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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Culture & Society

Chinese game removes character after state media criticism, sparking global player outrage

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • The popular Chinese mobile game "Love and Deepspace" removed its sixth male character, Ao Yin, after criticism from Chinese state media.
  • This decision sparked outrage among English-speaking players, with a petition to reinstate the character gaining over 150,000 signatures.
  • Players are threatening legal action over alleged false advertising, while Japanese and Korean players have had mixed reactions.

The popular Chinese mobile game "Love and Deepspace" has swiftly removed its sixth male character, Ao Yin, following criticism from Chinese state media outlet "China Women's News." The outlet had accused the game's plot of potentially endangering single women. In response, the game's developer not only removed Ao Yin but also promised players that no new male characters would be introduced, a move that has ignited fury among the game's English-speaking player base.

Bring Ao Yin Back, Make Him the Original Love Interest

— petition titleThe name of the online petition started by players demanding the character's return.

This decision has led to a massive backlash, with a petition on the platform "ipetitions" titled "Bring Ao Yin Back, Make Him the Original Love Interest" rapidly collecting signatures. In less than 24 hours, the petition garnered over 156,000 electronic signatures. English-speaking players have voiced strong opposition, with some threatening collective lawsuits against the game company for alleged false advertising. One player stated, "This is something decided by Chinese players using 'we spend the most money,' and players from other servers were very much looking forward to the character Ao Yin."

This is something decided by Chinese players using 'we spend the most money,' and players from other servers were very much looking forward to the character Ao Yin.

— English-speaking playerExpressing frustration over the decision being driven by a specific player segment.

Reactions from other regional player bases have varied. Japanese players expressed disappointment, commenting on official social media posts that Ao Yin did nothing wrong and that his removal was unfair, especially to the voice actors involved. They urged the developers to reconsider the decision, warning that appeasing the most vocal complainers could disrupt the game's content. Meanwhile, Korean players have shown a markedly different response, with many celebrating the character's removal. Comments suggest a sentiment that the new character was a minor issue compared to larger political concerns, and some celebrated the decision as a "happy day."

Ao Yin did nothing wrong and was removed because of Chinese people.

— Japanese playerVoicing disappointment over the character's removal.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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