Chinese anime streamer Bilibili removes hit Pretty Derby game from app stores in China, triggering ‘horse girl’ debate
- Bilibili removed Uma Musume Pretty Derby from Apple and Android app stores on Thursday, prompting speculation about horse imagery promoting gambling
- The temporary removal for ‘technical upgrades’ is a reminder of the risks that remain in China’s tightly controlled video gaming market
Bilibili did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday.
The closure of the game immediately triggered speculation and controversy concerning the game’s content. The female characters with horse ears and tails were said to be evocative of horse racing, which has implications of encouraging gambling activities. Chinese gaming regulations bar the encouragement of illegal activities, making the horse racing element sensitive in China.
The National Press and Publication Administration, the regulatory authority in charge of approving games for sale in the country, did not issue any information about the title, which was among a group of 27 games approved for import in March. China has a rigid screening system for imported games, as foreign titles must be localised by a Chinese partner, which must then apply for a licence to monetise it in the mainland.
Pretty Derby is based on the life stories of so-called horse girls – human girls who possess equine features. Players can train and raise their own horse girls.
