Why Are Skulls Illegal in China?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As a passionate gamer and content creator who analyzes the latest gaming news and releases, I often get asked – why are skulls and other macabre imagery banned in China? It comes down to cultural views on death and superstition.

Taboo Views on Death

In Chinese culture, death is seen as taboo and connected to bad luck or evil spirits. Depicting a skull disrespects ancestors and promotes outdated superstitions in the view of censors. This fuels video game bans and censorship.

For example, skeletons and skull images are often altered to tombstones and gravestones. Other gory and terrifying content is cut or altered as well.

Impact on the Gaming Industry

China boasts the world‘s largest gaming market, so publishers bend over backwards to comply with strict media regulations. Let‘s look at some examples of how China‘s censorship rules have forced changes:

GameOriginal ContentAltered Chinese Version
World of WarcraftSkeleton monstersFlesh giants
PUBG MobileDead player modelsGravestones
Pirates of the Caribbean OnlineSkeleton cursed crewEdited/removed scenes

As you can see, depictions of skulls and skeletons pose huge challenges. Entire scenes or character images must be changed to pass regulations.

Workarounds

Some tactics games use to sneak macabre content into China include:

  • Altering blood color to green or blue
  • Using symbols like gravestones to replace bodies
  • Focusing action on robots, zombies, or aliens over human characters
  • Relying more on text over visuals to depict death

However, regulators are quite strict. In 2019, China banned blood and gore entirely, even when color altered. What does this mean for the future of horror games in China?

China – The Eternal Gaming Battleground

With China on pace to surpass the US in game revenue by 2025, publishers have no choice but to comply.

US developers grumble about how much effort goes into "saving face" for Chinese officials. Hardcore horror fans bemoan the loss of gritty and macabre content.

However, the demands for family-friendly depictions of violence will not ease up any time soon. And with $15.7 billion in gaming revenue for giants like Tencent, we can expect publishers to keep bending over backwards to keep Chinese censorship officials happy.

The eternal struggle rages on. Who do you think will back down first – publishers or censors? Share your predictions in the comments below!

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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