China Finally Gives the Lich King the Thumbs-Up

[John Funk]

China Finally Gives the Lich King the Thumbs-Up

As the rest of the world of Warcraft prepares for the Cataclysm, Chinese officials have finally approved Wrath of the Lich King.

The second expansion to Blizzard's mega-MMOG World of Warcraft has been out for close to two years at this point, but the journey has been rougher for some players than others - particularly those in China. Last year, the Chinese government finally allowed to relaunch [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/90087-China-Blocks-WoW-Lich-King-Release] last July, but was kept in a hamstrung beta-esque state.

Of course, none of that stopped the most hardcore WoW players, who simply rolled characters on Taiwanese servers - and would go on to chalk up some world-first raid boss kills.

Now, China's Ministry of Culture (MoC) has finally given its full and official approval [http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fccnt.cstc.org.cn%2Fgamepage.do%3Fgamesign%3Dgameallnumber&sl=zh-CN&tl=en] for Blizzard and its local partner NetEase to wholly resume operations, following a thumbs-up from the General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP) last month. The conflict between these two entities had been at the core of the delay: Blizzard found Lich King embroiled in in-fighting between the MoC and the GAPP regarding which of them had the authority to give foreign games the go-ahead.

Congratulations to the Chinese government for catching up on PC gaming with the rest of the world. May I suggest you get a head start on approving Cataclysm this time around?

(GamePolitics [http://gamepolitics.com/2010/08/10/china-lich-king-approved-ea-mulling-investment])

Permalink

 

[Subzerowings]

Banning games?
That sucks.
I didn't know it wasen't allowed in China.
Oh well, I'm glad that the Chinese WoW-players can get their hands on it now.

 

[Upbeat Zombie]

Why is the Chinese government so paranoid about stupid things like this?

 

[Ldude893]

Why is the Chinese government so paranoid about stupid things like this?

They don't want their youth to be corrupted by images of sorcery and violence.

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

The Ministry of Culture? Feels ominous.

 

[therandombear]

Didn't know they almost banned Wotlk, they listed the reasons or did they do as they usually do? Say they don't want games from facist socialist pigs?

 

[KeyMaster45]

Jebus it's about damn time, despite how every time I hear the word "China" my mind immediately jumps to "Those damned gold sellers" I'm glad to finally hear the Chinese government got the stick out of their butt and let them play their games.

I was starting to worry that the below picture might hold some truth in it.

Spoiler: Possibly offensive picture (its not dirty) you view at your own risk of getting angry

 

[manythings]

The game being approved by communism is a good thing? I'm pretty sure that if communists are all for it you should immediately back away and call for a demo team.

 

[uppitycracker]

wonder what they're gonna do about all the bones in the game. for those that don't know, one of the biggest issues with WoW being published in china was the use of bones, which is prohibited to display there due to their beliefs or something like that. and WotLK certainly has it's fair share of bones...

 

[Denamic]

wonder what they're gonna do about all the bones in the game. for those that don't know, one of the biggest issues with WoW being published in china was the use of bones, which is prohibited to display there due to their beliefs or something like that. and WotLK certainly has it's fair share of bones...

The floors in Icecrown Citadel are MADE out of bones.
Not to mention that there's a million raid bosses that all bones too.
Like KT and his pet frost wyrm, Lord Marrowloot, Lady Deathwillnotshutup, Sindragosa, etc..

 

[04whim]

I imagine these offices are something along the lines of this at current:
MoC & GAPP: "Well, thank God we finally got that out of the way"
Blizzard: "We've got another one coming at the end of the year"
All of China: FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-

 

[Tourette]

About time. The Chinese government need to take a chill pill and start treating it's people a bit better. China is a beautiful country with really nice people.

 

[TsunamiWombat]

Why is the Chinese government so paranoid about stupid things like this?

They don't want their youth to be corrupted by images of sorcery and violence.

Also this "freedom" thing troubles then. Adventurers in Lordaeron are suspiciously not tied to the same farms they have been for centuries.

 

[InnerRebellion]

Oh, China, you silly little bastard. Why must you be afraid of our games?

 

[KeyMaster45]

The game being approved by communism is a good thing? I'm pretty sure that if communists are all for it you should immediately back away and call for a demo team.

Because, as everyone knows, The Republic of China is a truely communist state and pays much homage to the teachings of Karl Marx. /Irony. How about you do some research on what communism really is before flaming it?

But anyway, its China, im kinda surprised they gave it thumbs up at all. Gamers in China are in a worse situation than gamers in Germany, and thats saying something.

I didn't think anyone in China would have time to play it between working 5 to 9 at the shoe factory and NOT having children. I kid but that's why Chinese players have it worse off. If this game really WAS endorsed by an actual communist regime, instead of a clepto-Military oligarchy, than I would buy it without question.

Endorse? Dude all they did was give it the thumbs up to do business there, its the same as passing for rating qualifications in other countries.(just slightly more psychotic) I say troll harder imo.

I also imagine if you haven't bought it by now you've done so for reasons other than China plays it.

 

[Jared]

I am sure the gilsellers are all finally happy...seriously though, China needs to take a few steps back in terms of civil liberties...