Battlefield 4 (ZhanDi4) Banned In China Over Controversial DLC

Battlefield 4 has been banned in China after the release of the China Rising DLC. According to Techie News, the Chinese government accused Electronic Arts, publisher of the first-person shooter, for creating a form of cultural invasion.

China Rising is Battlefield 4's first expansion. Set on the Chinese mainland, it contains new maps, modes, vehicles, assignments, and weapons and follows the fictional story of Admiral Chang, who wants to overthrow the government.

Battlefield 4 Banned In China Over Controversial DLC

and from another article

According to SlashGear, the Chinese Ministry wants the game removed from physical shelves as quickly as possible, as well as all local online vendors. The Chinese ministry also wants the game uninstalled from consoles and PCs, as the game is now deemed illegal.

The Chinese Ministry claims that Battlefield 4 is "an illegal game, with content that endangers national security, and is all about a cultural invasion. Battlefield 4 relevant available downloads, patches, news, and other requirements [shall be] deleted within 24 hours."

Source

Seems like China is on a roll with banning things just lately, last month its was Bitcoin transactions and now its one of the best FPS games on the market. This seems like a very harsh move as in the storyline of the game at the beginning China and the US are at odds and then they team up to fight a common enemy.

Its rare a country bans a game these days but in my experience it just tends to make the game more popular.

reply to post by PhoenixOD


Yeah because game developers are in the know on how to dismantle countries with a video game and don't want to sell it in one of the largest countries on the planet. China should be proud that they are being included in games. You don't see America complaining about games involving America getting taken out by terrorists (COD Ghosts) (Splinter Cell 5) (total war) and lots of other Clancy-esque games. So what its a game, I wonder who it is in the Chinese administration that plays games for the government? More then likely that guy just sucked and got rocked by American players and that dude said the hell with it no one plays lol

TBH, I was a bit disgusted by this China Rising DLC. It's typical for these shooters to find and ridicule other countries and the goal to destroy them. When I was young, it were always the Russians. After 9/11, we were killing Arabs. And now with the Chinese booming, we're killing them too. Next will be India and Brazil no doubt.

Is china pretending that its government is not corrupt (like everyone elses to some degree) and that they do not have an active military?

I dont remember Russia getting mad over Command and Conquer.

Staafke
TBH, I was a bit disgusted by this China Rising DLC. It's typical for these shooters to find and ridicule other countries and the goal to destroy them. When I was young, it were always the Russians. After 9/11, we were killing Arabs. And now with the Chinese booming, we're killing them too. Next will be India and Brazil no doubt.

Explain "ridicule" ? How is DICE ridiculing the Chinese? They are using them as the antagonist in...get this - are you ready for it... A VIDEO GAME; ie: NOT REAL LIFE.

It's just a game, people. Made by a Western country which means, naturally, the foes will typically be something "other" than a Western country.

Also, you do know in this game you can play as the Chinese and KILL Americans? Shock, horror! Do you think the Americans know this?? Will they ban it because it allows you to play as those naughty Chinese??

Good lord, this isn't news, people.

reply to post by Staafke


That's the thing with battle games , there has to be apposing sides.

Well, just my point. Opposing sides. Learn to hate the others. I really hate these sort of low minded "games". They're a form of war porno. Look at all the war games the American military is investing in, giving advice, even adding corrections. It says enough. It's a form of brain wash to make people think war is actually fun. Disgusting.

reply to post by Staafke


Warfare is inherently human, I see games as a form of art, art represents humanity therefore warfare has its place in gaming. Like it or not, it does have an important role in gaming whether you consider it to be good or bad (these definitives are uninspired) FPS and war games are not going anywhere anytime soon.

Staafke
Well, just my point. Opposing sides. Learn to hate the others. I really hate these sort of low minded "games". They're a form of war porno. Look at all the war games the American military is investing in, giving advice, even adding corrections. It says enough. It's a form of brain wash to make people think war is actually fun. Disgusting.

Id say that no brainwashing is needed, 'playing' at war is fun. That's why kids do it, take away their computers and they will just play it in the playground with sticks and home made sound effects.

As for the 'war games' the military do , well thats just a catch phrase that means 'practice war'. Its called 'war games' so the public dont get freaked out, theres no link to computer games.

Banning a video game for it's story line?

That's akin to banning books you know?

That should put it into more accurate perspective for what is really going on.

Staafke
Well, just my point. Opposing sides. Learn to hate the others. I really hate these sort of low minded "games". They're a form of war porno. Look at all the war games the American military is investing in, giving advice, even adding corrections. It says enough. It's a form of brain wash to make people think war is actually fun. Disgusting.

Are you daft or simply ignorant?

I'd say ignorant of the facts. There have been many studies on violence in video games and none of those has shown any link between video game playing and violence. There is nothing about this DLC or any other game that makes anyone want to go out and hate Real people. The facts are Not on your side. Do some research.

You got kids? You dont let them play cowboys and Indians?

Whatever, warmongering fan boys.

I got my copy on 360, and the expansion with my Premium upgrade, just as I did when BF3 was released. As far as the ban is concerned, I think it's a little ridiculous to claim that a video game could be detrimental to their national security. Seems like just another example of the PRC attempting to control what their people have access to, especially when it is something that might paint their country in a negative light. Regardless of the content, to assume that anyone will view the content as anything other than a completely fictional form of entertainment is beyond absurd. Considering that the principal conflicts in the game center around The War of 2020, maybe they are scared that the game will become some sort of self fulfilling prophecy in the next few years. At any rate I'm sure this story will only help boost DICE's sales, for both the game and the China Rising expansion. I do find it ironic that China would ban the game in their country, considering all the game discs are manufactured in China.

Side note... if anyone else plays BF4 on 360, and your looking for someone to run with hit me up, Gamertag BadmanSneek.

reply to post by noonebutme


Technically it's not even made by a western company. Sure it is distributed by EA, which is a US company, but the game itself was actually developed by DICE, which is a Swiss company.

reply to post by PhoenixOD


Every time China does this, it makes them look weak. If they wanted to look strong, they would confront it head-on and discuss the merits of the story.

It's strange how out of touch all of our cultures are with each other when it comes to image.

lol lol and one more lol..it's a video game folks. Then again i'd wager the vast majority of those who agree that this warrants a ban never played this game and think it's some sort of american invasion into mainland china killing people and such like a ten year old does on grand theft auto 5. That's what the articles would have you think. Apparently, we don't do research here we just spew out crapola. It's simply one faction vs another faction. Would it be a freaking big deal if we called them Team Red or Team Blue? How about Team X vs Team Z.
Surely one of you champions of freedom would be up at arms over that and arguehow team Z gets the short end of the stick because they're last in the alphabet?


lastly, i repeat NO ONE was up in arms when the game Homefront was released. Where was china/korea/asian resentment when the scenario being played was an utter invasion of North Korean forces into suburban american cities?

In 2027, two years after Korean occupation begins, Robert Jacobs, a former U.S. Marine Corps combat helicopter pilot, is awakened in his apartment in Montrose, Colorado and ordered to a re-education camp in Alaska. Jacobs sees that the Korean troops have seized control of the town, taking potentially valuable residents into custody and executing resistors

source: en.wikipedia.org...(video_game)
further sources: typing "homefront game" in youtube

Staafke
Well, just my point. Opposing sides. Learn to hate the others. I really hate these sort of low minded "games". They're a form of war porno. Look at all the war games the American military is investing in, giving advice, even adding corrections. It says enough. It's a form of brain wash to make people think war is actually fun. Disgusting.

I have been playing computer games since the late 80's and it's done me no harm. In fact, I have been playing BF since the first incarnation years ago and BF4 is the best one yet - it doesn't teach you to hate anyone and as has been correctly alluded to, you can play as the Chinese (in fact, most servers will make you play as both sides on a map).

The game is good, old fashioned fun, nothing more. In fact, I prefer playing as the non-US sides in these games anyway, just for aesthetic reasons really.

You clearly don't know what you're talking about with regards to video games.

LucidFusion
reply to post by noonebutme

 

Technically it's not even made by a western company. Sure it is distributed by EA, which is a US company, but the game itself was actually developed by DICE, which is a Swiss company.

Swedish... Not Swiss...