Why are so many games banned in China?
China has a long history of regulating and censoring online content, including games. The country’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the General Administration of Press and Publication are responsible for reviewing and approving games for release in China. Here are some reasons why so many games are banned in China:
Cultural and Historical Sensitivity
- Sensitivity towards Chinese culture and history: Games that depict China in a negative light, promote anti-Chinese sentiment, or disrespect Chinese cultural symbols, such as the national anthem or the Great Wall of China, are likely to be banned.
- Historical inaccuracies: Games that alter or misrepresent historical events, such as the Cultural Revolution or the Tiananmen Square protests, are also liable to be banned.
Violence and Gore
- Excessive violence and gore: Games that contain excessive violence, gore, or explicit content are generally banned in China.
- Gruesome executions: Games that feature explicit and gruesome executions, such as beheadings or dismemberments, are likely to be banned.
Anti-Communist and Anti-Government Propaganda
- Anti-communist and anti-government propaganda: Games that promote anti-communist or anti-government sentiments, such as promoting rebellion or insurrection, are banned in China.
- Insulting the government or its leaders: Games that insult or defame the Chinese government or its leaders are also prohibited.
Lack of Social Credit
- Lack of social credit: Games that do not comply with China’s social credit system, which aims to assess citizens’ behavior and social creditworthiness, may be banned.
Addiction and Social Impact
- Addiction risks: Games that are perceived to be highly addictive and may have negative social and psychological impacts on players, such as Tencent’s popular mobile game, Honor of Kings, are subject to increased scrutiny and regulation.
- Impact on minors: Games that are deemed to have a negative impact on minors, such as those that promote violent behavior or contain explicit content, are banned in China.
Recent Examples of Banned Games
| Game Name | Reason for Ban | Date of Ban |
|---|---|---|
| PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) | Depicts violent and gory content | 2017 |
| Fortnite | Includes anti-Chinese content | 2018 |
| League of Legends | Perceived to be highly addictive | 2019 |
Consequences of Not Complying with Censorship Rules
- Fines and Penalties: Companies that do not comply with censorship rules may face significant fines and penalties.
- Shut Down of Operations: In extreme cases, game developers may be forced to shut down their operations in China.
- Impact on Global Reputation: Not complying with censorship rules in China can also damage a company’s global reputation.
In conclusion, China has a complex and multifaceted approach to game censorship. While some games are banned due to cultural and historical sensitivity, others are banned due to excessive violence and gore, anti-communist and anti-government propaganda, lack of social credit, addiction risks, and impact on minors. Game developers that wish to operate in China must comply with the country’s censorship rules and regulations to avoid severe consequences.