Some Marvel’s Wolverine players have claimed their game has been altered to censor aspects of Mystique’s lesbian relationship and marriage to Tyger. A number of posts on Reddit and social media appear to show how differently the relationship is referenced compared to the uncensored version.
As spotted by Kotaku, one X user shared a screenshot showing how their game has blurred a framed photo of the pair captured on their wedding day. The photo can still be picked up, but it’s entirely blank. A different X user also shared a screenshot of a letter between the couple, which has likewise been entirely blurred so it cannot be read.
The users say the screenshots were captured from the Middle Eastern version of Marvel’s Wolverine. Although there’s no direct evidence of where these images were taken, this Reddit post also features a clip from the game where the dialogue cuts out whenever “wife” is mentioned in the context of Mystique’s relationship. The subtitle further replaces the word with asterisks.
That post is notable as it shows how similar Sony’s attempt at censoring the game is to publishers of other media in the Middle East. The tactic of muting certain words or removing them from subtitles is common in films and TV shows shown in the region. This happens when the subject matter has to do with certain aspects of religion, the word “God”, or same-sex relationships – all of which are no-nos in many countries in the region. If the entire scene can’t be cut, you end up with these modified versions.
Censorship in Middle East versions for mystique/tyger
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Amazon Prime Video’s The Boys show is particularly guilty of that, as one example, especially its final season given the subject matter of Homelander’s ascent to godhood and the show’s references to Jesus Christ. This tactic – at least where streaming shows are concerned – is also not unique to the Middle East; viewers in India have been complaining about it for the last several years.
It’s worth mentioning that Mystique’s relationship with Tyger hasn’t been entirely cut from the game – which would’ve likely taken a lot more work. Instead, any time the relationship is mentioned in the script or referenced through in-game assets, it’s censored in some way. In the uncensored version – without spoiling anything – the two characters’ marriage is central to Mystique’s part of the story, and indeed the nature of Mystique’s friendship with Wolverine.
It’s also notable that this is not the first game by Insomniac Games and Sony to be censored in certain parts of the world. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 was modified prior to its release in Saudi Arabia to remove LGBTQ+ references, such as the Pride Flag and a side mission featuring a gay couple.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Media Regulation, the country’s media rating board, announced in September 2023 the game had been classified “after the publishing studio approved the requested modifications” albeit without saying what those modifications were.
Though a different publisher, many within EA have raised concerns about the company’s recent acquisition by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), and how it could change the publisher’s identity. EA has long had LGBTQ+ characters in its games and tackled themes of same-sex romance on many occasions. The Sims series is especially beloved by many in the LGBTQ+ community for its progressive treatment of characters and for recognising same-sex relationships, and there’s a real worry a Saudi-owned EA won’t be allowed to do any of that.
As for the case of Marvel’s Wolverine, Eurogamer has contacted Sony for comment.
