China bans sale of Animal Crossing New Horizons after it becomes a haven for Hong Kong protesters

China bans sale of Animal Crossing New Horizons after it becomes a haven for Hong Kong protesters

China bans sale of Animal Crossing: New Horizons after it becomes a haven for Hong Kong protesters Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. China bans sale of Animal Crossing: New Horizons after it becomes a haven for Hong Kong protesters Shelf life. News by Wesley Yin-Poole Deputy Editorial Director Updated on 11 Apr 2020 48 comments China is taking on Animal Crossing: New Horizons, blocking its sale on the country's version of ebay. The Chinese authorities have yet to approve the phenomenally popular Nintendo Switch exclusive for official release, so fans were importing directly from ebay-style websites such as Taobao and Pinduoduo, or buying it digitally by switching their Switch eShop region. Now, Taobao and Pinduoduo have pulled the game at the request of the Chinese authorities. But why? According to Daniel Ahmad, a senior analyst at Niko Partners who specialises in the Asian video game industry, it's down to two things: Animal Crossing is being used by Hong Kong protesters and others to create politically sensitive user-generated content, and it's a smash hit on social media. In this case Animal Crossing is impacted by both points. 1. User generated content in the game has been used by Hong Kong protestors and for other politically sensitive user generated content. 2. The game is extremely popular on social media and everyone knows about it.- Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) April 10, 2020 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings As reported by our friends at US Gamer, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is fast becoming a new way for Hong Kong protesters to fight for democracy amid the Coronavirus lockdown. 1/ "I play the game, I just bought it a few days ago. For lots of people around the world who play this game, they have to put their ideal life into the game, and for HKers, we have to put our protest movement and our protest sites inside the game." pic.twitter.com/YWyZLSgSgV- Joshua Wong 黃之鋒 (@joshuawongcf) April 2, 2020 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings Under Chinese law, video games can't contain anything that "threatens China's national unity, sovereignty, or territorial integrity". They can't harm "the nation's reputation, security or interests". They can't promote cults, or "superstitions". They can't "incite obscenity, drug use, violence or gambling" - although loot boxes are, of course, fine - and they can't include anything that "harms public ethics" or China's "culture and traditions". They also can't include any "other content" that might violate China's constitution or law, whatever that may be, and they have to be published in China by a Chinese company. Watch on YouTube Despite forcing some online retailers to pull Animal Crossing: New Horizons from their virtual shelves, the Chinese authorities face an uphill struggle banning the game completely. As Ahmad points out, Animal Crossing still works offline and online in China, and it's still available to buy, either from certain stores, or via switching region on the eShop. And people can always contact Taobao sellers privately and buy the game under the counter. There are still ways to purchase the game also.1. Mom & Pop stores2. eShop via switching region3. Contact a Taobao seller privately and in most cases they will still sell you the game under the counter. That being said, this will no doubt impact overall sales/availability.- Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) April 10, 2020 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a remarkable hit globally, and it seems Chinese gamers are determined to play it. That comes as no surprise, given they've been playing unapproved video games for years. For more on that, check out Chris Tapsell's wonderful investigative feature, Video games in China: beyond the great firewall. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 59 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 4 Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 11 Latest Articles Preview Football Manager's new Console edition is the best you'll get without a PC Getting Touch-right. Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 59 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 4 Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store
Share:
0 comments

Comments (0)

Leave a Comment

Minimum 10 characters required

* All fields are required. Comments are moderated before appearing.

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!