As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I have seen the industry evolve and sometimes regress in unexpected ways. The latest controversy surrounding Black Myth: Wukong has left me both bewildered and disheartened.
The field of Game Development is currently embroiled in a heated debate, with the creators of the game “Black Myth: Wukong” becoming a focus of the argument regarding content creator guidelines. Despite being a highly anticipated title and a possible frontrunner for Game of the Year, it’s now facing criticism only days before its release.
Some people had previously pledged not to play the 2024 Soulslike due to damaging reports of alleged sexist and inappropriate comments by some game creators. Game Science did not address IGN’s allegations from November 2023, but now they are facing even greater controversy.
Black Myth: Wukong called out for creator guidelines
It appears that the rules for content creators in The Black Myth: Wukong have been leaked online. These guidelines seem to prohibit streamers who accept a game key from incorporating political discussions, feminist messages, China’s gaming industry regulations, or sensitive terms like COVID-19 and quarantine into their content.
— MauroNL (@MauroNL3) August 17, 2024
Recently, there has been chatter about an unusual set of guidelines for creators regarding game reviews, which include strict regulations on what can and cannot be expressed. Some dismissed it as another unfounded rumor in the gaming community, but Paul Tassi from Forbes claims to have viewed the email, verifying its authenticity.
The “Do’s” section is quite straightforward, essentially encouraging players to have fun. On the other hand, the “Don’ts” list appears more like a set of strict rules that grow increasingly specific as you read them. While common sense guidelines such as avoiding insults and offensive language are expected, it then suggests avoiding topics like politics, violence, nudity, feminist content, fetishization, and anything else that might spark negative discussions.
Additionally, there are conditions about words associated with COVID-19 and quarantine, and a restriction on discussing content related to China’s video game industry, policies, opinions, news, etc. This has caused dissatisfaction within the industry, leading some critics to refuse to review the game altogether.
French YouTube channel ExServ also shared the email in a video, and it’s all over Reddit, with gamers calling out these strict guidelines amidst accusations of the developer trying to censor free speech. Tassi notes that this email wasn’t sent to journalists and might’ve been sent to those who requested codes, also noting that no NDA was required.
As a gamer partnering with Hero Games, I could have received an email from Game Science regarding Black Myth: Wukong, but haven’t heard back yet from the developer. Following the recent controversy over sexism, it’s questionable that the game is advising creators to steer clear of so-called “feminist propaganda.” With the impending launch and early reviews emerging, we’ll have to wait and see if this stance impacts the game’s ratings and reception.
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2024-08-19 12:12