Marvel Rivals, NetEase Games' new hero shooter, made a significant impact on the gaming community upon its release in December 2024. With engaging gameplay, impressive graphics, and a vast roster of Marvel characters, the game quickly attracted over 20 million players. However, alongside its initial success, Marvel Rivals is facing controversy regarding content censorship.
Numerous players, including prominent streamers like AsmonGold, have discovered that certain words and phrases are banned from the Marvel Rivals chat, even though they are not considered offensive or inappropriate in general conversation. This has led to surprise and questions regarding the reasons behind this censorship.
The list of banned terms includes:
- Winnie the Pooh
- Free Taiwan and related phrases supporting Taiwanese independence
- Free Tibet and related phrases supporting Tibetan independence
- Free Hong Kong and related phrases concerning Hong Kong
- Tiananmen Square
- 1989
- Wuhan Virus
- Mao Zedong
NetEase Games, the developer of Marvel Rivals, is a Chinese company. Consequently, many speculate that the prohibition of these terms is due to requirements imposed by the Chinese government, rather than a decision made solely by NetEase.
Content censorship has consistently been a contentious issue within the gaming industry. Many countries have specific regulations regarding game content, and developers often have to modify their games to comply with these rules.
The censorship in Marvel Rivals highlights the influence of politics on the gaming industry. Although the game is developed by a Chinese company, it must adhere to Chinese government regulations due to the market's enormous size and importance.
The long-term impact of this censorship remains to be seen. While banning "sensitive" terms may cause discomfort and negatively affect the experience for some players, it could also help Marvel Rivals avoid potential political issues in China, a massive market with millions of gamers.
