China Executes Man Who Poisoned Billionaire Boss Behind Game of Thrones Video Game, 3 Body Problem Netflix Series
China has executed Xu Yao for the murder of Lin Qi, the billionaire founder of video game company Yoozoo Games. Xu poisoned Lin using fake probiotic pills filled with an extremely toxic form of mercury following a management dispute over Netflix’s 3 Body Problem series.
Lin Qi founded Yoozoo Games, which developed the Game of Thrones: Winter is Coming video game spinoff and maintains film and television rights for Remembrance of Earth’s Past—known internationally as 3 Body Problem. Lin is posthumously credited as an executive producer on Netflix’s adaptation of the Chinese sci-fi series’ first season.
The two men had previously worked together as colleagues at Yoozoo before their relationship deteriorated. Their disagreement centered on how the company should manage the Netflix adaptation rights and creative direction. Xu’s decision to poison Lin with mercury-laced counterfeit probiotic supplements resulted in a death sentence. The case underscores the sometimes volatile nature of business disputes within China’s gaming and entertainment industry, particularly when high-stakes intellectual property management is involved.