Diablo IV Launches in China - But It's Censored

An old saying, derived from a play by Alistair Foot and Anthony Marriott, goes, "No sex please, we're British." Paraphrasing this today, we could say, "No blood please, we're Chinese."

This is essentially the core issue concerning Diablo IV, the well-known Action-RPG from Blizzard, on the eve of its debut in China. While we Westerners were able to return to the world of Sanctuary in June 2024, Xi Jinping's compatriots are still awaiting the game's launch, set for next December 12.

The reasons for this delay are numerous, first and foremost China's protectionist policy, which always scrutinizes every foreign production countless times before validating its publication and sale in its territory – lest it promote thoughts and concepts contrary to correct thinking. In the specific case of Diablo IV, the approval arrived last July – as reported on WOWHead – although even then there was talk of some minor modifications Blizzard would have to make to the software before it hit the shelves.

Diablo IV - Xbox Series X

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Diablo IV Without Blood or Bones in China

The modifications in question immediately became visible to those who had the opportunity to test the Beta of the Chinese version: for starters, blood has completely disappeared from the game, one of the key elements of the gruesome graphical impact of Blizzard's product, replaced by a kind of dusty brown mist that dissipates over time. Secondly, one of the game's iconic bosses, the Wandering Death, has completely changed its appearance from that of a giant skeleton to a kind of elemental rock creature.

The reason is that, according to Chinese regulations, it is not possible to show anything in video games that is attributable to either dismembered or mutilated bodies, nor occult practices such as necromancy and the reanimation of the dead. Although no specific images have been shown, it is therefore reasonable to imagine that all other skeletons and undead in the game have also been modified accordingly. Many game icons depicting skulls will also undergo the same treatment.

Continuing to overuse idioms, "something is better than nothing": at least now millions of Chinese players will also be able to flock to Diablo IV's servers and slay demons as if there were no tomorrow.

Diablo IV is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S: have you read our Review?