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.

Re:Reminds me of my childhood

[MichaelSmith]

What exactly is the problem with skeletons?

It is a problem with death generally. Its a bit like in western culture there are things people prefer not to discuss in polite company like what you do in the toilet but in other cultures people are more open.

Re:WTF?

[kinnell]

I can imagine a similar response by many western governments if naked characters were actually naked, with visible genitalia

Re:This is the least of your problems.

[xtracto]

A small nipple? a small female nipple that was seen in 4 video frames and which those you are "protecting" have been touching and sucking daily ?

THIS is what you are going to worry about?

Re:Lobbying at work, not censorship.

[Ogive17]

"Oh yeah I am Chinese. No penis jokes please."

I can't resist quoting this after seeing your user name :). Compensation?

Re:This is the least of your problems.

[Anonymous Coward]

And so the american media censor themselve to avoid being punished after some redneck gets upset.

What is the difference?

Re:WTF?

[Zebedeu]

Methinks you have the wrong idea about Europe.

While it is true that in some countries you can see naked women (as in, bare breasts, not genitalia) in advertising in broad daylight and afternoon tv, I've yet to see anyone with their tits out in public, and I've been basically everywhere in Europe. I'm no lawyer, but I think it's illegal everywhere here.

Exception made to the fore-mentioned nude beaches and parks.

Basically, restirctions to nudity are more relaxed here than in the US, but they still exist. On the other hand, violence is more strictly controled here, specially in the central germanic countries. Though I must say that if I had to choose between blood and tits, I'd rather take the second :-)

Re:WTF?

[SupremoMan]

Yeah but display swastika in your game and good luck in the European markets.... To me censorship of nudity makes a whole lot more sense than censorship of history.