Black Myth: Wukong Caught in a Storm of Censorship
The recent controversy surrounding the popular Chinese video game, Black Myth: Wukong, has taken a new turn. The game's official marketing team has been accused of censorship, with an email allegedly sent to content creators banning the inclusion of "feminist propaganda" and the use of certain "trigger words" such as COVID-19.
22 August 2024
This news has sparked outrage among the gaming community, with many taking to social media to express their disappointment and frustration. On Weibo, a popular Chinese social media platform, users have been sharing their thoughts and opinions on the matter. One user, @玄师随笔, wrote, "Going back to the original intention, isn't seeing one's nature and achieving equality the ultimate goal? Why is it that even after transcending the mortal world and achieving the title of the Great Sage, one is still bound by the chains of ranks and titles?"
Others have criticized the game's marketing team for their handling of the situation. @穆婷婷, a popular streamer, responded to the controversy, saying, "I'm not sure what kind of effect the marketing team is trying to achieve with this move, but it's clear that they're not interested in listening to the feedback of the gaming community."
The email, which was reported by IGN, also offered content creators Steam keys for the game, but with the explicit condition that they would not include any "feminist propaganda" or discuss COVID-19 in their content. This move has been seen as an attempt to silence any potential criticism of the game's handling of feminist issues and its approach to sensitive topics.
However, the move has backfired, with many content creators and gamers taking to social media to express their outrage and disappointment. On Weibo, the hashtag #黑神话悟空创作者激励 (Black Myth: Wukong content creators are discouraged) has been trending, with many users sharing their own thoughts and opinions on the matter.
The controversy has also sparked a wider debate about censorship and the role of marketing teams in shaping the narrative around video games. @马上谈, a popular gaming commentator, wrote, "This is a classic case of a marketing team overstepping their bounds. The question is, what kind of message are they trying to send to the gaming community?"
In related news, popular streamer Uzi's live stream of Black Myth: Wukong was shut down, reportedly due to "sensitive content". The exact nature of the content is unclear, but it is believed to be related to the game's handling of feminist issues. Uzi later responded to the incident, saying, "I think the moderator made a mistake, but it was a funny effect".
The controversy surrounding Black Myth: Wukong has also highlighted the challenges faced by content creators in China, who must navigate a complex landscape of censorship and sensitive topics. As @ Kullanici45 wrote, "As a content creator, it's hard to know what's allowed and what's not. Sometimes it feels like the rules are changing every day."
The incident has sparked a wider debate about the role of censorship in China's gaming industry and the impact it has on content creators and gamers alike. As the gaming industry continues to grow and evolve, it remains to be seen how these issues will be addressed and what the long-term implications will be for the gaming community in China.
