French YouTuber Michou's family-friendly board game titled Qui sera le menteur? has been pulled from shelves following outrage over its unsuitable content for young players aged seven and older. The game, launched on October 19, 2024, by Topi Games, came under fire just days after Christmas 2024 when parents and consumers flagged its inappropriate questions on social media.
On December 28, 2024, Topi Games made the announcement, highlighting its commitment to rectify the situation after being informed of the troubling content. The firm noted, 'Nous avons été informés de la présence de questions inappropriées dans certaines cartes du jeu Qui sera le menteur ?, destinées à un public jeune' (We have been informed of the presence of inappropriate questions on some cards of the game Qui sera le menteur?, intended for young audiences).
The controversy primarily revolved around some of the game's questions, which included sensitive themes such as sexuality, alcohol, and even drug use. One card reportedly asked, 'Have you ever sent intimate photos?', raising immediate concern among parents who had gifted the game to their children, expecting innocent fun for family gatherings. Many were shocked, with one parent commenting, 'C’est quasi scandaleux. Afficher 7 ans et plus, c’est trompeur' (It’s almost scandalous. To label it for ages 7 and up is misleading).
Following the backlash, Michou took to social media to express his views and assure concerned families. He stated, 'Jamais je ne me serais permis d’y mettre ce genre de questions et encore moins pour un public aussi jeune' (I would never have allowed such questions to be included, especially not for such a young audience). He emphasized his non-involvement with the problematic content, stating it was the fault of Topi Games, who also issued apologies and admitted, 'Cette situation est due à une erreur de fabrication dans les processus de validation des contenus' (This situation is due to a manufacturing error in the content validation process).
The publisher expressed its 'total and complete responsibility' for the oversight, launching measures to refund purchasers and remove the game from sales platforms as swiftly as possible. 'La boîte sera donc retirée de la vente et un remboursement sera effectué aux clients' (The box will be withdrawn from sale, and refunds will be processed for customers), Michou reassured his audience.
The game was intended to be playful, encouraging players to share anecdotes and distinguish truths from lies; its structure posed no initial red flags. Yet, the inappropriate cards revealed the challenges content creators face when producing family products. Michou, who boasts over 10 million followers on YouTube, mainly connects with younger audiences and often tackles gaming content.
The scandal not only affected Michou's reputation but also highlighted the growing concerns parents have over the content their children are exposed to, especially from popular influencers. Many parents felt misled, advocating for stricter content vetting to avoid future issues. The incident sheds light on the broader responsibility influencers and companies share when developing products for children.
Despite the hiccup, Michou vowed to improve his diligence going forward. 'Je ferai en sorte que plus jamais ce genre de choses n’arrivent en redoublant d’effort et d’attention sur les prochains projets' (I will make sure this does not happen again by doubling my efforts and attention on future projects). This commitment to do right by his audience resonates with consumers who expect transparency and appropriateness from their favorite creators.
This episode serves as both a cautionary tale and a potential turning point for Michou, prompting necessary discussions about content suitability and the ethics of marketing, especially when it pertains to products aimed at young children. With the game's withdrawal, parents hope for more thoughtful oversight on children's products, believing every effort should be made to protect young viewers from inappropriate themes.