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Industry Expert on Why Plague Inc. was Banned in China

Milosz Szubert, 17 March 2020, 16:48

Daniel Ahmad, senior analyst at Niko Partners, gave three reasons why Ndemic Creations' Plague Inc. was removed from distribution in China. The reasons included the lack of a proper license.

TikTok Censors Posts From Ugly and Poor People

Laty, 17 March 2020, 11:40

TikTok ordered its moderators to hide videos of users who are ugly or poor and censor statements related to the political situation that occur during streams.

Censored Literature Available in Minecraft

Adrian Werner, 13 March 2020, 10:50

The Uncensored Library, a virtual library implemented in Minecraft created in collaboration with Reporters Without Borders, has launched. The aim of the project is to provide access to works censored by many governments through the popular game.

Plague Inc. Removed From Chinese App Store for „Illegal” Content [Updated]

Paul Wozniak, 02 March 2020, 19:31

Plague Inc. was removed from the Chinese App Store. The reason for this is „content that is illegal in China as determined by the Cyberspace Administration of China”. For the time being we do not know the exact reasons for such a decision, although it can be assumed that it is related to the ongoing coronavirus epidemic.

Here's What Netflix had to Censor Last Year

Konrad Serafinski, 09 February 2020, 21:28

According to the recently released Netflix report for 2019, the company has removed content nine times on official requests from individual countries. This is the first time the company has openly admitted it.

Commandos 2 HD Remaster Censored [Updated]

Christian Pieniazek, 24 January 2020, 00:00

As closed beta-tests have shown, the re-mastered version of Commandos 2 has been censored. Swastikas and symbols of the Japanese Empire were removed, as well as animations of burning enemies. And don't forget that the game won't have a co-op mode.

EU Considers Temporary Ban on Usage of Face Recognition Technology

Bart Swiatek, 20 January 2020, 10:54

According to reports from Reuters, the European Union is considering a five-year ban on the use of face recognition technology in public places. This would prevent abuse and allow for working out solutions to protect citizens. The idea appeared in an extensive report created by the European Commission.

Valve Removed Profiles With Nazi-related Phrases and Symbols

Bart Swiatek, 12 December 2019, 14:31

Valve Software has removed dozens of profiles and images containing Nazi words and symbols. The measures were taken after notification by the German Media Authority of Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein, as using Nazi-related symbols and terminology in punishable by law in Germany.

Valve Doesn't Want Any Games About Hong Kong Protests on Steam?

Julia Dragovic, 08 December 2019, 22:43

Valve is delaying the release of games related to protests in Hong Kong. All of the titles are on the pro-democratic side of the conflict. And if you don't what something is about... it's about China, in other words, money. Blitzchung, Hearthstone player recently suspended by Blizzard, also appears in the affair.

Russia Introduces Internet Censorship

Laty, 04 November 2019, 16:15

A new law related to Internet came into force in Russia on November 1, and it may be the beginning of mass surveillance of users on the web. The government has the ability to block content and even filter the things we can browse. The bill is designed to protect Russia from cyber attacks.

Censorship in The Outer Worlds - From Religion to Polish Vulgarisms

Adrian Werner, 28 October 2019, 13:58

Fans of The Outer Worlds have discovered that the game has a collection of almost 500 forbidden words that you can't use when naming your character. Among them were both vulgarisms and words such as „gay” and „transexual”.

Brutal Depiction of Russian Occupation Causes Problems for Modern Warfare?

Darius Matusiak, 27 October 2019, 21:17

There is no longer any doubt as to why the Russian branch of Sony has banned the sale of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare in Russia. The story campaign shows the local army in the role of brutal torturers.

PS4 Version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is Banned in Russia

Michael Kulakowski, 22 October 2019, 21:56

In unclear circumstances, the Russian branch of Sony decided to completely ban the sale of digital copies of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare in the local PlayStation Store. The title will also not be available in a physical version.

PewDiePie Banned in China for Xi Jinping Meme

Julia Dragovic, 22 October 2019, 12:27

The popular youtuber PewDiePie was banned in China for showing in his film the (in)famous meme comparing secretary Xi Jinping to Winnie the Pooh.

Hong Kong Protests: Blizzard Bans Further Hearthstone Players

Julia Dragovic, 17 October 2019, 12:54

After the AU Hearthstone team supported Hong Kong protests in an official stream stream, Blizzard decided to impose a six-month suspension penalty on the players.

Blizzard Removes Mei Figure From its Store

Jakub Mirowski, 14 October 2019, 11:23

Blizzard removed Mei figure from its store. Players suspect that the reason for getting rid of this Overwatch character is the fact that she has become one of the symbols of the ongoing protests in Hong Kong.

Banned Episode of South Park Displayed on Hong Kong Streets

Bart Swiatek, 11 October 2019, 13:04

Protesters on the streets of Hong Kong had the opportunity to watch one of the last episodes of South Park - Band in China - on the big screen, where the creators ridicule the Chinese authorities and their influence on the Western entertainment industry. The show was very popular.

Corruption and Collapse of Values - ex-Blizzard Employee on Chinese Influence

Bart Swiatek, 11 October 2019, 12:23

Mark Kern, former Team Lead at Blizzard Entertainment, responded on Twitter to the high-profile Hong Kong protest scandal. In his opinion, the company is acting against its own values. The developer also quotes several stories that illustrate the extent of influence and methods of Chinese companies in the gaming industry.

Blizzard Prevents Users From Deleting Accounts After Hong Kong Affair?

arRacoon, 10 October 2019, 11:57

Blizzard scores another PR blow right after the Chung „Blitzchung” Ng Wai affair at the Hearthstone Tournament in Hong Kong. According to reports, Blizzard accounts have become much more difficult and often impossible to remove. The studio is suspected of intervening and actively blocking the possibility of saying goodbye to the account.

Tim Sweeney: „Epic Will not Punish Fortnite Players for Talking Politics”

Jacob Blazewicz, 09 October 2019, 22:47

Tim Sweeney from Epic Games referred to the controversy surrounding the suspension of Chung „blitzchung” Ng Wai by Blizzard for a political statement during a Hearthstone tournament. The CEO assured that he would not allow Fortnite players to be punished for their political statements.

Community Stands With Blitzchung, Blizzard in Memes and Comments

Julia Dragovic, 09 October 2019, 14:14

After the penalty imposed by Blizzard on Blitzchung for publicly supporting protests in Hong Kong, savage flak of comments and criticisms hits the company from numerous sides. The community is calling for a boycott. The publisher's employees also reacted, and the player himself briefly referred to the penalty.

Chinese Authorities Purge the Local Internet from South Park

Frozen, 08 October 2019, 14:14

In the latest episode of the animated series South Park Town, Trey Parker and Matt Stone have decided to address the subject of Chinese censorship. As a result, they fell victim to it themselves - the series completely disappeared from the Internet available in China within a few days.

WoW Classic and Hong Kong Protests - Censorship has no Place in Azeroth

Julia Dragovic, 26 September 2019, 22:00

The Taiwanese World of Warcraft Classic server has become a place for the people of Hong Kong and Taiwan to communicate with each other, regardless of censorship. And they raise issues that are uncomfortable to some, because they are connected with politics and protests.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Vanishes From Russian PSN

Jacob Blazewicz, 13 September 2019, 15:12

Sony has withdrawn Call of Duty: Modern Warfare from the Russian version of PlayStation Store. It seems that players in Russia will have to do without it.

Australia Bans Kingdom Come Deliverance For Sexual Violence [Updated]

Jacob Blazewicz, 22 August 2019, 14:10

More titles were added to the list of games banned in Australia. This time Kingdom Come: Deliverance got hit for its presentation of sexual violence. In addition, the sale of We Happy Few has been banned again.

YouTube Considers Robot Fights as Animal Abuse?

Barth Faryna, 22 August 2019, 13:53

YouTube has recently removed hundreds of videos depicting robot fights. However, the most interesting thing about this whole matter is the reason for the decision: the videos violated the rules on cruelty to animals.

Australian DayZ Censorship Will Affect Players All Over the World [Updated]

Christian Pieniazek, 21 August 2019, 12:25

Due to the presence of drugs, DayZ was banned in Australia. The team at Bohemia Interactive has decided to make changes that will affect players from all over the world.

Rockstar Games Works on Bonaire; Game is Already Banned in Australia

Frozen, 20 August 2019, 14:30

The Australian age rating organisation has refused to classify the latest work of Rockstar Games - Bonaire. What is the new, mysterious project of the developers of GTA and Red Dead Redemption?

Australian MP on DayZ Ban: „We're Making Ourselves a Laughing Stock.”

Jacob Blazewicz, 18 August 2019, 18:48

Tim Quilty, a member of the Australian Liberal Democratic Party, spoke on the announced ban on the sale of DayZ. In his view, the decision of ACB rating organisation makes Australia the laughing stock of the world.

Twitter Tests Automatic Filtering of Offensive Messages

Barth Faryna, 16 August 2019, 19:29

Twitter has just started testing a special tool to ensure that users no longer receive offensive messages - at least in theory. If everything goes according to plan, we will soon have it at our disposal.

Gears 5 Drops Cigars as Devs do not Want to Promote Smoking

Adrian Werner, 14 July 2019, 18:11

The Coalition has announced that no cigars will appear in Gears 5 in order not to encourage players to smoke. In addition, a 25-minute gameplay from the multiplayer mode of the game was released on the web.

AC: Odyssey - Ban on Farming Experience Using Mission Creator

Bart Swiatek, 12 July 2019, 22:39

Ubisoft has decided to ban the use of Story Creator for Assassin's Creed Odyssey to create simple missions that offer a huge amount of experience. Players who do not comply with the new rules risk being banned.

Wolfenstein Youngblood Without Censorship in Germany

Bart Swiatek, 27 June 2019, 15:44

Wolfenstein: Youngblood will be released in Germany without censorship of Nazi symbols. This is the first game of this series, which German players will experience without any cuts.

US Government Shuts Down LoL in Iran and Syria

Bart Swiatek, 24 June 2019, 09:29

Sanctions imposed on Iran and Syria by the US government have resulted in gamers in in these Middle Eastern countries losing their ability to log into the popular MOBA League of Legends.

400 Million Downloads of PUBG Mobile; Player Count Remains Impressive

Adrian Werner, 14 June 2019, 16:19

Tencent boasts the huge popularity of PUBG Mobile. The number of downloads exceeded 400 million and the title is played by 50 million gamers each day. This success is all the more impressive as then production has been removed from distribution in China.

Russia Intends to Block 9 Popular VPN Services

Conrad Hazi, 11 June 2019, 12:19

The Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Roskomnadzor, intends to block access to 9 popular VPN services. In March this year, 10 large suppliers were to receive requirements on limiting access to websites. Only Kaspersky Lab agreed to implement them.

YouTube Videos Ridiculing the $999 Apple Stand Disappear from Internet

Arkadiusz Dziermanski, 07 June 2019, 01:26

The echoes of Apple's conference, during which the company's new monitor was presented, along with a stand costing almost $999 extra, will not fade away. Films ridiculing the device started to disappear from the Internet.

Devil May Cry 5 Censored on PS4

Adrian Werner, 11 March 2019, 13:30

US branch of Sony decided to protect the morality of American gamers. The western edition of Devil May Cry 5 for PS4 has received an update that censors one of the cut-scenes in the game, covering the indecent exposition of one of the female characters.

Rape Day Removed from Steam

Agnes Adamus, 07 March 2019, 13:56

Valve took a lot of flak recently for allowing Rape Day, a controversial title that deals with violence against women, to be released on Steam. The company has decided to intervene and removed the game from Steam's offer.

YouTube plans to reduce the visibility so-called borderline content

Bart Swiatek, 29 January 2019, 22:48

YouTube informed that it intends to change the website’s system of recommendations – the aim is to limit the visibility of so-called borderline content.

End of dangerous challenges on YouTube

Milosz Szubert, 18 January 2019, 02:31

YouTube declared war on dangerous "pranks" and challenges. People who publish them are in danger of being banned on the popular video provider. This happened under the influence of events connected with the so-called "Bird Box Challenge".

Swastikas and other Nazi symbols are no longer censored in German games. Here’s how it happened

Mathias Zulpo, 10 August 2018, 15:25

Swastikas and other Nazi symbols, banned from German video games for two decades, are back. Learn what made them unlawful, how it affected the industry, and what it took to bring them back.