this post was submitted on 13 Apr 2026
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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.

**alternative download link you can download it from https://com-serenityforge-dokidokiliteratureclub.en.uptodown.com/android/download

Don't know if it is trustworthy though.

You play download the PC version officially from steam, only android was removed: https://store.steampowered.com/app/698780/Doki_Doki_Literature_Club/ **

top 15 comments
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[–] IllNess@infosec.pub 4 points 1 week ago

Its Play listing was appropriately marked as “Mature 17+,” which means that children won’t be able to download it if their devices have parental controls. In addition, the developers clearly communicate that the game tackles serious issues. "This game is not suitable for children or those who are easily disturbed" is the first line of the game.

Looks like the developers and publisher did everything right. Play has a ton of games where you kill people. Google's inconsistency shines again.

[–] GasMaskedLunatic@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 1 week ago (3 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.

Maybe two companies deciding what apps are good for 99.9% of smartphone users isn't a good thing? Perhaps our trust has gone a little too far? I like your sentiment, it's time to be furious about this.

I mean, if they ban twatter, poor pedos loose the ability to conveniently generate csam, and pedos are pretty much a (the?) protected minority nowadays. Arguably, also applies to nazis, but assuming they can read is a stretch, so they can simply use any note taking app instead

[–] Retail4068@lemmy.world -1 points 1 week ago (3 children)

X == Google. Definitely how it works.

[–] Yttra@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

The very same app that almost got removed from Google Play (and Apple's App Store) for ToS violations such as planning to disable account blocking functionality?

Yes, that is indeed how it works.

[–] fushuan@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

No. X is an app that's a sizable on google Play. If they are banning dokindoki, why not ban X, which has far worse shit?

That's what they meant. is the one doing the banning, so it makes sense to criticise it even if they are not the owners of X. Reading comprehension.

[–] lemmyng@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

And yet X, the child porn generator app, gets a free pass.

[–] BlackLaZoR@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

This is why they want to remove installing apps from third parties. To control you more.

I'm running Graphene OS. Fuck Google.

[–] tigeruppercut@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Can anyone who played on android explain how you "win" when

spoilerthere are no system files to delete?

[–] benjirenji@slrpnk.net 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

At least on the console version it simulates a desktop.

[–] pycorax@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 week ago

That feels like it ruins the whole immersion of it but it is what it is I guess? Feels like Android they could make it work by placing files in the Downloads folder or something at least.

[–] Washedupcynic@lemmy.ca 0 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] davitz@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

And then use this to play it on your Android device: https://gamenative.app/