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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsWoW China hit with more censorship upon relaunch
by Alex Ziebart 
Jul 30th 2009 at 8:00PM
Now that NetEase is in charge, they've had to make some changes to the game as well, though perhaps not as substantial. Potentially funnier, though. According to this Chinese website, severed heads and skulls have been covered up. Literally. Item icons that would show heads or skulls in other regions of the world are now bags, chests and crates in China. This includes things like Van Cleef's Head, and even spell icons like the ones used by Ruin and Improved Corruption have been replaced by bags.
It makes me curious if these edits include just the icons, or if they tried to justify them in the game world. Are you still looting VanCleef's Head (but placing it in a bag), or are you looting some of his personal effects of proof of the deed? It also makes me wish I had a Chinese account just to see what's all been changed this time around. Is it just spell icons? What's Icecrown going to look like? Did they need to make changes to any instances or raid zones?
It's always unfortunate when this sort of censorship happens, it's really not something you ever like to see, but I really can't help but be intrigued by the idea of the game world I'm playing in being so different for those in other parts of the world. If you happen to be reading us from China (or play on Chinese servers from elsewhere), we'd love to see any other screenshots you might have of what Azeroth looks like from your end.
[via Wowhead]
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Blizzard, News items
Reader Comments (Page 4 of 10)
Money Loo Jul 30th 2009 8:43PM
It might just be me, but I don't see a skull at all in the improved corruption icon. Also, aren't they missing the really obvious right underneath suppression? Improved drain soul has THREE times as many skulls.
Jason Jul 31st 2009 4:04AM
I noticed that, too. Maybe it's because they're not spewing forth blood and bile? O.o
Snuzzle Jul 31st 2009 4:56AM
I noticed that, as well. And I never saw a skull in the Corruption icon, I always saw a guy whose mouth was open supernaturally wide in an anguished scream.
balamoor Jul 30th 2009 8:43PM
It's ironic..china think the way we treat our children and our elderly , and the way our class system works makes us just as batshit crazy and just on this side of Evil, and we go apeshit because they don't want to show skulls. Culture differences are amusing
kharrah02 Jul 30th 2009 9:12PM
Its not culture when its involuntary enforcement. The Chinese people did not ASK for this censorship, it is FORCED on them.
The way people bring up their children is their business and no-one else. Its not comparable to forced censorship.
The way a culture treats its children and elderly is a CHOICE.
balamoor Jul 30th 2009 9:15PM
You get the government you want , no one is being forced to do anything the Chinese (well most of them) want and like their government, stop buying Fox news propaganda.
balamoor Jul 30th 2009 9:20PM
"Most Chinese in China are totally un-aware of the unknown rebel in Tienanmen square in 1989 due to the Chinese govt forcefully censoring things for example -> Google searches made on the topic."
Who told you that lie dude?
They are very aware of it I have a lot of Chinese friends we talk about this, The country by and large thought what the students did was disrespectful, I disagree with that but I didn't grow up in their country so my opinion on it means squat.
And I can give you just as many instances of our government censoring and spinning things god just watch the U.S, news and switch over to the BBC. People need to stop being so hypocritical of other governments when ours is just as bad if not worse.
Darky Jul 31st 2009 7:02AM
"Most Chinese in China are totally un-aware of the unknown rebel in Tienanmen square in 1989 due to the Chinese govt forcefully censoring things for example -> Google searches made on the topic."
Much like the lie saying the Japanese deny WWII and refuse its teaching in schools. except the general consensus of the youth is a "meh" issue.
Groth Jul 31st 2009 11:04AM
and like texan religious extremists trying to have evolution removed from school curriculums.
Kymali Jul 30th 2009 8:52PM
It's not as if the Western game isn't designed to get past the censors and achieve a 12+ rating rather than an 18.
So different cultures place different emphasis on what's acceptable in a game marketed for teenagers. As interesting as seeing what another culture feels is in need of censoring is trying to figure out what we're so used to not seeing that we forget its even an issue.
Serpent Flesh icon anyone?
kharrah02 Jul 30th 2009 9:12PM
Exactly the same applies here as my previous comment. Censorship is most often forced, and never given a query to the community on whether they actually want it.
I don't agree with censorship in ANY culture, i never asked for a politician or who ever it may be making the decision to decide what i am allowed to view.
Most Chinese in China are totally un-aware of the unknown rebel in Tienanmen square in 1989 due to the Chinese govt forcefully censoring things for example -> Google searches made on the topic.
Worcester Jul 30th 2009 8:53PM
I hear they also forced Blizzard to buff Thistle Tea in an effort to boost exports.
BlueDevil13X Jul 30th 2009 9:19PM
People keep talking about whether or not the community at large is consulted before censorship is imposed, but that isn't the real issue. Even if the vast majority of the community is in favor of censorship, it's still censorship and it's still wrong. John Stuart Mill FTW.
Dreadskull Jul 30th 2009 9:31PM
Fear the power of... BAGRUPTION!
micgillam Jul 31st 2009 12:29PM
Okay, that made me cringe, and cross my legs.
jbodar Aug 1st 2009 5:05AM
@micgiliam
Nerf Wall of Thigh!
amtapounca Jul 30th 2009 9:34PM
Censorship has nothing to do with cultural beliefs or views.
Also, in response to balamoor's statement of "You get the government you want , no one is being forced to do anything the Chinese (well most of them) want and like their government, stop buying Fox news propaganda."
I am not an expert, but have you looked up the number of Chinese Emigrants to other parts of the world? It's going up. Also, you do not get the government you want. Exactly as kharrah02 stated "Most Chinese in China are totally un-aware of the unknown rebel in Tienanmen square in 1989 due to the Chinese govt forcefully censoring things for example -> Google searches made on the topic."
While the entire world knew what was happening, China had no idea, except those who were there, and even still they were likely told not to talk about it to the media or anyone else. Men In Black, anyone? "That was not a skull you saw on Lich King's knees, but rather... chests. *FLASH*"
China isn't the only country dealing with censorship, either. Media is censored everywhere by the government. What the government doesn't want broadcast, isn't broadcast.
On another note, I don't know if I like or dislike the fleshy undead skins. At the same time it makes a lot of sense since, in CoT: CoS, at the beginning, the infected become zombies, it'd make sense to have more of a Resident Evil or Living Dead sense behind it. People recently died and were raised, so therefor they aren't necessarily missing half their fleshy parts. It'd be easy to explain why they aren't decomposing too, in a game sense.
Though if having tombstones instead of corpses could be interesting. Though could they make it so gold farmers can't stockpile those in tombstone-addresses in major cities?
balamoor Jul 30th 2009 9:44PM
By that logic America is in the same boat My brother works for US immigration...the amount of people who leave the The United states each year has been rising significantly since 1983. Westerners just can't get around that different Values doesn't mean evil, we rail against "The Red Menace" But we as a people have no problem sending Jack booted thugs in a family's home to take a child away at gunpoint who is begging for asylum.
We can judge when we sweep around our own back door.
amtapounca Jul 30th 2009 10:06PM
Just in case you missed it, I did mention that censorship happens everywhere. And on that same note, the Chinese are leaving China, I never said Americans weren't leaving America. Same story though.
paul Jul 31st 2009 12:49PM
China fail.