YouTuber Michou's board game, with sexual questions and a target age of 7, sparks a scandal. Outraged parents, media outcry… The influencer ends up withdrawing the product. Editor error or PR stunt? The debate is on.
The world of social networks is in turmoil. At the heart of the media storm: Michou, famous YouTuber with 10 million subscribers, and his brand new board game “Who will be the liar?” “. Unveiled just a few weeks ago, this game, which was intended to be family-friendly and “accessible from 7 years old” according to its publisher, is today raising a torrent of criticism. The reason? Questions deemed inappropriate for a young audience, directly evoking sex, alcohol and drugs.
A Christmas present that goes wrong
It was on social networks that the affair broke out, a few days after Christmas. Many parents who offered the game to their children were quick to share their indignation upon discovering the content of the cards, which was, to say the least, daring:
“Have you ever used an everyday object to do something naughty?” », “Have you ever had an erotic dream”, “Have you ever consumed narcotics? »
Questions that are totally out of line given the target age announced on the box. The screenshots of the incriminated cards quickly ignited the web, with Internet users crying foul and directly calling out Michou and its publisher Topi Games.
Michou apologizes and passes the buck to the editor
Faced with the bad buzz, the young 23-year-old influencer quickly reacted on his networks, apologizing while clearing himself:
“I just saw complaints on social media. There was indeed an error on the part of the publisher on the age target of the game, I am finding out what we can do and I will let you know quickly”
Michou, on Instagram
A line of defense that is struggling to convince its community, many believing that the videographer, who recently confided “having worked for several months” on this project, cannot ignore the problematic content of his game.
Mea culpa and withdrawal from the game
Saturday evening, new twist. Michou finally announces the outright withdrawal of “Who will be the liar?” » of the sale:
“You know me, I would never have allowed myself to put these kinds of questions there, and even less so for such a young audience. […] The box will therefore be withdrawn from sale and a refund will be made to customers.
Michou, on Twitter
If the publisher Topi Games confirms that it is working to remove the product from shelves and online sales sites, the damage seems done for Michou's image. On social networks, Internet users oscillate between anger and conspiracy theories, some accusing the influencer of having deliberately orchestrated this controversy to create buzz.
A hard blow for the influencer's reputation
Unfortunate coincidence or voluntary communications operation which may have gone awry, this affair risks leaving traces for the young man. Revealed thanks to his gaming videos then through more mainstream projects like Dancing with the Stars, Michou had until now carved out a reputation as a good-natured influencer.
It remains to be seen whether his mea culpa will be enough to appease parents' anger and reassure his more than 10 million subscribers, many of them preteens. One thing is certain, this daring version of “the truth game” will have put a real spotlight on Michou. But not necessarily what you hoped for.
