PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds Could Be Banned in China

 

HIGHLIGHTS

• PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds is most likely going to be banned in China
• It deviates from the values of socialism according to a report
• It's Battle Royale-styled gameplay has been deemed harmful to youngsters

PC multiplayer sensation PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) could be banned in China. According to a report, China's Audio-Video and Digital Publishing Association deemed the game to not be inline with the country’s values.

Citing the “gladiator-style mentality of the computer game -- where competitors kill each other until only one remains -- deviates from the values of socialism and is deemed harmful to young consumers.”

What’s more is that the Association "recommended that the Chinese companies do not develop such games and discouraged live streaming of related content."

Previously, PUBG studio Bluehole courted controversy, raising concerns of Epic Games’ Fortnite’s Battle Royale mode mimics it.

“We’ve had an ongoing relationship with Epic Games throughout PUBG’s development as they are the creators of UE4, the engine we licensed for the game,” said Chang Han Kim, Vice President and Executive Producer for Bluehole, Inc in a press release sent to the media. “After listening to the growing feedback from our community and reviewing the gameplay for ourselves, we are concerned that Fortnite may be replicating the experience for which PUBG is known.”

PUBG's team alleges that gameplay, structural, and user interface replication exists in Fortnite.

“We have also noticed that Epic Games references PUBG in the promotion of Fortnite to their community and in communications with the press,” Chang Han Kim continues. “This was never discussed with us and we don’t feel that it’s right.”