Sneaking Chinese Roblox Users Over The Firewall

00:12:16
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FbVQ_bpc0o

Summary

TLDRThis video explores the Chinese version of Roblox, called "Luo Bu," which exists because China banned the regular Roblox to comply with local regulations. Luo Bu has different rules, including bans on scary content, political content, and depictions of dead bodies. While some users circumvent these restrictions using legal VPNs, others prefer Luo Bu for its Chinese language environment. An interview conducted in the video further discusses these issues, exploring perspectives on internet censorship and cultural differences. The narrator advocates for more open internet access, criticizing the restrictions on Chinese Roblox users.

Takeaways

  • 🎮 Roblox has a separate Chinese version called "Luo Bu".
  • 🚫 Regular Roblox is banned in China, leading to Luo Bu's creation.
  • 📜 Luo Bu has strict content rules, disallowing scary or political themes.
  • 🛂 Some Chinese users bypass restrictions using legal VPNs.
  • 🗣️ Many Chinese prefer Luo Bu for its shared language environment.
  • 🎤 An interview highlights user perspectives on censorship and gaming.
  • ✈️ The video encourages more open internet access for Chinese gamers.
  • 🧱 Luo Bu restrictions reflect broader issues of censorship in China.
  • 🇹🇼 A Taiwanese view is included to contrast with mainland perspectives.
  • 🤝 Despite differences, common ground exists among gamers globally.

Timeline

  • 00:00:00 - 00:05:00

    The video introduces an official Chinese version of Roblox named 'Luo Bu' which exists due to China's ban on the regular Roblox, pushing the company to make a separate platform compliant with local rules. The unique Chinese version has strict content regulations such as no scary or political content, or any depiction of dead bodies. The narrator discusses why Chinese users might prefer 'Luo Bu', despite access to VPNs that can bypass these restrictions, highlighting language unity as a key reason. The video creator engages with Chinese users and some accompany to international Roblox via VPN. They conduct an interview on a customized stage, exploring Chinese cultural perceptions, the importance of language, and experiences with internet censorship in China.

  • 00:05:00 - 00:12:16

    The interview continues, exploring views on sensitive topics like Taiwan's political status, historical events such as the Great Famine, and the Cultural Revolution, reflecting on differing viewpoints across Chinese mainlanders and Taiwanese. It moves into hypothetical questions about personal freedoms under the Chinese regime. While interviewing a user from Taiwan, mainland Chinese censorship is discussed, highlighting contrasting access to information. Subsequently, the video expresses a desire for Roblox to remove its restrictions for Chinese users to reconnect globally, advocating for freedom of information and expression, reflecting on broader societal issues affecting China, and calling for more understanding and discussion among viewers.

Mind Map

Video Q&A

  • What is the Chinese version of Roblox called?

    The Chinese version of Roblox is called "Luo Bu."

  • Why does China have a different version of Roblox?

    China banned the regular version of Roblox, leading to the creation of "Luo Bu" to comply with local regulations.

  • What are some of the rules for games on Luo Bu?

    Some rules include no scary content, no political content, and no dead bodies in games.

  • Can Chinese users use a VPN to access the international Roblox?

    Yes, Chinese users can use a VPN, which is legal in China, to access the international Roblox.

  • Why do some Chinese prefer Luo Bu despite its restrictions?

    Luo Bu allows users to communicate in Chinese and creates a sense of unity through language.

  • How does internet censorship affect Chinese Roblox users?

    Internet censorship is a challenge, but some users bypass restrictions using VPNs.

  • Where was the interviewee from Taiwan actually residing?

    The interviewee was from Taiwan, which does not have the same internet restrictions as mainland China.

  • Do users find the restricted content on Luo Bu limiting?

    Yes, some users find them limiting and prefer the global version's content.

  • What is the popular game mentioned for the international Roblox users to try?

    The popular game mentioned is "Runker 51."

  • What was the context of the interview held within Roblox?

    The interview was to understand users' perspectives on internet censorship and gaming content differences between versions.

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Subtitles
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  • 00:00:04
    [Mandarin] Hello American
  • 00:00:14
    Did you know
  • 00:00:15
    there's a chinese version of roblox
  • 00:00:17
    not a knockoff
  • 00:00:18
    but an official branch with their own servers
  • 00:00:22
    their own rules
  • 00:00:24
    even their own chat filter
  • 00:00:27
    It's flooding
  • 00:00:31
    My social credit score has just dropped 100 points.
  • 00:00:35
    Going to deputy
  • 00:00:37
    The reason this exists is because
  • 00:00:39
    China has banned regular roblox
  • 00:00:42
    in order to regain access to the Chinese market
  • 00:00:44
    Roblox created a separate version of their platform
  • 00:00:47
    called "Luo Bu"
  • 00:00:48
    And if you want your game to be available on it
  • 00:00:50
    you have to follow this incredibly long list of rules
  • 00:00:53
    which include things like
  • 00:00:54
    NO scary content
  • 00:00:56
    NO content that relates to any political stand or viewpoint
  • 00:01:00
    Oh, here's a fun one
  • 00:01:01
    NO dead human or animal bodies
  • 00:01:18
    This is seriously what you have to go through
  • 00:01:20
    to get your game approved in China
  • 00:01:21
    Why would anyone prefer this over regular roblox
  • 00:01:24
    Why don't Chinese users just get a VPN and bypass the sensors
  • 00:01:28
    Well actually
  • 00:01:28
    they do
  • 00:01:29
    anyone can download a VPN which is legal in china by the way
  • 00:01:33
    and say
  • 00:01:34
    fuck this
  • 00:01:35
    I like seeing dead bodies,
  • 00:01:36
    and blood,
  • 00:01:37
    and scary content
  • 00:01:39
    The main recent chinese user still use "Luo Bu Le Xi"
  • 00:01:42
    is because on "Luo Bu"
  • 00:01:43
    everyone speaks chinese
  • 00:01:45
    everyone's kind of united under the same language
  • 00:01:48
    With a little bit of help
  • 00:01:49
    I was able to gain access to this platform
  • 00:01:51
    and communicate with some of these users
  • 00:01:53
    Some of which
  • 00:01:54
    I was even able to convince to meet me
  • 00:01:56
    on the other side of the great firewall
  • 00:01:58
    on international roblox
  • 00:02:00
    in my own game
  • 00:02:18
    [Mandarin] trash game
  • 00:02:19
    trash game
  • 00:02:21
    Hello
  • 00:02:23
    fake
  • 00:02:29
    fake
  • 00:02:32
    [Mandarin] You are so cool, can I follow you?
  • 00:02:35
    Everybody hates the fake game
  • 00:02:37
    yo
  • 00:02:38
    you speak english?
  • 00:02:39
    yup
  • 00:02:40
    why don't you get a VPN and use american roblox
  • 00:02:44
    I have a popular game you can try
  • 00:02:47
    I get it too
  • 00:02:48
    I'm the owner
  • 00:02:49
    it's called runker 51
  • 00:02:51
    wanna to go there instead
  • 00:02:52
    I can give you rocket launchers and free money
  • 00:02:55
    okay
  • 00:02:56
    what's your robots username
  • 00:02:57
    XX777931
  • 00:03:09
    Welcome to roblox
  • 00:03:10
    and runker51
  • 00:03:15
    get in i wanna show you something
  • 00:03:17
    something you won't see on the luobu
  • 00:03:30
    look
  • 00:03:31
    just like hong kong
  • 00:03:46
    i gave you internet molotovs
  • 00:03:50
    i am having breakfast
  • 00:04:19
    After the experience with giao
  • 00:04:21
    I decided to assemble a team
  • 00:04:23
    a team of Chinese speaking users
  • 00:04:25
    who can go out into luobu and bring users over the firewall
  • 00:04:29
    into Runker 51
  • 00:04:31
    To be interviewed on a specially built stage made just for the occasion
  • 00:04:36
    have a seat
  • 00:04:37
    seat
  • 00:04:38
    hello!
  • 00:04:39
    how is your english?
  • 00:04:40
    Hello.
  • 00:04:41
    Normal.
  • 00:04:42
    So you're from China?
  • 00:04:43
    Yes.
  • 00:04:44
    what province?
  • 00:04:45
    He might not understand what is province.
  • 00:04:47
    can you translate
  • 00:04:48
    K
  • 00:04:49
    wait a moment.
  • 00:04:50
    I wanna go to pee
  • 00:04:51
    les us know when you're back
  • 00:04:53
    Yes
  • 00:04:53
    Enjoy your toilet
  • 00:04:56
    back.
  • 00:04:57
    From Taiwan.
  • 00:04:58
    Taiwan Province
  • 00:04:59
    He said he is from Taiwan District
  • 00:05:02
    does he see taiwan as its own country or part of china?
  • 00:05:04
    A part of china
  • 00:05:05
    Yes.
  • 00:05:06
    A part of china.
  • 00:05:07
    perfect
  • 00:05:09
    okay question 1!
  • 00:05:10
    do you love the party?
  • 00:05:12
    Yes.
  • 00:05:13
    yes! yes! everybody loves the party!
  • 00:05:16
    stand up pls
  • 00:05:17
    question 2:
  • 00:05:20
    Why Hastaged?
  • 00:05:21
    did you know that you know when people starve to death
  • 00:05:23
    because of the party in the late 50's?
  • 00:05:27
    I am lagging sorry.
  • 00:05:29
    did you know that you know when people starve to death because of the party in the late 50's?
  • 00:05:37
    Yes.
  • 00:05:37
    just kidding! it was a natural disaster!
  • 00:05:41
    question 3:
  • 00:05:42
    glory to the party!
  • 00:05:44
    that's not the question
  • 00:05:45
    i just like saying that
  • 00:05:47
    Ok.
  • 00:05:47
    question 3 is:
  • 00:05:48
    what should every american know before going to china?
  • 00:05:50
    what should every american know before going to china?
  • 00:05:54
    Know how to speak Chinese first
  • 00:05:54
    He said they need to know Chinese language.
  • 00:05:57
    Great, let's try a question 4:
  • 00:05:59
    this one is a hypothetical
  • 00:06:01
    let's say
  • 00:06:01
    you're in your apartment
  • 00:06:03
    and at 2am m the police knock on your door
  • 00:06:05
    they start asking you questions about
  • 00:06:07
    some youtube videos you've been posting
  • 00:06:09
    how do i avoid going to jail?
  • 00:06:12
    i mean how do you ever be going to jail?
  • 00:06:14
    some youtube videos you've been posting
  • 00:06:16
    how do you avoid going to jail?
  • 00:06:23
    No problem
  • 00:06:24
    never mind
  • 00:06:25
    forget i asked
  • 00:06:26
    question 5: what did you have for breakfast this morning?
  • 00:06:29
    what did you have for breakfast this morning?
  • 00:06:31
    Egg and Hot chocolate
  • 00:06:32
    very good
  • 00:06:34
    be happy you have to eat in you're own home
  • 00:06:36
    and not a communal kitchen
  • 00:06:38
    which was a terrible idea
  • 00:06:39
    Btw it don't taste for me.
  • 00:06:42
    because it's too salt
  • 00:06:43
    collectivization can be bitter sometimes
  • 00:06:46
    last question
  • 00:06:47
    if i gave you control over the nukes
  • 00:06:50
    would you do it?
  • 00:06:53
    No
  • 00:06:54
    No, it's not very special that we interviewed someone from Taiwan
  • 00:06:58
    I mean it's fascinating to talk to someone
  • 00:07:00
    with a completely different worldview
  • 00:07:02
    but TW doesn't live behind the firewall
  • 00:07:04
    I built this stage to speak to someone in China
  • 00:07:08
    god dammit
  • 00:07:09
    that's exactly what i did
  • 00:07:13
    hi justin
  • 00:07:14
    is it true you're from china?
  • 00:07:15
    yes
  • 00:07:16
    are you in china right now?
  • 00:07:18
    yes
  • 00:07:19
    what province if i may ask
  • 00:07:25
    can you ask him what province he's in
  • 00:07:27
    Which province are you from?
  • 00:07:29
    Guang dong
  • 00:07:30
    Guang dong
  • 00:07:31
    very cool
  • 00:07:31
    i have a friend in guangzhou
  • 00:07:33
    it is too different place
  • 00:07:35
    justin, do you ever use the luobu?
  • 00:07:38
    what
  • 00:07:39
    Have you played Chinese roblox called luobu?
  • 00:07:41
    Yes
  • 00:07:42
    Yes
  • 00:07:43
    Why?
  • 00:07:44
    Why you play that?
  • 00:07:46
    I want see how bad it is
  • 00:07:48
    To see how bad was the roblox china version
  • 00:07:52
    lol, how bad is it?
  • 00:07:54
    It has many xxs and few games only
  • 00:07:56
    too less games and quality too bad
  • 00:07:59
    do you like that you can't see blood
  • 00:08:00
    and corpses on this version of roblox?
  • 00:08:03
    Yes, of course.
  • 00:08:03
    Yes, he liked it.
  • 00:08:06
    does the internet censorship ever bother you in china?
  • 00:08:09
    does the internet censorship ever bother you in china?
  • 00:08:14
    yes
  • 00:08:16
    yes
  • 00:08:17
    if you were in charge,
  • 00:08:18
    what would you do about the censorship?
  • 00:08:20
    Improvement
  • 00:08:21
    He said he will change the system of censorship
  • 00:08:25
    very cool
  • 00:08:26
    last question
  • 00:08:27
    does ### exactly look like winnie the pooh
  • 00:08:32
    what
  • 00:08:33
    one sec
  • 00:08:43
    Does the chairman of the Communist Party of China look like Winnie?
  • 00:08:47
    No
  • 00:08:48
    He said no.
  • 00:08:50
    Obviously, I didn't bring people all this way
  • 00:08:52
    just to ask questions about video games
  • 00:08:54
    in winnie the flu
  • 00:08:55
    there's a lot of more serious issues in China
  • 00:08:58
    that deserve to be brought up
  • 00:08:59
    Justin
  • 00:09:00
    is probably only 10 years old
  • 00:09:02
    So I doubt he'd be the right person to talk to about
  • 00:09:05
    things like atrocities
  • 00:09:07
    TW on the other hand is obviously much older
  • 00:09:10
    and given that he's in taiwan
  • 00:09:12
    his internet access isn't censored
  • 00:09:13
    and he could still
  • 00:09:14
    do his own research on the things we talk about
  • 00:09:16
    And so
  • 00:09:17
    I felt it was only appropriate
  • 00:09:19
    to show on one of the most important parts of chinese history
  • 00:09:23
    thank you for this insightful interview
  • 00:09:25
    would you like to see the museum?
  • 00:09:27
    Yes, please.
  • 00:09:41
    this is the 64 museum
  • 00:09:43
    do you know about 64?
  • 00:09:45
    Know little bit.
  • 00:09:46
    what have they teach you in Taiwan about it?
  • 00:09:49
    Taiwan don't have to teach this
  • 00:09:51
    interesting
  • 00:09:52
    this museum tells you all about it
  • 00:09:54
    starting here
  • 00:09:55
    this politician
  • 00:09:56
    ## yaobang
  • 00:09:57
    was an advocate for western style democracy in china
  • 00:10:00
    the government demoted him
  • 00:10:02
    and when he died, people protested
  • 00:10:04
    okay
  • 00:10:04
    and during those protests
  • 00:10:06
    the people's liberation army killed a lot of civilians
  • 00:10:09
    the taiwanese government doesn't want to be part of china
  • 00:10:11
    because they're afraid of another 64 happening
  • 00:10:14
    among other things
  • 00:10:15
    Ok.
  • 00:10:16
    that's why they have their own government, military, currency and culture
  • 00:10:21
    do you understand this
  • 00:10:23
    Yes.
  • 00:10:26
    it gets graphic here
  • 00:10:46
    It like my history book.
  • 00:10:48
    lol
  • 00:10:49
    this is funny
  • 00:10:50
    luobu guidelines
  • 00:10:52
    ye
  • 00:10:52
    no content that relates to any political stand or viewpoint
  • 00:10:56
    do you know about the internet censorship in mainland china
  • 00:11:00
    Yes.
  • 00:11:00
    what do you think about it
  • 00:11:02
    is it worth it
  • 00:11:04
    No
  • 00:11:05
    do you think chinese people should be able to play regular roblox
  • 00:11:08
    Yes.
  • 00:11:09
    me too
  • 00:11:11
    Even though we probably disagree on a lot of political issues
  • 00:11:14
    TW and I were able to find common ground
  • 00:11:17
    experiences like this are exactly
  • 00:11:19
    why roblox should rip up their contract with tencent
  • 00:11:21
    and let Chinese accounts access normal roblox again
  • 00:11:25
    Roblox is supposed to be a global platform that brings people together
  • 00:11:29
    when you cut off 1.4 billions Chinese people
  • 00:11:32
    that's not bringing people together
  • 00:11:34
    That's discrimination
  • 00:11:36
    Anyways
  • 00:11:37
    try to learn more about the broader issues in China
  • 00:11:39
    Chapter 8 would be a great place to start
  • 00:11:42
    Thanks for watching!
Tags
  • Roblox
  • China
  • Luo Bu
  • Internet Censorship
  • Gaming
  • VPN
  • China Market
  • Chinese Language
  • Cultural Differences
  • Tencent