The PC version of the upcoming South Park: The Stick of Truth will be censored in Germany, Australia, Hong Kong, Austria, Singapore and Taiwan, at least according to digital retailer Get Games. The censoring, however, isn’t as a result of the governments of these countries requesting it. Oh no.
It’s being censored by Ubisoft, so the game has more chance of higher sales in countries that have strict laws about video games if governments don’t have an excuse to ban it or slap an ‘over 18’ label on it.
So what is being censored from South Park: The Stick of Truth? A couple of scenes where abortions are performed on South Park characters, and five scenes where an anal probe occurs.In other words, pretty typical South Park scenarios.
Bizarrely, however, while the scenes won’t be shown in the PC game in Germany, Australia, Hong Kong, Austria, Singapore and Taiwan, the scenes will still be described with on-screen text.
Now that, to me, is even more bizarre and weird than the scenes themselves, and highly likely to piss off gamers in the six countries that will be affected
Thankfully, I live in Thailand where games are not censored or banned, and originally come from the UK where South Park: Stick of Truth will also be released in its entirety. So, no matter which country I’m in when I buy the game, I will be able to get the full version.
Thank God for freedom of speech and expression is all I can say. Something Germany, Australia, Hong Kong, Austria, Singapore and Taiwan should learn a little more about.
I am a Brit-American journalist, former radio DJ at 97X WOXY, and Founder/CEO of Leo Sigh. I’m also obsessed with music, anime, manga, and K-dramas. Help!