Only a few days after the launch on the PC platform “WeGame”, Monster Hunter: World was taken off the market in China. According to the publisher Tencent, the reason lies in complaints from the authorities.
Actually, Tencent had prepared everything for the PC launch of Monster Hunter: World in China. The publisher planned to release the popular Japanese game on their own gaming platform “WeGame” to counter the strong competition from Steam.
The WeGame version of Monster Hunter World even went online a day before the Steam version.
However, Tencent had to completely remove the game from the online store shortly after the launch.
No Monster Hunter: World in China
What happened? After the sale of MHW via “WeGame” was halted on Monday, Tencent issued a statement explaining why the game is no longer available.
According to the publisher, there was a “very large number of complaints” regarding MHW, and the authorities requested the company to remove the game from the store. It was also mentioned that MHW “does not meet the necessary requirements of the relevant rules and regulations”.
Accordingly, the publisher’s license to publish the game has been revoked.
Refund for customers: All buyers of MHW will receive a refund and a voucher of about $5 for the WeGame store from Tencent. Players who wish to keep Monster Hunter: World may do so.
However, Tencent cannot guarantee that they will continue to support the game.
No details on the complaints: It is unclear exactly what the “many complaints” were about and which regulations Monster Hunter: World had violated. The publisher did not provide further details on this.
It is certain that Tencent has incurred financial damage due to the ban, as evidenced by the falling stock prices of the company.
New Media Authority in China
Internal power struggles in the authorities: An anonymous source, who according to the Financial Times is close to the publisher and the platform WeGame, stated that the license withdrawal has nothing to do with Monster Hunter: World itself.
Instead, internal bureaucratic power struggles within the “State Administration of Radio and Television” are said to be responsible for the removal of the game from sale. This authority is responsible for the approval of games for the Chinese market, among other things.
Growth setback of the Chinese market: The claim of the anonymous source may indeed have some truth, as the media authority has not issued any new licenses for game releases in China since March 28.
Whether Monster Hunter: World will see a re-release in the future is also still unknown. In China, players can, however, play it via Steam.
Are you new to Monster Hunter: World on PC? Check out our detailed monster list:
