The Controversies and Criticisms Surrounding BTS World: Understanding the Ethical Concerns
Released in June 2019, the mobile game BTS World allowed fans to immerse themselves in the lives of their favorite BTS members through a management simulation. The game promised an engaging experience where players could manage the group's career and build relationships with the members. However, the game has faced significant criticism, particularly over its monetization strategies and a series of ethical controversies that have emerged over time.
Ethical Controversies and Criticisms
The English version of BTS World has come under intense scrutiny for several reasons. One of the main concerns is the inclusion of potentially triggering content in Chapter 3, which lacks a trigger warning. This chapter features a significant storyline involving Jimin's struggle with dieting. The portrayal of Jimin's experience in the game has been met with divided opinions, with some fans criticizing the game for trivializing his experience while others argue that it is a representation of reality in the idol industry.
The handling of the storyline has been a topic of debate. Some fans and critics have pointed out that the game treats Jimin's diet-related struggles as an 'obstacle' that needs to be overcome. This approach has been seen as lacking sensitivity and potentially trivializing a serious health issue. The use of Jimin's personal story in the game raises ethical questions about the consent and involvement of the band members in the translation and storytelling process.
A pronounced issue is the gendered language used in the English version of the game. The manager character is exclusively referred to using the pronouns 'she/her', creating discomfort for male fans and non-binary players. This linguistic choice highlights the complexity of representing diverse fan bases and player identities within a game.
Concerns about the Game's Content and Features
Another facet of BTS World that has attracted significant criticism is its side missions. These missions depict scenarios that many argue are highly unethical, such as stalking and illegal activities. For example, in Taehyung's side mission, the player is tasked with following him for 20 hours until he reaches his parents' farm. Similarly, in Jungkook's side mission, the player must follow a 14-year-old Jungkook to his school in 2012. These missions not only provoke ethical concerns but also cause alarm due to their invasive and threatening nature.
Such activities, involving following and potentially intruding on the lives of the members, have been criticized for creating uncomfortable and potentially harmful experiences for players. Fans have expressed concerns about the psychological impact such missions might have on sensitive individuals or players who might take these scenarios too seriously.
Official Discontinuation and Fan Warnings
By 2023, the game was officially shut down, and players were advised to be careful about any unofficial or third-party versions that might be circulating. Official sources have warned about the potential for scams, data privacy issues, and the risk of malware associated with such unofficial downloads. Fans were reminded to avoid sharing personal information and to stick to official channels for any BTS-related content.
A Call for Ethical Gameplay
The community is urging the developers, NetMarble, to take these criticisms seriously and to improve future iterations of the game. The fact that the storyline involving Jimin's dieting was only present in the English version is a particularly troubling point. This situation raises questions about the involvement of BTS in the translation and storytelling processes.
Given the ethical issues raised by both the content and the side missions, it is important for developers to consider the broader impact of their creations. Fan feedback should be taken seriously, and steps should be taken to ensure that all future games are respectful, inclusive, and ethically sound.
Note: The information regarding the BTS World side missions comes from recent reports and community feedback. Developers are encouraged to engage with the fan community and address these concerns proactively.