Chinese Netizens Clash Over Taiwanese Game's 'Harem' Feature Removal

The upcoming release of 'The Great Hero: The Path of the Hero,' developed by a Taiwanese team, is embroiled in controversy among Chinese netizens. The game, set to launch on August 19, has drawn criticism for its decision to remove the signature 'harem' gameplay mechanic from its predecessor, 'The Great Hero.'

Previously, 'The Great Hero' attracted a significant following of Chinese male players due to its high degree of freedom and the ability to pursue relationships with multiple female characters. Many players reportedly focused on strategies to win over all available female leads. However, the new installment, 'The Great Hero: The Path of the Hero,' replaces this feature with independent companion storylines, featuring fixed male and female protagonists and offering dual character starting options, seemingly to attract a broader audience, including female players.

This shift has ignited a fierce debate within the Chinese gaming community. A large segment of male players expresses dissatisfaction, viewing the change as a departure from the game's core appeal and an attempt to appease feminist sentiments. Conversely, the vocal support for multiple female character options has provoked backlash from female players. Meanwhile, some long-time fans argue that the essence of 'The Great Hero' series lies in traditional Wuxia themes, rendering romantic elements secondary.

In response to the controversy, the Half-Bottle Studio, the developer, clarified that the main storyline for both male and female protagonists remains consistent. They emphasized that game progression is determined by in-game choices. The studio also confirmed the absence of the 'harem' gameplay from the original title, stating that 'The Path of the Hero' focuses on independent companion narratives with distinct roles, rather than dedicated storylines for every character.

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The main storyline for both male and female protagonists is the same, so don't worry about missing content by choosing a different protagonist. The branching paths in the game are determined by your specific choices within the game. Additionally, 'The Path of the Hero' does not have the 'harem' gameplay like the main title 'Crimson Blood.' It proceeds with independent companion storylines, with each character having distinct focus and not every character having a dedicated storyline.