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NetEase Games’ new superhero PvP game Marvel Rivals is another free-to-play multiplayer game out of China. It’s a great game, at least once its “pay-to-win” issues are solved, but it does feature the same hilarious censor work as other games from the region.
Similar to most other games coming out of China, Marvel Rivals bans the phrase “Winnie the Pooh” or even just “Pooh” for certain political reasons.
Marvel Rivals bans Winnie the Pooh
Spotted by numerous players within the new Marvel game, writing “Winnie the Pooh” within game chat will result in the message being censored and flagged as “inappropriate content”.
Despite both Marvel and Winnie the Pooh being iconic Disney properties, references to the iconic yellow bear have to be censored by developer NetEase in Marvel Rivals.
For the unaware, references to the bear have been censored within Chinese games since 2017 after memes compared President XI Jingping with the adorable mascot. Famously, Taiwanese horror game Devotion was removed from sale for featuring an Easter Egg comparing the two.
The ban has affected more than just video games. While books, toys and even theme park rides of Pooh-bear are still allowed in China, some movies have been banned in the region presumably due to their inclusion of the children’s mascot.
As expected, Marvel Rivals is just one game that doesn’t allow players to speak about Winnie the Pooh in its chat. At this point, it’s unsurprising, but it’s still silly. After all, how is being compared to the icon of millions of people’s childhood a bad thing?
The Winnie the Pooh controversy isn’t the only issue plaguing Marvel Rivals right now. Since release, many players have complained about the feeling of progression within the game, and others have become frustrated by the game’s rampant inclusion of bots in multiplayer.
For more news on the popular multiplayer game, check out some leaked characters making their way to the game. On the other hand, you can also look at our current tier list for the title.
About the Author
Marvel Rivals
- Platform(s): macOS, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s): Fighting, Shooter
