Fact Check: "Wukong Black Myth video game received controversy due to streaming policies that prohibited any discussions surrounding politics, Covid-19 and state of Chinese video game industry"
What We Know
The video game Black Myth: Wukong, developed by Game Science, has garnered significant attention and controversy due to its streaming policies. Ahead of its release, the company sent a list of topics that content creators were advised to avoid while livestreaming the game. These topics included “feminist propaganda,” politics, Covid-19, and discussions about the state of the Chinese video game industry (BBC, NY Times). This directive sparked backlash among influencers and streamers, many of whom felt it was an attempt to censor free speech and discussion (The Guardian, Wired).
Despite the controversy, Black Myth: Wukong achieved remarkable commercial success, selling over 4.5 million copies within 24 hours of its release and breaking records on the Steam platform (BBC). The game is based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, featuring the character Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King (Mythopedia).
Analysis
The controversy surrounding Black Myth: Wukong primarily stems from the list of prohibited topics sent to streamers. This list reflects broader issues of censorship in China, where discussions around sensitive topics are often restricted. The directive was perceived as an effort to control the narrative around the game and prevent any negative discourse that could arise from its international reception (NY Times, Wired).
Critics of the game's policies, including prominent streamers, have expressed their discontent, stating that such restrictions undermine the integrity of content creation and the freedom of expression (The Guardian). However, some analysts suggest that the restrictions may not be an official government mandate but rather a precautionary measure taken by the developers to avoid potential backlash from Chinese authorities (BBC, NY Times).
The reliability of the sources discussing this controversy is generally high, as they include reputable news organizations such as the BBC, The New York Times, and The Guardian, which have a history of covering international issues with a critical lens. However, it is essential to recognize that discussions about censorship in China can be sensitive and may reflect the biases of the reporting outlets.
Conclusion
The claim that Black Myth: Wukong received controversy due to streaming policies that prohibited discussions surrounding politics, Covid-19, and the state of the Chinese video game industry is True. The evidence from multiple reputable sources confirms that the developers issued guidelines restricting certain topics, which led to significant backlash from content creators and discussions about censorship in the gaming industry.
Sources
- Why is this Chinese video game causing such a stir?
- Hit Chinese Video Game Seeks to Curb 'Negative Discourse'
- Hit game Black Myth: Wukong faces backlash after telling ...
- Sun Wukong – Mythopedia
- 'Black Myth: Wukong' Devs Told Streamers to Avoid ...
- Jade Emperor – Mythopedia
- Internet goes wild for Chinese video game ... - NBC News
