According to numerous sources, those living in China can no longer purchase Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The game, which has no official release in the region and therefore requires players to import the game via services like Taobao, has reportedly been pulled from sale after being banned. Taobao sellers are claiming that they have been given notice that they are no longer allowed to sell any imported copies of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, or any merchandise related to the game. Currently, no official reasoning has been given for the ban, but many believe that the ban was caused by people using New Horizons as a tool to protest, with political activists like Joshua Wong creating pattern designs saying "Free Hong Kong, Revolution Now".

Source

 

[UltraDolphinRevolution]

Nintendo (and other companies) do not like political statements in their game.
(e.g. https://www.themarysue.com/nintendo-bans-trans-flag-super-smash-bros-ultimate/)
In America pro KKK statements would be banned, in Germany a Swastika. And in China the Hong Kong issue gets under people´s skin. I think there will be an official release of the game.

 

[Joom]

I get that’s the devs don’t consider it cheating, technically it still falls under that unfortunately.

Why? Who gets to determine this?

 

[Ericzander]

In America pro KKK statements would be banned. . .

Hmm.. I wonder if that's actually true in today's world. Sure a statement like that would likely be censored but not necessarily. For example, if the KKK were enemies in a game. Or if a character who we aren't supposed to like was a supporter.

Hell, imagine a future GTA game where one of the main characters is in the Klan. I doubt it would be banned. Censored? Maybe. But it depends on the context.

China on the other hand stepped over the line here.

 

[rensenware]

1. What does the UK abdicating rule over HK have anything to do with Animal Crossing NH being banned?
2. China is trying to take those rights away because they're a Communist shithole. "BUT THAT WASN'T REAL SOCIALISM/COMMUNISM"
3. Nice jab at the president at the end when he's trying to fix a problem that China unleashed upon the whole world. And if he can open shit up again by the end of the month and things get better, I hope you're ready for 4 more years with him!

Don't link Jordan Peterson. He's a piece of shit.

 

[City]

Nintendo (and other companies) do not like political statements in their game.
(e.g. https://www.themarysue.com/nintendo-bans-trans-flag-super-smash-bros-ultimate/)
In America pro KKK statements would be banned, in Germany a Swastika. And in China the Hong Kong issue gets under people´s skin. I think there will be an official release of the game.

I don't think that ALL political statements are banned, otherwise games like Civilization (where you get to choose your political stance) wouldn't appear. I think it's more about glorifying "bad" political stances. I don't think a KKK member in a GTA game would be grounds for a ban if the character is shown under a tragic light.

About the trans flag, I think it was an unfortunate mistake. But corporate can never backtrack on their decisions unless met with absolute rage (this wasn't the case or I'd have remembered it). Even the Nintendo support spokesperson publicly said they don't agree with the decision.

 

[Silent_Gunner]

Don't link Jordan Peterson. He's a piece of shit.

He is? By giving people helpful life advice?

Gonna need some evidence for that one, not-free-thinker.

 

[anhminh]

Remember kid, propaganda is not cool and being political is bad. That why every good kid need to listen and support your party in the government no matter what.

 

[UltraDolphinRevolution]

So Chinese mainland consoles can still play games from all regions but Chinese mainland software does not work on other consoles. Is that correct?
If so, the main motiviation could be a financial one, but I am not sure. Apparently the import of this game was pretty successful. Maybe Tencent wants to have a share. Otherwise the official game is released and nobody wants it anymore. The Chinese mainland releases are lagging behind. Let´s see whether they hurry up with Animal Crossing.

I am personally against any and all censorship, but I recognize that different societies have different rules and values. Yes, a GTA game might be allowed to depict the KKK, but not in a positive light (as it was just mentioned). In the US, rape games are banned outright, I believe. Who am I to tell the Americans that they have to allow rape games? Live and let live.

 

[pedro702]

So Chinese mainland consoles can still play games from all regions but Chinese mainland software does not work on other consoles. Is that correct?
If so, the main motiviation could be a financial one, but I am not sure. Apparently the import of this game was pretty successful. Maybe Tencent wants to have a share. Otherwise the official game is released and nobody wants it anymore. The Chinese mainland releases are lagging behind. Let´s see whether they hurry up with Animal Crossing.

I am personally against any and all censorship, but I recognize that different societies have different rules and values. Yes, a GTA game might be allowed to depict the KKK, but not in a positive light (as it was just mentioned). In the US, rape games are banned outright, I believe. Who am I to tell the Americans that they have to allow rape games? Live and let live.

yes that is so, chinese physical releases off switch games only work on chinese switch consoles, but chinese switch consoles can play all region games.

 

[arcanine]

yet another example of the chinese government doing whatever it has to do to keep the population downtrodden. is there no limit to what these psychopaths are willing to do? This is why covid-19 is a good thing. It is a direct result of the chinese government’s egregious human and animal rights violations, not to mention their wanton disregard for the environment. the sooner this is over the sooner the rest of the world can fucking grow a spine and start the heaviest possible sanctions against this oppressive regime in order to force them to reconsider their attitude

 

[Zonark]

Why? Who gets to determine this?

The Chinese government

 

[Valwinz]

BASE China

 

[Louis130704YT]

but there is TITLE BASED games. there is not just catridge based games.

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wtf. Animal Crossing is like the most family friendly game ever.
we as a species is doomed. on that note.. at least china can play Doom.

i know. but corona.

 

[UltraDolphinRevolution]

yet another example of the chinese government doing whatever it has to do to keep the population downtrodden. is there no limit to what these psychopaths are willing to do? This is why covid-19 is a good thing. It is a direct result of the chinese government’s egregious human and animal rights violations, not to mention their wanton disregard for the environment. the sooner this is over the sooner the rest of the world can fucking grow a spine and start the heaviest possible sanctions against this oppressive regime in order to force them to reconsider their attitude

How is it a direct result? Are North American governments to blame for H1N1?

 

[Joom]

How is it a direct result? Are North American governments to blame for H1N1?

Well, the citizens are forced to eat a weird diet due to the government not regulating what can and can't be sold as food, so there's that. When SARS happened, it was said then that the wet markets need to be done away with, but people touting that were called racist and xenophobic.

 

[64bitmodels]

and this is why no one likes you china.. You cause a major disease, you brainwash your people to make them think your shitty style of government is good, and even when there's a game to help them relax from all the panic and turmoil you take it away from them like the communist bitches you are.
only reason you still exist is because you make everything...

 

[UltraDolphinRevolution]

Well, the citizens are forced to eat a weird diet due to the government not regulating what can and can't be sold as food, so there's that. When SARS happened, it was said then that the wet markets need to be done away with, but people touting that were called racist and xenophobic.

I was too busy playing Wii when SARS broke out, but it is pretty much established that the wet markets DID NOT cause COVID19. Patient Zero is still unknown though.

 

[rensenware]

I was too busy playing Wii when SARS broke out, but it is pretty much established that the wet markets DID NOT cause COVID19. Patient Zero is still unknown though.

I'm not disagreeing with you, but can I see a source on wet markets not causing it?

 

[UltraDolphinRevolution]

It was reported on German, Chinese and American media months ago. I do not remember, sorry.

I am not saying this to defend China. It is still better than the view that China did this on purpose (see Alex Jones and others). If we want to be fair, we cannot rule out any origin of the virus. It seems likely it originated in China, but we simply do not know until we find patient zero.

 

[Flower_Zika]

Free Hong Kong, Revolution Now!

Done, GBAtemp is banned on China.