Google Pulls Doki Doki Literature Club from Play Store

Google has removed the popular visual novel “Doki Doki Literature Club” from the Google Play Store. The game, developed by Team Salvato and published by Serenity Forge, is well known for its psychological horror elements hidden beneath a dating-sim surface, including depictions of self-harm and suicide that serve as core narrative devices.

The removal likely relates to Google Play’s content policies around sensitive topics such as self-harm and suicide in apps. Doki Doki Literature Club has faced similar scrutiny on other platforms due to its disturbing themes, despite carrying content warnings. The game remains available on other storefronts including Steam, where it has maintained an overwhelmingly positive reception since its 2017 release.

The takedown highlights the ongoing tension between platform content moderation policies and creative works that engage with dark subject matter in deliberate, critically acclaimed ways. Serenity Forge, the publisher, appears to have disclosed the removal via Bluesky.