Developer Behind Ming Dynasty Game Locks Critic's Video Through Copyright Strike

Chengdu Lingze Technology, developer of Late Ming: Feather of the Abyss, recently took down a video by B站 UP主 Jiubao Xingshu through the platform's complaint mechanism. The takedown itself isn't unusual—what raises eyebrows is the lengthy "financial statement" embedded in the complaint notice.

The video in question, titled "Goodbye to All of Xia Siyuan's Works," was a simple boss battle showcase with zero mention of finances. Yet the complaint from Lingze claimed the company follows proper accounting procedures, maintains complete documentation, and has undergone compliance audits. It specifically denied rumors of shadow accounting, fund interception, and falsified records. Jiubao Xingshu was baffled—none of that had anything to do with the video content.

This feels like protesting too much. If the financials are clean, why not issue a formal statement through official channels instead of piggybacking on a content takedown? As Jiubao Xingshu pointed out, this looks more like Lingze using the complaint system as an informal messaging tool. Rather than projecting confidence, the move comes across as defensive and counterproductive.

I get that companies want to protect their reputation. But using a takedown notice to "clarify" rumors is bizarre communication strategy. If there's nothing to hide, hold a press conference or publish a proper announcement. This approach just makes people who weren't paying attention start asking: what rumors could be serious enough to provoke this kind of response?

The incident underscores how fragile trust is between game studios and their communities. A clumsy PR move can damage a brand more than staying silent. Lingze would do better to address concerns head-on rather than continue this confusing method of "communication."