Aug. 14 (NBD) -- Chinese regulators ordered Tencent to remove the blockbuster video game "Monster Hunter: World" from WeGame, the tech titan's Steam-like digital distribution platform, WeGame said in a statement Monday. 

It has been less than five days since the launch of the game on the WeGame platform.

"Monster Hunter: World" is an action role-play game developed and published by Japanese video game developer and publisher Capcom early this year. Since its release in January, the game has shipped more than 8 million copies worldwide.

In early July, Tencent licensed the game from Capcom to sell to PC users on its WeGame platform. The game won over 1 million subscriptions on the platform in mere ten days, according to media reports. 

The hit game was banned from sale because the Chinese regulators received a large number of complaints that part of the game contents don't comply with regulatory requirements, WeGame said.  

There has been speculation that the complaints were filed by Tencent's old rival NetEase Games, rather than gamers. In response, Netease CEO Ding Lei denied the claim Tuesday via one of the company's official apps, adding that such rumor did great harm to NetEase Games' image and people who spread the rumor should be held accountable.  

According to WeGame's statement, players who had purchased the game are entitled to get a full refund by August 20 in addition to a 30 yuan (4.4 U.S. dollars) voucher as compensation. 

Unexpectedly, many gamers left messages on the platform saying they won't seek a refund in honor of the axed game or in support of Tencent. 

The removal of the game dealt a heavy blow to Tencent's efforts in the gaming market. 

Previously, media reports said if "Monster Hunter: World" was brought into the Chinese market, Tencent would have the chance to deepen the collaboration with Capcom in addition to reaping considerable profits from the sale of the game. Moreover, it could draw the attention of more third-party game developers around the globe.  

But now, all these seem out of reach. 

Industry analysts held Tencent has lost the best chance to compete with Steam even though it still stands a chance of bringing the game back to players, according to huanqiu.com. 

Apart from this, the Chinese tech giant is facing many other issues. 

Last week, China International Capital Corporation Limited released a report, removing Tencent out of the preferred portfolio of overseas-listed Chinese stocks on the grounds of Tencent's lackluster gaming revenue, lack of eye-catching new games, and potential regulatory risks facing its payment business. 

In July, investment bank UBS predicted the Chinese company's second-quarter revenue from the mobile and PC gaming business would fall by 9 percent from the previous quarter.  

Email: lansuying@nbd.com.cn