Marvel Rivals, the new hero shooter from NetEase, has quickly gained popularity with over 20 million active players. Despite a successful launch, the game has come under scrutiny due to its censorship of certain words and phrases in the in-game chat. High-profile streamers like AsmonGold have pointed out that harmless terms, such as "Winnie the Pooh," "Free Taiwan," and references to the Tiananmen Square Massacre, are banned, causing confusion among players.
The Cause of the Censorship
The censorship appears to stem from the game's connection to its Chinese developer, NetEase. As a Chinese company, NetEase is required to adhere to China's strict censorship policies, which are enforced by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Many of the banned terms are politically sensitive in China, including references to Taiwan, Tibet, and Hong Kong, all of which are not recognized by the CCP as independent states. The term "Wuhan Virus," referring to the COVID-19 origins, and "Tiananmen Square" also tie back to politically charged topics that the CCP seeks to suppress.
Why Is Winnie the Pooh Banned?
Perhaps the most surprising of the banned terms is "Winnie the Pooh." In China, the bear character became a symbol of political dissent after comparisons were drawn between Pooh and Xi Jinping, the country's leader. This led to a widespread censorship of the character across Chinese media, even in international games like Marvel Rivals.
What Does This Mean for Marvel Rivals?
While the censorship may seem unusual to many players, it’s not uncommon for Chinese-developed games to follow such guidelines. Companies like Blizzard have also censored content for the Chinese market in the past. For NetEase, complying with these censorship requirements is legally mandatory to avoid potential penalties. While this might not affect the overall gameplay experience, it does raise questions about free speech in global video games.
Ultimately, while the censorship may continue, Marvel Rivals remains a popular and engaging game for millions of players worldwide. Fans can still enjoy the game’s content, though they may not be able to freely discuss certain sensitive topics in the in-game chat.
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