information that is deemed harmful or offensive to the government. Genshin Impact, being a Chinese-developed game, is subject to these regulations and has chosen to censor the words "Taiwan" and "Hong Kong" to avoid any potential repercussions.

Other Censored Words

While "Taiwan" and "Hong Kong" are the most well-known examples of Genshin Impact’s censorship, the game also censors other words and phrases. These include:

• Tibet: Like Taiwan and Hong Kong, Tibet is a sensitive topic in China’s political landscape. The game censors any references to Tibet, replacing them with asterisks (*).
• Uyghur: The Uyghur people are a minority ethnic group in China, and any references to them are censored in the game.
• Falun Gong: Falun Gong is a spiritual movement that is banned in China. Any references to it are censored in the game.

Consequences of Censorship

Genshin Impact’s censorship has raised concerns among gamers and freedom of speech advocates. The game’s decision to censor certain words and phrases has been seen as a restriction on free speech and a compromise on artistic expression. Additionally, the censorship has led to accusations of hypocrisy, as the game is available globally, but only censors certain words and phrases.

Conclusion

Genshin Impact’s censorship of certain words and phrases is a complex issue that raises important questions about free speech, artistic expression, and cultural sensitivity. While the game’s developers may have taken the decision to censor these words to avoid any potential repercussions in China, the consequences of this censorship are far-reaching and have implications for gamers and freedom of speech advocates around the world.

Table: Censored Words and Phrases in Genshin Impact

References

• "Genshin Impact Censors Taiwan and Hong Kong in In-Game Chat" by Vintageisthenewold
• "Genshin Impact’s Censorship of Taiwan and Hong Kong Raises Concerns" by Gamesindustry.biz
• "Why is TikTok Banned in China?" by Independent.co.uk