this post was submitted on 13 Apr 2026
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55
Google removes Doki Doki Literature Club! from the Play Store (www.engadget.com)
submitted 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago) by themachinestops@lemmy.dbzer0.com to c/technology@lemmy.world
16 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Google has removed popular psychological horror game Doki Doki Literature Club! from the Play Store. According to Dan Salvato, who led its development team, and publisher Serenity Forge, Google told them the visual novel was removed because it violated its Terms of Service in its depiction of sensitive themes. The game is “widely celebrated for portraying mental health in a way that meaningfully connects deeply with players around the world,” they said in their announcement. Its free version, which came out first, has been downloaded at least 30 million times, while the paid “Plus” version has had at least one million downloads. The visual novel has repeatedly made Engadget’s lists of favorite games over the years.

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[–] GasMaskedLunatic@lemmy.dbzer0.com 31 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

I've seen shit on X far worse than the shit in Doki Doki in literally every way possible. Why is their app still available for download? Fuck you, Google.

[–] Truscape@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 1 hour ago

I wonder if FEX (Valve's X86 to ARM conversion software) could run this now on an android phone. The game's freely distributed on PC, so it should be easy to test.

[–] HuudaHarkiten@piefed.social 13 points 2 hours ago

Ah, I love how google is protecting me and my fragile mind <3

[–] WeLoveCastingSpellz@lemmy.dbzer0.com 11 points 2 hours ago

So it begins

[–] MonkderVierte@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 hour ago

because it violated its Terms of Service in its depiction of sensitive themes.

This rule can't be legal for a gatekeeper.