GOG walks back release of controversial horror game Devotion

theverge.com

19 points·djsumdog··5 comments

Wait, the controversy is review bombing due to Xi Jinping continuing to be upset over wine the pooh comparisons?

I mean I get the whole being a totalitarian dictatorship, but at some point just grow a thicker skin, you're a public figure and should simply ignore this. Or do a Ted Cruz and embrace it.

I recognize that this won't happen as Xi has for some reason decided not to take me on as a PR consultant, but for non-chinese companies to then vigorously back track to appease him is getting old and sickening.

It's not literally Xi himself, it's just countless of Chinese gamers being upset with it, I doubt Xi plays a ton of games in his free time.

It's not really censorship as much as it is having to contest with the fact that a market of a billion something people is going to get pissed off. GoG operates in somewhat of a grey area in China IIRC so it's just a business decision.

I get that - I don't see him sitting down making spoof accounts, complaining on forums, etc :D

Political content in games, especially referencing current figures or movements will rarely go down well.

If there's enough outrage they'll do it just to ensure their bottom line is protected. Of course political pressure is a thing but it wouldn't necessarily be surprising if it offended Chinese gamers as much as it did the party.

For anyone curious what the fuss is about their previous game Detention is widely available.

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