Censorship
Ongoing coverage on Censorship.
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BioWare’s Saudi owners reportedly ordered a flag to be removed from Mass Effect 5 because it was ‘too similar to the LGBTQIA+ one’
Reports indicate that Saudi owners of BioWare allegedly ordered a flag to be removed from Mass Effect 5 due to its similarity to an LGBTQIA+ flag. This alleged incident suggests cultural influences from conservative investors impacting game content.
Mass Effect 5 studio was reportedly told to tone down inclusivity by EA after Saudi Arabia buyout, former BioWare dev…
Former BioWare developers have reportedly stated that Electronic Arts instructed them to tone down inclusivity in the unreleased Mass Effect 5 following the company's acquisition by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. Developers allegedly had to remove an LGBTQIA+ flag from a presentation to avoid causing offense, reflecting broader concerns about content policing after the buyout.
Street Fighter's Chun-Li star reveals the gory scene that was cut out because Capcom feared "it would be…
Actress Callina Liang, who plays Chun-Li in the Street Fighter movie, revealed that Capcom requested the removal of a scene where Chun-Li was supposed to cut off her finger to prove loyalty to M. Bison. Capcom feared this would damage the character's brand and impact future merchandise. Another scene involving Chun-Li slapping Ken Masters was also altered.
Hellraiser's Clive Barker Feared New Game Would Be 'Overly Censored' But Is 'Proud as F**k at the End Result'
Hellraiser creator Clive Barker expressed initial concerns that the franchise's new video game might be overly censored. However, he is ultimately very proud of the final result and how much the developers were able to push boundaries.
Games Inbox: Could GTA 6 be banned because of its sex scenes?
Readers discuss potential controversies surrounding Grand Theft Auto 6's adult content and the possibility of bans in the US. Other topics include the merits of remakes versus new IPs in series like Resident Evil and Metroid, and concerns about Microsoft's handling of studios like the one developing Gears of War: E-Day.
Sony appears to censor LGBTQ content in Marvel's Wolverine for some regions
Marvel's Wolverine, developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, appears to have had LGBTQ content, specifically references to a same-sex marriage between characters Mystique and Tyger, censored in certain regions. This follows similar alterations in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 for Middle Eastern markets, where depictions of homosexuality are restricted.
Mystique's lesbian relationship in Marvel's Wolverine is seemingly censored in certain parts of the world
Players have reported that Marvel's Wolverine features censorship in its Middle Eastern version, particularly regarding Mystique's lesbian relationship with Tyger. This includes blurred photos and redacted dialogue, a tactic also seen in other media distributed in the region. This follows a similar pattern observed with Marvel's Spider-Man 2, which had LGBTQ+ references removed prior to its release in Saudi Arabia.
I played the adventure game so scandalous that it was physically destroyed by UK customs
The 1988 graphic adventure game Sex Vixens from Space was physically destroyed by UK customs upon arrival due to its lewd content, a fate the author explores after playing the game. Despite its scandalous premise, the game is described as poorly executed, not sexy, and even displaying fascist tendencies in its narrative resolution. Ultimately, the author concludes that neither the game's destruction nor its creation held significant value.
Portal could've had "a bunch of gore and dead bodies" if one dev had his way, says Valve veteran, but Gabe Newell considered it "the stupidest question ever"
Valve writer Chet Faliszek revealed that a developer once proposed adding gore and dead bodies to the original Portal, an idea that was strongly opposed by the team and Gabe Newell. Newell reportedly dismissed the suggestion as 'the stupidest question ever,' and the team ultimately decided against the concept, finding it unfitting for the game's tone.
Halloween: The Game Appears to Patch Out a Sex Minigame — and Players Think They Know Why
IllFonic, the developer of Halloween: The Game, has seemingly removed a sex minigame from the title. This action followed the viral spread of a gameplay clip showcasing the content, leading to speculation about the reasons behind the patch.
The Halloween game has a sex minigame in it, except no it doesn't, because it was apparently removed
The Halloween game's controversial sex minigame, available only in its deluxe edition early access, has reportedly been silently removed by developer Illfonic. Players are expressing dissatisfaction with the removal, with speculation suggesting it was due to the potential for older characters, like Dr. Loomis or Michael Myers' therapist, to solicit sex from underage characters such as Laurie Strode.
Valve staged its own Left 4 Dead 2 trailer "leak" to get around an ESRB ban, says former writer
Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek revealed that Valve intentionally 'leaked' the trailer for Left 4 Dead 2 in 2009 to bypass ESRB restrictions on its violent content. The developer had a contentious relationship with the ratings board and various countries over the game's gore and profanity, leading to this unconventional marketing tactic. The game ultimately received an M rating and was released in Germany uncensored in 2021.
The ESRB wouldn't let Valve release the cinematic trailer for Left 4 Dead 2, so what did they do? They "leaked" it, obviously
Valve intentionally 'leaked' the cinematic trailer for Left 4 Dead 2 after the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) refused to approve its release due to concerns over profanity and violence. Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek revealed the anecdote, explaining that the ESRB's strictness on marketing materials led Valve to release the trailer themselves.
Left 4 Dead 2 writer says Valve intentionally 'leaked' its cinematic trailer to get around ESRB rules: 'I…
Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek revealed that the cinematic trailer for Left 4 Dead 2 was intentionally 'leaked' by the company to bypass the ESRB's rules. Valve faced scrutiny over the game's violence and language, and the ESRB had stricter regulations for marketing materials than for the games themselves.
Rockstar Censors GTA 6 Extended Look Trailer for China
Rockstar Games has released a heavily censored version of the Grand Theft Auto 6 extended look trailer specifically for the Chinese market. This action highlights the impact of censorship on game content distribution.
The adult game crackdown is "ridiculous for our art form", say Hellraiser devs, but they think they'll survive thanks to that Clive Barker association
Developers of Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival express frustration over the ongoing crackdown on adult games, calling it 'ridiculous for our art form.' They believe the established IP status of Hellraiser provides some protection against bans on platforms like Steam, though they acknowledge the chilling effect on developers of original IPs. The game will launch on Steam on October 8 but faces challenges with age classification in territories like Germany and Japan.
The Nintendo ports of Metal Gear Solid 4 replace the iconic PS3 and PSP in-game consoles with generic variants
The Nintendo Switch versions of Metal Gear Solid 4, included in the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol 2, have replaced PlayStation-specific consoles and controllers with generic variants. References to the PlayStation 3, PSP, and DualShock 3 controllers have been altered or removed, with a Kerotan frog appearing in place of the PS3 on some versions. While PC and other console versions retain the original PlayStation branding, these changes on Nintendo platforms are speculated to be a requirement from Nintendo.
Banned In 2003, Back In 2027: Postal 2 Redux Blends The Boys With John Wick
Postal 2 Redux, a modern remake of the controversial 2003 shooter, is set for a Q1 2027 release on PC and consoles, funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign. Developed by Flat2VR Studios, the game promises rebuilt graphics, improved AI, and enhanced physics, blending extreme violence reminiscent of 'The Boys' with John Wick-style gunplay. The article speculates on potential bans in various countries due to the game's graphic content.
EA staff fear new Saudi Arabia owners will police their games: "Projects just won't get signed because they don't align explicitly with what the Saudi government wants"
Employees at Electronic Arts are concerned that the company's new owners, primarily Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, will impose content restrictions based on the country's standards. Staff fear that projects may not be approved if they do not align with the Saudi government's views, particularly regarding social issues like LGBT representation, which is criminalized in Saudi Arabia. Despite reassurances from EA, employees find the responses unsatisfactory and worry about job security and creative freedom.
Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 2 has apparently removed MGS4’s PS3 on Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch
Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 2, launching August 27, 2026, for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, appears to have removed references to the PlayStation 3 in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. While the original game featured a PlayStation 3 console and a line referencing its Blu-ray disc, the Nintendo versions reportedly replace the console with GA-KO figures, sparking speculation about dialogue changes. Konami has also provided details on the games' performance on Nintendo's platforms.
