A man in China has been put to death for poisoning a billionaire gaming magnate in a disagreement linked to the Netflix adaptation of ‘3 Body Problem’. Chinese authorities carried out the execution of Xu Yao following his conviction for using extremely toxic substances to murder Lin Qi, the gaming tycoon, during a professional conflict, as per local media reports on Tuesday.
Lin Qi, the creator of Yoozoo Games based in Shanghai, possesses the film adaptation rights for the popular science fiction trilogy known as ‘The Three-Body Problem’. Authored by Chinese writer Liu Cixin, the sci-fi trilogy has been translated into over 40 languages and transformed into television and game projects, including Netflix’s acclaimed ‘3 Body Problem’ series released in 2024.
Xu, a former leader of a Yoozoo Games subsidiary, poisoned Lin in December 2020 after feeling sidelined by the founder shortly after helping him secure the Netflix deal, local media sources mentioned. Xu was found guilty of the crime in 2024, leading to his execution by the Chinese government on May 21, as reported by Chinese media. Lin’s company confirmed the execution on Tuesday through a statement on the Chinese social media platform Weibo.
The statement expressed gratitude for the delivery of justice in the case involving Mr. Lin Qi, the founder of Three-Body Universe. Xu reportedly spent large amounts to purchase deadly substances online, including alpha-amanitin, a lethal compound present in certain poisonous mushrooms, which he concealed in probiotic pills, coffee capsules, water containers, and whisky bottles that he shared with Lin and other company employees.
Lin was hospitalized after falling ill in December 2020 but tragically passed away a few days later at the age of 39. While several others became sick, they eventually recovered, as indicated in local press reports.
The ‘Three-Body Problem’ series has garnered immense popularity both in China and internationally. Its author, Liu, made history by becoming the first Chinese writer to win the prestigious Hugo Award, the most significant prize in the genre. Domestically, the series has driven the growth of a sci-fi industry across various platforms, including movies, video games, books, magazines, and exhibitions.
