Black Myth: Wukong Imposes Coverage Restrictions on Influencers

Game Science, the developer behind Black Myth: Wukong, has been under scrutiny for a leaked document outlining specific guidelines for influencers and content creators. The document, which was confirmed to be authentic by VideoGames.si and Forbes reporter Paul Tassi, includes a list of dos and don'ts that influencers must adhere to when creating content related to the game. The guidelines prohibit the inclusion of 'politics, violence, nudity, feminist propaganda, fetishisation, and other content that instigates negative discourse.' Additionally, influencers are forbidden from using 'trigger words' such as quarantine, isolation, or covid-19, and are advised to avoid discussing topics related to China's game industry policies. The controversy surrounding the guidelines follows previous accusations of sexist recruitment and social media posts levelled against Game Science. In 2013, the studio's co-founder and lead artist, Yang Qi, sparked debate with a Weibo post suggesting that games for men and women differ due to biological differences. Despite the backlash, neither Game Science nor its marketing partner, Hero Games, has responded to requests for comment.