Religion

Takeaway:
Religion may not be a prominent talking point in China, but
abroad it can be a very sensitive topic. Be sure to study the market!

Religion is a sensitive point in several cultures and may deeply offend people. A good rule of thumb is to avoid depicting any real-world religions in games or marketing material and to pay particular attention to religious symbols to avoid.

**Please be sure to check the Gestures & Symbols page to see a list of symbols that should be avoided in different countries, since every culture has symbols to avoid.

Who Said That? The Speaker Issue

One thing we must always keep in mind is: The audience attributes different values and judgements depending on the speaker's political, cultural, and historical backgrounds.

When it comes to culture and religion, NetEase will always be an outsider in a foreign market. When locals do something, it may be understood as "cultural self-criticism" or "reflections on contemporary customs," but it may come across differently when it is done by a foreigner.

In some cases, this position could mitigate damage, with a "forgive them, they don't know what they are doing" attitude, whereas in others, there may be a harsher reaction for a similar reason, as in "they are trying to impose their values on us," or "they are talking about things they don't really understand." Consider how you might react differently if a Chinese person was commenting on Chinese politics versus someone from another country.

The takeaway is since we are at a disadvantage because we are not locals in an overseas market, we must do everything we can to mitigate risks.

Taboo Foods

When creating content, be aware that certain foods are considered taboo depending on religious practices. When possible, be aware of the food being served or depicted, since those in the target region may be offended.

As you can see in the chart compiled by the Fish Interfaith Center at Chapman University, the types of food permitted per religious practice vary.

When in doubt, reach out to a linguist for more context on what would be considered sensitive!

How Can Religious Taboos Appear in Our Games?

SYMBOLOGY

Misusing the Star of David (Judaism) as a pentagram
In many Christian countries, 666 is a number associated with the Devil
Depicting a burning cross, which has been used as a symbol for the Ku Klux Klan
Using the swastika, which though originally Buddhist, was later adopted by Nazi Germany and is now mainly associated with WWII and the Holocaust

SACRILEGE

Using religious people, like nuns and priests, for sensual or comedic effect
Excessive use of the word "god" in skins, achievements, and weapons. In many religions, the word "god" cannot be used in commonplace or everyday settings
Visually representing religious figures in regions where this is taboo (such as depicting the Prophet Mohammad in Islamic regions)
Depicting religious texts getting ripped apart or stepped upon (such as in Call of Duty, which showed soldiers stepping on pages of the Quran)
Using the word "mythology": Mythology is a dangerous word, as in some contexts it implies that a religion is not real. It's commonplace and fine to refer to Nordic or Greek belief systems as mythologies because there are no contemporary believers. However, saying that about Hindu or African beliefs still practiced to this day will very likely offend people.
Depicting sacred animals or people in a negative light

OTHERS

Accidentally taking a standpoint in religious controversy, e.g. making content that comments on Creationism or suggests that beliefs about the origin of the universe are incorrect. A good rule of thumb is to just make sure the internal world-building of your game is consistent!
Using holiday-specific greetings in marketing material or material unrelated to a holiday event. For instance, instead of "Merry Christmas," use "Season's Greetings" or "Happy Holidays"

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