The Diablo Immortal Controversy: When a Simple Meme Becomes a Bigger Issue on Twitter

In recent weeks, the gaming community has been abuzz with controversy surrounding Diablo Immortal, a mobile game developed by NetEase and Blizzard Entertainment. The issue at hand is not about the gameplay or graphics of the title, but rather its release in China and the subsequent backlash it faced on social media platforms like Twitter.

For those who may be unfamiliar, Diablo Immortal is a mobile spin-off of the popular Diablo franchise, which has been around since 1996. While the game's release was met with excitement from fans worldwide, Chinese audiences were initially left out due to concerns over its compatibility with local devices and networks.

However, it wasn't until NetEase, the game's developer, posted a statement on Weibo, China's equivalent of Twitter, that things took a turn for the worse. The post, which translates to 'Why hasn’t the bear stepped down?', seemed innocuous enough at first glance. But for those familiar with Chinese politics and internet culture, it was a clear reference to President Xi Jinping, who has been likened to Winnie the Pooh in online memes.

The comparison is not meant as a compliment, as Winnie the Pooh has become a sort of ' forbidden fruit' on the Chinese internet. In 2018, Disney's Christopher Robin film was banned from release in China due to its depiction of the beloved bear, which many saw as a veiled reference to Xi Jinping.

The fallout was swift and severe. NetEase's Weibo account was promptly banned for 'violating relevant laws and regulations', a vague phrase often used by the Chinese government to silence dissenting voices or criticism of its leaders.

As news of the ban spread on Twitter, many users began sharing their thoughts on the matter, with some calling out Blizzard Entertainment and NetEase for bowing to government pressure. Others criticized the Chinese government for its heavy-handed approach to censorship and online control.

The controversy has also drawn parallels to another recent example of government intervention in the gaming industry. In 2019, the Taiwanese horror game Devotion was pulled from Steam after a leftover easter egg was discovered that read 'Xi Jinping Winnie the Pooh moron.' The game's publisher subsequently had its business license revoked by Chinese authorities.

In Diablo Immortal's case, it seems that NetEase has chosen to postpone the game's release indefinitely in China rather than risk further backlash. Whether or not this decision will affect the title's overall success remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the controversy surrounding Diablo Immortal has sparked a wider conversation about online censorship and government control.

As gamers around the world continue to debate the merits of the situation, one question remains: what does it take for a simple meme to become a bigger issue in the eyes of those who hold power?

Diablo immortal controversy twitter