Is Fallout 4 Legal in China? Unveiling the Truth
The short and direct answer is: Yes, Fallout 4 is legal in China. Despite the stringent censorship policies that often dictate the availability of foreign media in the country, Fallout 4 was never officially banned, nor was it pre-assessed by Chinese censors before its release. This might seem surprising given China’s reputation for closely monitoring and regulating imported content. However, the reality is more nuanced and reveals a lot about how China’s media regulations function, particularly in the realm of video games.
The Surprising Case of Fallout 4 in China
Many assume that all foreign media, including video games, are subjected to rigorous pre-release scrutiny in China. This involves a thorough examination for elements deemed politically sensitive, morally objectionable, or culturally inappropriate by the Chinese government. These elements often include things like depictions of drugs, sexuality, blood, organized crime, or any material that could be construed as defamation of the Chinese government. It’s a common belief that any media that doesn’t adhere to these standards would be banned outright.
However, Fallout 4 slipped through the cracks of this perceived blanket ban. It was not assessed, and it was not banned. There are a few key reasons why this happened. The first is the nature of the game itself. Fallout 4 is a single-player, narrative-driven experience, and the Chinese government generally shows less interest in censoring or banning these types of games. The focus of their regulatory efforts tends to be on online multiplayer games which have more potential for real-time interaction and unchecked communication amongst players.
The second reason is that Fallout’s core themes and setting, while featuring violence and mature themes, do not focus on subjects that directly clash with China’s political or social standards. Despite depicting a post-apocalyptic scenario where the United States and China are the main antagonists, the game’s setting is more akin to a satire of American society and American cultural anxieties of the mid-20th century. This satirical focus, rather than an overtly political statement, likely played a part in allowing it to avoid the censor’s radar.
It’s also worth noting that Fallout’s mobile games have been legally operated in China too. This further highlights that it’s not the franchise as a whole that is under scrutiny but rather certain types of games and content.
Contrasting with Other Countries
The lack of a ban in China stands in stark contrast to other countries that have had issues with the Fallout series. For instance, Australia banned a previous Fallout game due to its reference to the drug “morphine”. The game rewarded players for using the drug, which led to concerns over the encouragement of drug use. To address this, Bethesda eventually renamed “morphine” to “Med-X” worldwide, demonstrating how international standards can affect game content on a global scale.
Similarly, Fallout 3 faced censorship issues in Germany due to its violent content. Initially, Germany imposed a de facto ban on the game, eventually allowing a censored version to be sold. This shows that even in countries with high ratings standards, video games can still be altered or even banned.
Why Fallout’s Content Doesn’t Clash With China
While Fallout 4 is a violent game set in a post-apocalyptic world where the United States and China destroyed each other in a nuclear war, the game’s portrayal of the conflict is not interpreted as an outright political statement by China. The game is built upon a retrofuturistic vision of 1950s America, creating a satire of the culture rather than directly criticizing China itself.
In addition, the conflict is depicted as an event in the past, with no suggestion that China is the current antagonist. While the nuclear war of the Fallout universe leaves both the United States and China as nuclear wastelands, the game does not focus on the current political stance or ongoing conflict between the two nations.
The Fallout series is steeped in American culture and satire of American society, as the franchise itself is rooted in a distinctly American Western experience. This focus on American society has meant that the game’s central themes have not triggered any specific alarm with the Chinese government.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Fallout and China
To provide you with a more comprehensive understanding of Fallout’s presence in China and related topics, here are 15 frequently asked questions:
1. Did China get nuked in Fallout?
Yes, in the Fallout universe, both China and the United States were devastated by a nuclear exchange on October 23, 2077. Within two hours, the cities of both nations were destroyed by nuclear fireballs, resulting in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
2. Why is Fallout only set in America?
Fallout’s unique setting is deeply rooted in American culture and is designed to be a satire of American society, combined with an American Western trope. Pulling these themes out of this specific context would greatly diminish their impact and authenticity.
3. Is there nuclear fallout in Japan?
While Japan was not a primary target of nuclear strikes in the Fallout universe, real-world radiation levels in Hiroshima and Nagasaki are currently at safe, background levels and have no effect on human bodies.
4. Is China okay in the Fallout universe?
No, in the universe of Fallout, China is a nuclear wasteland and most likely a huge depression on the Earth due to all the nukes detonating on its surface. There may be remnants of the Chinese government/military just like the Enclave in the US, but they are not directly detailed within the game’s narrative.
5. Who nuked the US first in Fallout?
According to lore, China initiated the nuclear attacks in retaliation to continuous experimentation by the United States with a bio-weapon called FEV, despite the practice being deemed illegal.
6. Were there other countries that were nuked in Fallout?
In the Fallout world, besides the US and China, the European Commonwealth (likely France and the UK) also nuked the Middle East roughly two decades prior to the main events of the series.
7. Is Mexico in Fallout?
Yes, Mexico is mentioned in several Fallout games and the Fallout Bible, indicating its presence within the universe’s lore.
8. Is Fallout 4 set in the 40s or 50s?
Fallout’s setting is in the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd centuries but it heavily draws from 1940s and 1950s aesthetics and culture. Much of the music and overall style reference post-war United States, giving it an atompunk retrofuturistic feel.
9. Was Fallout 3 banned in Germany?
Initially, Fallout 3 was banned in Germany due to its violent content, eventually leading to a censored version being sold in the country. This ban has since been lifted.
10. What games are usually banned in China?
Games that depict drugs, sexuality, blood, organized crime, or defamation of the Chinese government are usually banned. Many studios edit the content of their games to comply with these standards to release them in China.
11. Is Fallout 4 rated 18?
Yes, Fallout 4 is rated 18+ due to its exceptionally violent nature. The game features first- and third-person combat with guns, swords, explosives, and other weapons.
12. What is Fallout a parody of?
Fallout is primarily a parody of the post-World War II United States during the Cold War era. It exaggerates the fears of nuclear war and the culture of that time, set in a post-apocalyptic world.
13. Is Fallout 76 suitable for a 14 year old?
No, Fallout 76 is rated PEGI 18 due to its frequent strong violence and strong language, making it unsuitable for anyone under that age.
14. Is Florida in Fallout?
Yes, a DLC for Fallout 4 is set in Florida and allows the player to explore the post-apocalyptic version of the state, including areas like Sunshine Cove.
15. Is Fallout 5 coming out?
Yes, it has been confirmed by Todd Howard that Fallout 5 will be Bethesda’s next project after The Elder Scrolls 6, although no release date has yet been revealed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Fallout 4 is not banned in China and is legally available for sale. Its lack of pre-assessment by censors highlights a nuanced aspect of Chinese media regulation, focusing more on multiplayer games and avoiding games that primarily satirize American culture rather than directly criticizing the Chinese government. This allows players in China to experience the post-apocalyptic world of Fallout 4, just like gamers elsewhere in the world.