Latest World of Warcraft Expansion Blocked In China

The Opposable Thumbs blog reports that World of Warcraft's most recent expansion, Wrath of the Lich King, is not being allowed into the Chinese market. The Escapist brings further details, saying, "According to an insider, two specific shortcomings included the presence of skeleton characters and a 'city raid.' Nor did the submitted version contain the starting area for the game's new Death Knight class." The Chinese version of World of Warcraft has been modified in the past to remove skeletons and zombies.

Reminds me of my childhood

[microbee]

I am a Chinese. When I was young (~1988), at one time they banned a very popular TV series from Hongkong because, rumor had it, there were skeletons in it.

The funny thing was it wasn't even the first time it was aired on TV. It had been broadcasted nationwide many years ago already.

Anyway, there are always a lot of stupid people in the government. Not news anymore.

Re:Reminds me of my childhood

[Anonymous Coward]

what about this [aberdeencity.gov.uk] and this [imageshack.us]?

Lobbying at work, not censorship.

[mynickslongerthanurs]

Actually censorship does not contribute as much as lobbying from competition in this case.

WOW has dominated the Chinese MMORPG market for years and currently all the OTHER MMORPG companies are spending big fortunes on lobbying (aka bribing) the "department of (anti-)culture" to delay WLK as much as they can. They know that WOW will eat their lunch with the new expansion pack and one more day delay of WLK's debut means gain in millions for them.

So as any corrupt agency will do, the DOC is busy inventing ridiculous reasons to deny clearance for the game. "Oh noes! References like the Massacre of Stratholme are so harmful for the helpless minds of our young people! THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!1!".

I don't think Nineth City (agent for WOW mainland) has much chance in this "9C vs Everyone Else" war. By the way, almost all my WOWer friends have quit playing and those who are really into that game (shame on them) have switched to servers in Taiwan anyway.

Oh yeah I am Chinese. No penis jokes please.

Re:On the other hand

[MichaelSmith]

All the Chinese movies with ghosts in my experience present the ghost a bit like in the Sixth Sense. As an intact body but not with the same behaviour as a living person. Of course the special effects are cheaper that way ;)

Re:WTF?

[FreakWent]

interesting contrast to the south American 'death festivals' isn't it?