• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 02:47
CEST 08:47
KST 15:47
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
Team Liquid Map Contest #22: Results and Winners7Code S Season 2 (2026): RO4 and Finals Preview12TL.net Map Contest #22 - Voting & Ladder Map Selection7Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO8 Preview5[ASL21] Finals Preview: Two Legacies21
Community News
Weekly Cups (June 8-14): Clem and Solar double, PTR tested0RSL: S6 Finals played at BlizzCon 20268Douyu Cup 2026: $20,000 Legends Event (June 26-28)10[BSL22] Non-Korean Championship from 13 to 28 June4Weekly Cups (May 25-31): Clem doubles, 2v2 circuit heads toward finale0
StarCraft 2
General
RSL: S6 Finals played at BlizzCon 2026 TL Poll: How do you feel about the 5.0.16 PTR balance changes? Weekly Cups (June 8-14): Clem and Solar double, PTR tested Team Liquid Map Contest #22: Results and Winners High level ptr replays? where can I find them?
Tourneys
Douyu Cup 2026: $20,000 Legends Event (June 26-28) Maestros of The Game 2 announcement and schedule ! Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament Sea Duckling Open (Global, Bronze-Diamond) GSL Code S Season 2 (2026)
Strategy
[G] Having the right mentality to improve
Custom Maps
[D]RTS in all its shapes and glory <3
External Content
Mutation # 530 One For All The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 529 Opportunities Unleashed Mutation # 528 Infection Detected
Brood War
General
Where is EffOrt? BW General Discussion BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ vespene.gg — BW replays in browser Quality of life changes in BW that you will like ?
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues [ASL21] Grand Finals [BSL22] Grand Finals - Sunday 21:00 CEST Escore Tournament StarCraft Season 2
Strategy
Relatively freeroll strategies Creating a full chart of Zerg builds Why doesn't anyone use restoration? Any training maps people recommend?
Other Games
General Games
ZeroSpace Megathread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Path of Exile Nintendo Switch Thread PC Games Sales Thread
Dota 2
Looking for a Dota Mentor Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug
TL Mafia
Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
UK Politics Mega-thread US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Trading/Investing Thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
The HerO Fan Club! The herO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
Movie Discussion! [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books [TV/BOOK] *SPOILERS* Game of Thrones Discussion [Manga] One Piece
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 Formula 1 Discussion Cricket [SPORT] NBA General Discussion
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread Facing Challenges in Mobile App Development
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Does Workplace Frustration D…
TrAiDoS
An Exploration of th…
waywardstrategy
I'm an arrogant trash talke…
FlaShFTW
Gauntlet SC2: A Retrospectiv…
Ctone23
Why RTS gamers make better f…
gosubay
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 9465 users

Starcraft II: Censorship, Communism, China - Page 3

Forum Index > News
134 CommentsPost a Reply
Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next All
CongoJack
Profile Joined February 2009
Canada417 Posts
July 23 2009 17:29 GMT
#41
Ya thanks Emlary this was a very good read.
citi.zen
Profile Joined April 2009
2509 Posts
July 23 2009 17:30 GMT
#42
The issue is not so much communism as totalitarianism. These stories about the gaming industry are sad but tiny compared to other examples. Take the Rio Tinto scandal now: China jailed executives of a huge global company on made-up accusations of "spying". [story ]
Aut viam inveniam, aut faciam.
lwstupidus
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
United States74 Posts
July 23 2009 17:32 GMT
#43
On July 24 2009 01:41 Magic84 wrote:
I can't help but look at China positively overall.

What they do hurts only free time of youth and teenagers. Their freedoms regarding gaming, internet browsing, getting entertainments from western cultures are weak. But young time better spent other way imo (even if you live in s.korea), better spent being socially active. I sure don't see their politics direction as a tragedy. The society may benefit overall producing it's own entertainment and staying inside it's own culture.

China is becoming a monster with economy, science, sports. Very fast. Limited entertainment freedoms among teens is worthy enough price if it actually adds to the growth.


Agree with this guy, in fact, any time spent during leisure activities is stupid and only detrimental to scholarly pursuits.
a penne saved is a penne earned
Strayline
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
United States330 Posts
July 23 2009 17:35 GMT
#44
Good read OP, thanks.
omninmo
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
2349 Posts
July 23 2009 17:39 GMT
#45
On July 24 2009 01:16 Carnivorous Sheep wrote:
I don't see how communism fits into any of this.

Whenever news like this about China pops up, you get a million people saying "god I hate communism," when it's obvious they have no real grasp on what communism is and how it fits in to this. (protip, it really doesn't)

China has strayed so far from communism without going into a system like the western world that it really is its own unique system. It's not democratic, anyone can tell you that, but it is also nothing like communism as outlined by Marx, nor like the state of the USSR.

So communism isn't causing the censorship of SCII in China, it's the really weird and mostly retarded system that China has of dealing with foreign stuff that is.


this man speaks the truth.
baubo
Profile Joined September 2008
China3370 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-07-23 17:45:59
July 23 2009 17:42 GMT
#46
Meh. In the end, it doesn't really matter because almost no Chinese will ever bother with a legit copy. Most don't have the money(normal middle-class salaryman makes around $150 a month). And the few rich kids will have parents making them study 24/7 before college anyway. While there are plenty of Chinese people have money, most of the people who buy videogames DO NOT. You can sell genuine, fully loaded hummers and Lincolns in China, but it's laughable to think any American video game will sell well outside of HK, Taiwan, and maybe select cities in the south.

Btw, using # of subscriptions for WoW is misleading, because Chinese users don't pay the ridiculous monthly fee of Americans. They go by hours. I checked a website that says 30RMB, or ~4 dollars, per 66 hours, which seems about right. The prices are vastly different because, once again, the average Chinese gamer just can't afford the regular monthly subscription.

Basically, Blizzard shouldn't worry too much about the market until video game players start making decent money.

Edit: I wish people would stop detract the thread with Communism bashing. It's not relevant. And most people here don't know enough about the topic to comment on it. I would point out all the inaccuracies, but it would further detract the thread.
Meh
Eury
Profile Joined December 2008
Sweden1126 Posts
July 23 2009 17:42 GMT
#47
On July 24 2009 02:32 lwstupidus wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 24 2009 01:41 Magic84 wrote:
I can't help but look at China positively overall.

What they do hurts only free time of youth and teenagers. Their freedoms regarding gaming, internet browsing, getting entertainments from western cultures are weak. But young time better spent other way imo (even if you live in s.korea), better spent being socially active. I sure don't see their politics direction as a tragedy. The society may benefit overall producing it's own entertainment and staying inside it's own culture.

China is becoming a monster with economy, science, sports. Very fast. Limited entertainment freedoms among teens is worthy enough price if it actually adds to the growth.


Agree with this guy, in fact, any time spent during leisure activities is stupid and only detrimental to scholarly pursuits.


Why are you on this forum then?
theqat
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
United States2856 Posts
July 23 2009 17:44 GMT
#48
On July 24 2009 02:42 baubo wrote:

Btw, using # of subscriptions for WoW is misleading, because Chinese users don't pay the ridiculous monthly fee of Americans. They go by hours. I checked a website that says 30RMB, or ~4 dollars, per 66 hours, which seems about right. The prices are vastly different because, once again, the average Chinese gamer just can't afford the regular monthly subscription.


This point was addressed in this thread--even though something like 33% of WOW subscriptions are Chinese, only 7% of WOW revenue comes from China
eshlow
Profile Joined June 2008
United States5210 Posts
July 23 2009 17:48 GMT
#49
TY. Very good read and insightful.
Overcoming Gravity: A Systematic Approach to Gymnastics and Bodyweight Strength
orgolove
Profile Blog Joined April 2009
Vatican City State1650 Posts
July 23 2009 17:48 GMT
#50
Man.

All of you in this thread (AND the other thread) who are singing China's praises...


If you weren't being paid by the Chinese government, would you REALLY prefer living under the Chinese system rather than the American system?
초대 갓, 이영호 | First God, Lee Young Ho
emucxg
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
Finland4559 Posts
July 23 2009 17:52 GMT
#51
I expect all Chinese will rush to Korean/Taiwanese (even American/European) SC2 server when SC2 is released =/

GL/HF
Vsepr
Profile Joined July 2009
United States2 Posts
July 23 2009 17:52 GMT
#52
Government relation is important for business everywhere, but especially important in China. If the government don't like you, they can find the most absurd reason you can imagine to kick you out.


That is so true.
The problem with having a nation that's 1.3 billion is that since there are so many people to control:
1) you cannot construct enough pylons, spawn enough overlords, and there won't be space for supply depots.
2) The bureaucracy is too bulky and inefficient, allowing corruption to run rampant. Almost everyone in China who is in the middle or upper class can find a friend of a friend of a friend who works in one of the Ministries or local government offices. This leads to what is now known as "grey income", shady business that is NOT looked down upon because it happens so frequently.

If u are a company seeking a slice of the market in china, chances are, you'd have to bribe your way in, or know a lot of upper gov't officials (i.e. get their kids a high position in ur company or send them to Harvard). the problem Blizzard faces is piracy and enforcement of copyright laws.
There are laws, but the gov't just CAN'T follow through with it. too many people are using pirated software, and the best hackers either get locked down by the gov't or they get hired (to hack other nations, like S.Korea). and usuallly it's the latter cuz the gov't pays well.

I mean, i was walking in a market in Shanghai, and I saw windows XP selling for just under $1. cracked, product key included. that's where i get all my dvd's, u don't go to the theatres to watch movies, you go to the streets and buy them off a dude with a box of them. that goes under what is known as "grey income".

same goes for trying to SELL starcraftII in china, sooner or later, someone's gonna crack it, and soon everyone in china who wants SCII gets SCII.

i just finished talking about the people of china, as for the government, imagine this:
a schizophrenic old grandpa who controls everything, blind to everyone else's opinions.
now imagine trying to convince him to let u into his house.

if blizzard doesn't adapt to the small-transaction free MMO market, some other company will go ahead and take SCII and make people pay to, say, play in leagues, or host games.
And if that company happens to have been started in China, the chinese government will side with that company every time blizzard files a lawsuit.

don't try to change china, just play with it and enjoy the $8 trillion, 11.9% GDP
turn around, my pet lurker is right behind u
baubo
Profile Joined September 2008
China3370 Posts
July 23 2009 17:54 GMT
#53
On July 24 2009 02:44 theqat wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 24 2009 02:42 baubo wrote:

Btw, using # of subscriptions for WoW is misleading, because Chinese users don't pay the ridiculous monthly fee of Americans. They go by hours. I checked a website that says 30RMB, or ~4 dollars, per 66 hours, which seems about right. The prices are vastly different because, once again, the average Chinese gamer just can't afford the regular monthly subscription.


This point was addressed in this thread--even though something like 33% of WOW subscriptions are Chinese, only 7% of WOW revenue comes from China


You might want to reread that portion again. Because that's not the numbers I read. The OP assumes China accounts for 5%, with HK, Taiwan, and other Asian countries making up 2% of revenue. I was only questioning this assumption, because I feel it's way too high given my understanding of the economic situation in China.

Of course, if the numbers prove correct, I'd gladly take back my statement, since I'd feel that 5% of the total WoW market is relevant. And that given the extreme popularity of DoTA in China, it's not unthinkable that SC2 could make some dough here.
Meh
broz0rs
Profile Joined July 2008
United States2294 Posts
July 23 2009 17:55 GMT
#54
the only effective way to do business in china is to know politicians and do business the chinese way: give gifts and cash. a lot of the policies are reactionary, because the politicians feel that there's an opportunity to be made, especially with Blizzard being one of the largest, most profitable game companies in the world. they're not stupid.

also regarding world of warcraft, Blizzard's service in China is two years behind. they are still on the Burning Crusade expansion. They are able to charge very little for WoW, because they are selling an old game in China.

If Blizzard can not deal with the Chinese market, they either need to get out or adjust their product to meet Chinese regulations. This adjustment comes with making their product cheaper and less up to date than what the rest of the world gets.
Emlary
Profile Blog Joined December 2002
China3334 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-07-23 17:57:14
July 23 2009 17:55 GMT
#55
On July 24 2009 02:42 baubo wrote:
normal middle-class salaryman makes around $150 a month.


$150 = RMB1000

Are you kidding me? Middle-class salaryman makes RMB1000 a month? To be a middle-class, you have to at least make RMB80,000 a month (around one million RMB = $140,000 a year) in my opinion.

First year college graduates make $200 to $1,000 per month in China, depending on what kind of job they take.
No more SKT1, it's SKP2.
Vision
Profile Joined June 2009
United States113 Posts
July 23 2009 17:57 GMT
#56
On July 24 2009 02:32 lwstupidus wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 24 2009 01:41 Magic84 wrote:
I can't help but look at China positively overall.

What they do hurts only free time of youth and teenagers. Their freedoms regarding gaming, internet browsing, getting entertainments from western cultures are weak. But young time better spent other way imo (even if you live in s.korea), better spent being socially active. I sure don't see their politics direction as a tragedy. The society may benefit overall producing it's own entertainment and staying inside it's own culture.

China is becoming a monster with economy, science, sports. Very fast. Limited entertainment freedoms among teens is worthy enough price if it actually adds to the growth.


Agree with this guy, in fact, any time spent during leisure activities is stupid and only detrimental to scholarly pursuits.


What the hell is the point of living if you don't do what you like? I hope your being sarcastic, otherwise you are the biggest idiot i've seen in a while.
Let's unite the blizzard community! But you can't actually talk to eachother..... - Luca
DivinO
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
United States4796 Posts
July 23 2009 18:00 GMT
#57
Thanks for the wonderful insight.

Well written. I will be vacationing to China next month...and I guess I'll report back with findings?
LiquipediaBrain in my filth.
theqat
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
United States2856 Posts
July 23 2009 18:03 GMT
#58
On July 24 2009 02:54 baubo wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 24 2009 02:44 theqat wrote:
On July 24 2009 02:42 baubo wrote:

Btw, using # of subscriptions for WoW is misleading, because Chinese users don't pay the ridiculous monthly fee of Americans. They go by hours. I checked a website that says 30RMB, or ~4 dollars, per 66 hours, which seems about right. The prices are vastly different because, once again, the average Chinese gamer just can't afford the regular monthly subscription.


This point was addressed in this thread--even though something like 33% of WOW subscriptions are Chinese, only 7% of WOW revenue comes from China


You might want to reread that portion again. Because that's not the numbers I read. The OP assumes China accounts for 5%, with HK, Taiwan, and other Asian countries making up 2% of revenue. I was only questioning this assumption, because I feel it's way too high given my understanding of the economic situation in China.

Of course, if the numbers prove correct, I'd gladly take back my statement, since I'd feel that 5% of the total WoW market is relevant. And that given the extreme popularity of DoTA in China, it's not unthinkable that SC2 could make some dough here.


Their 2008 SEC filing gives $1,152,000,000 in revenue from MMORPGs (basically, WOW). It's not inconceivable that a mere $57,600,000 of that comes from China
broz0rs
Profile Joined July 2008
United States2294 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-07-23 18:05:14
July 23 2009 18:03 GMT
#59
On July 24 2009 02:54 baubo wrote:And that given the extreme popularity of DoTA in China, it's not unthinkable that SC2 could make some dough here.


you bring an interesting point. I traveled to many parts of Asia such as Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, and China. I always go to PC game rooms in these countries. DoTA is the most popular game in the places I been to.

But your statement is the problem: DoTA is not profitable. It's a modded game that is essentially free to play. In all the mentioned countries, DoTA or any other Blizzard games are played on private servers. And let's not be naive here, no one buys WC3 or SC in Asia. Blizzard doesn't make a penny off their old games in Asian countries.

lol fuck it, I think it will be stupid for Blizzard to release SC2 in China.
Liquid`Jinro
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
Sweden33719 Posts
July 23 2009 18:04 GMT
#60
Excellent read, thanks for sharing :O
Moderatortell the guy that interplanatar interaction is pivotal to terrans variety of optionitudals in the pre-midgame preperatories as well as the protosstinal deterriggation of elite zergling strikes - Stimey n | Formerly FrozenArbiter
Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
OSC
00:00
Mid Season Playoffs
ByuN vs Shameless
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
Nina 115
StarCraft: Brood War
Britney 29529
Sea 7053
Rain 2657
BeSt 627
Tasteless 265
Mind 56
ZergMaN 20
soO 20
Noble 19
Bale 17
[ Show more ]
Icarus 9
Dota 2
NeuroSwarm133
League of Legends
JimRising 672
Counter-Strike
summit1g8883
Super Smash Bros
Mew2King89
Heroes of the Storm
Trikslyr51
Other Games
Day[9].tv1371
PiGStarcraft931
WinterStarcraft572
Happy86
Sick77
RuFF_SC230
Liquid`Ken19
Liquid`RaSZi17
Organizations
Dota 2
PGL Dota 2 - Secondary Stream1869
Other Games
gamesdonequick828
StarCraft: Brood War
lovetv 27
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
[ Show 15 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Berry_CruncH273
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
League of Legends
• Rush1263
• Lourlo1235
• Stunt578
Other Games
• Day9tv1371
Upcoming Events
PiGosaur Cup
17h 13m
Replay Cast
1d 2h
The PondCast
2 days
OSC
2 days
CranKy Ducklings
3 days
GSL
4 days
Maru vs ShoWTimE
Classic vs Reynor
herO vs Lambo
Solar vs Clem
BSL22 NKC (BSL vs China)
4 days
XuanXuan vs Jaystar
Mihu vs Messiah
eOnzErG vs Dewalt
Bonyth vs Jaystar
TerrOr vs Messiah
XuanXuan vs Mihu
eOnzErG vs Jaystar
Replay Cast
4 days
GSL
5 days
Patches Events
5 days
[ Show More ]
BSL22 NKC (BSL vs China)
5 days
Dewalt vs Messiah
Bonyth vs Mihu
TerrOr vs XuanXuan
eOnzErG vs Messiah
Jaystar vs Mihu
Dewalt vs XuanXuan
Bonyth vs TerrOr
Replay Cast
5 days
WardiTV Weekly
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2026-06-15
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Heroes Pulsing #1

Ongoing

IPSL Spring 2026
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 2
Acropolis #4
CSCL: Masked Kings S4
YSL S3
BSL 22 Non-Korean Championship
SCTL 2026 Spring
Maestros of the Game 2
WardiTV Spring 2026
Murky Cup 2026
Heroes Pulsing #2
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1

Upcoming

CSL 2026 Summer (S21)
CSLAN 4
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
RSL Revival: Season 6
CranK Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League
HSC XXIX
Douyu Cup 2026
BCC 2026
Heroes Pulsing #3
BLAST Open Fall 2026
Esports World Cup 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer Qual
Stake Ranked Episode 3
XSE Pro League 2026
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.