China Blocks WoW: Lich King Release

[Ardwyn]

I wonder if they get to play GTA if they aren't even allowed to see skeletons because they may be "promoting religion" so it is "anti-government". GTA is completely anti-establishment period. If they can play GTA and not an unedited WoW then Chinese government are just playing favorites lol

 

[Enfid]

It's not exactly for no reason. You just have to examine the politics behind it.

The Chinese gov. is avowedly atheist, as is a common feature in communist governments, as communists tend to believe that religion often serves to keep the masses pacified, and thus unaware that they are being short-shifted on the whole wealth thing. So when it comes to censorship, they block anything that relates to pre-communist Chinese beliefs, which focused around the ancestors. No one can deny that skeletons are remains of people who once lived, so they could easily be considered a symbol ancestors. In a Chinese context, one could potentially read a game prominently featuring animated skeletons having influence in the real world as propagating this belief (or as the Chinese gov. likes to call it "superstition") in the ancestors. Thus the denial, as such a game would have a pro-religion (and thus anti-government) stance, however accidental.

This seem to make the most sense....

I found the idea about the communist government not promoting religion because it is a tool to keep the mass pacified a real oxymoron.

However, since most skeletons are our enemies and we have to bash/slash/cleave/nuke/stomp/etc them, how can destroying your ancestors promote pro-ancestral (pre-communism) ideas?

For a moment I thought it just have to do with the opposite of the general belief: that destroying skeletons are disrespectful of your ancestors. But they don't censor zombies....so....

Doesn't anybody have a Chinese friend whom they may ask about this?

 

[Canazza]

I found the idea about the communist government not promoting religion because it is a tool to keep the mass pacified a real oxymoron.

It's the promotion of free religion. AFAIK China has their own State religion, which they allow people to preach so long as it doesn't offend the establishment. If it's not state, it gets pressured, and if they don't bow under the pressure they break them. I've met a few Chinese people (mainly students) whos family basically fled China because of what they believe.

China has a serious problem with anything that promotes either free thinking or thinking of the past.

 

[Andy Chalk]

The same thing happened with The Burning Crusade expansion. The9 had to make numerous changes before it was approved, including adding flesh to skeletal undead. China also refused to let Blizzard register StarCraft: Ghost as an "e-sports brand" because the presence of the word "ghost" violates "socialist morality" and promotes "feudal superstition."

 

[SenseOfTumour]

Hooray! More anti-Chinese sentiments! Nevertheless, I had trouble keeping a straight face after reading it.

To be fair its more anti Chinese Government sentiments, to go with all the anti UK/Europe/USA/Aussie Government sentiments

Essentially they just care too much, and we just need them to protect us from the scary things in life!

 

[jamesworkshop]

I never would have thought that skeletons in a game would have been a problem

because they have "boners" geddit

 

[Nohra]

Hey, maybe this means the gold farmers are finally fucked.

 

[solidstatemind]

Hey, maybe this means the gold farmers are finally fucked.

Not a chance. Just because they can't take their characters there doesn't mean they can't mail your gold purchase to Northrend.

 

[starbuck1771]

For whatever reason, it seems that China simply doesn't like skeletons in their games

Perhaps it's because they already have so many in their collective closets.

I guess no chinese undead players then.

as for skele's in the closet their cyber spy ring has been busted wide open.

also less chinese in the game means less gold spammers.

 

[Sneaky Paladin]

who will farm the gold now!?!?!?!?

dont play but that is bullshit either way freaking skeletons arent a cause for a ban its a cause for nothing at all whatsoever.

EDIT: shit I just noticed the joke was done before should have read before I posted

 

[The Great JT]

Let's not forget that China made WoW put flesh on the Forsaken and Abomination models.

I wouldn't mind that option myself if I had a Forsaken character. At least then the spine wouldn't deter me from playing the race.

 

[Doug]

My theory on why they don't want city raids: It might inspire the good Chineese citizens to rise up and overthrow the government, they could do it you know.

Sadly, they wouldn't, as they'd be too busy playing WoW - "Just one more level, and then I'll depose the Communist party!"

Anywho, people vs tanks was tried by Chinese students wanting reforms...didn't go so well.

 

[Tech Team FTW!]

Good to see the Democracy part of "Chinese Democracy" is still a live and well...

Edit:

Pure unabashed crazy. It's a wonder their censorship board members can dress themselves in the morning.

You should see the state of game censorship in Australia. They don't even have an excuse to be Communist...

 

[mark0217]

But they have no problem with Culling of Strathholme where you "crusade" through the city slaughtering innocent civilians who end up becoming scourge anyway?

...this question answers itself THEY'RE DESTROYING A CITY FILLED WITH BLOATED CAPITALISTS!

 

[antipunt]

Things like this periodically remind me that the concept of 'freedom 'in the 'west' is not worldwide

 

[Schnippshly]

Man, if I was Chinese or thought World of Warcraft was even slightly good, I might actually care.

 

[Moriarty]

For whatever reason, it seems that China simply doesn't like skeletons in their games

Perhaps it's because they already have so many in their collective closets.

I guess no chinese undead players then.

the undead player race looks a bit different, google "chinese wow undead" or something. Blizzard actually changed every sleketon in the game to look "fleshy"

 

[Bernzz]

Good to see the Democracy part of "Chinese Democracy" is still a live and well...

Edit:

Pure unabashed crazy. It's a wonder their censorship board members can dress themselves in the morning.

You should see the state of game censorship in Australia. They don't even have an excuse to be Communist...

Ruddkipz (Kevin Rudd) is all close with the Chinese (last time I payed attention to politics he was anyway) so maybe they're easing us into communism.