Diablo 4 is all about high-octane combat, impressive visuals, and rivers of hot, red blood. It’s a game tied inexorably to the occult, the underworld, and the afterlife, known for grotesque monsters, visceral sequences, and intense battles that keep the blood and guts flowing.
That’s why it comes as a surprise to some to learn that Diablo 4’s ‘Chinese version’, which was approved for release a few months ago, has been heavily censored, stripping all traces of blood from the game and replacing some boss characters’ scarier skins with elements much more tame.
Diablo 4 Toned Down in China
Last year, Microsoft and NetEase penned a deal to distribute Blizzard’s games throughout China after leaving the region in 2023. In a drastic move that pushed Blizzard out of China, games like World of Warcraft, Overwatch, and Diablo were rendered unplayable there.
In July, several games were ‘approved’ by China’s National Press and Publication Administration, and one of those games was Diablo 4, the critically acclaimed action RPG title released in 2023.
Now, reports have surfaced that Diablo 4’s Chinese version has been censored, with Blizzard having been forced (assumedly) to remove blood and too much gore from the game. In a post from WOWHead, screenshots were revealed showing a dust-like substance being present in a fight instead of red blood.
Additionally, elements like skulls and bones, common trappings of the underworld, have also been removed. Wandering Death, a boss character made of bones and passed souls, is now made of rocks.
No reason has been provided to explain the changes, but it’s assumed that it’s linked to rules against promoting superstition and the supernatural in China. It’s a cultural point, and the regulatory body wants to remove some of the more volatile depictions of death and decay.
Do you think China should slow down on the censorship, or is it not that deep? Let me know what you’re thinking on the Insider Gaming Discord server.
For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out the news that PlayStation has sold 84 million consoles worldwide
Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
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