Science & Tech / NewsScience & Tech / NewsChina is banning same-sex relationships in video gamesThe homophobic regulations are part of a wider crackdown on gamingShareLink copied ✔️October 5, 2021October 5, 2021Text Sofia Mahirova China is further clamping down on its video game restrictions by banning in-game portrayals of LGBTQ+ characters and relationships. According to a new government memo acquired by the South China Morning Post, the country has laid out new regulations for video games stating that any “effeminate” male characters, established queer relationships, and characters with “no clear gender” are banned. “If regulators can’t tell the character’s gender immediately, the setting of the characters could be considered problematic and red flags will be raised,” it said. Subsequently, games that give players an option to be a good or an evil character have been deemed as inappropriate. The ban also includes any games that “deliberately provoke controversy” within their plot or gameplay. The new guidelines come as part of a wider government crackdown on gaming. Last month, a law came under effect banning under-18s from playing online games for more than three hours a week. Previously, the country banned the sale of Animal Crossing after activists took to the game as part of the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019. Escape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.TrendingHow Prince almost ended up in The Fifth ElementThe Purple One backed out because Jean Paul Gaultier’s costumes were ‘too effeminate’Arts+CultureMusicThe 5 best songs from Drake’s new albums (plural) OnFashionHow On and Loewe are shaping the future of footwear SamsungLife & CultureWhat went down at Dazed Club’s drop-in skate session with SamsungBeauty10 of the hottest Instagram accounts fusing art, sex and eroticaBeautyThe sexiest flesh-baring Instagram accounts you need to followMusic‘On his Temu era’: The internet reacts to Drake’s three-album drop FashionWhy is Americana everywhere right now?Art & PhotographySex, Clubs, Dissent: This photo book presents a history of queer nightlifeEscape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy