China Executes Man for Poisoning Billionaire Gaming Tycoon in Shocking 3 Body Problem Murder Case
China executes man convicted of murdering billionaire gaming tycoon Lin Qi, the founder of Yoozoo Games who held the adaptation rights to the celebrated science fiction trilogy that became Netflix’s hit series 3 Body Problem. The execution, which reportedly took place on May 21, was confirmed on Tuesday by Yoozoo Games in a company statement declaring that “justice has ultimately been served.”
The case has drawn international attention not only for its lurid details—a poisoning plot involving disguised lethal substances—but also for its connection to one of the most ambitious science fiction adaptations in television history. Xu Yao, a former associate of Lin’s, was convicted in 2024 after a court described his plot as “extremely despicable.”
China Executes Man Who Poisoned Gaming Tycoon Over Netflix Deal Dispute
The chain of events that led to Xu Yao’s execution began with a business disagreement rooted in the lucrative world of intellectual property rights. In 2018, Lin Qi appointed Xu to lead Three-Body Universe, a subsidiary of Yoozoo Games created specifically to manage projects related to the 3 Body Problem franchise, based on Chinese author Liu Cixin’s Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy.
Xu reportedly played a key role in helping secure a Netflix deal to adapt the celebrated science fiction series. However, the partnership between the two men deteriorated in 2020 when Lin decided to remove Xu from his position and install other executives to oversee business operations. According to local media reports cited by the BBC, the sidelining of Xu after he had helped land the Netflix deal was the catalyst for the fatal plot.
Prosecutors established that Xu disguised lethal substances as probiotic pills and administered them to Lin. In December 2020, Lin sought hospital treatment after feeling unwell. He died nine days later at the age of 39, leaving behind an estimated net worth of approximately 6.8 billion yuan (approximately $941 million), according to the Hurun China Rich List.
How Lin Qi Built Yoozoo Games Into a Global Entertainment Powerhouse
Lin Qi’s trajectory from gaming entrepreneur to entertainment mogul was one of the most remarkable business stories in China’s technology sector. As founder of Yoozoo Games, the Shanghai-based developer, Lin built a company best known for the Game of Thrones: Winter Is Coming strategy game, which attracted millions of players worldwide.
But Lin’s most visionary move was acquiring the film adaptation rights to Liu Cixin’s Three-Body Problem trilogy. First published in Chinese, the books have since been translated into nearly 30 languages and have inspired multiple adaptations. The Netflix version, which launched in 2024, quickly became one of the streaming platform’s most-watched shows. Lin was posthumously credited as one of its executive producers.
The success of the Netflix series underscored the commercial potential that Lin had identified years earlier. His decision to create Three-Body Universe as a dedicated subsidiary demonstrated his commitment to building a long-term franchise around the intellectual property—an ambition that Xu Yao’s criminal actions cut tragically short.
China Executes Murderer as Victim’s Company Welcomes Justice
Yoozoo Games’ official statement following the confirmation of Xu Yao’s execution struck a tone of solemn vindication. “We deeply mourn Mr. Lin and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family,” the company said. “As colleagues who fought alongside him, all members of the company are grateful for the impartiality of the judicial process.”
The execution, carried out by Chinese authorities, came more than five years after Lin’s death and more than a year after Xu’s conviction. One of Xu’s other victims—several people were reportedly sickened by the poisoning plot beyond Lin himself—wrote on social media following the execution: “Justice comes in the end, even if it’s late,” according to reporting by the Chinese newspaper Economic Observer, as cited by Reuters.
The case has reignited debate about corporate governance and the personal risks faced by business leaders in China’s high-stakes technology and entertainment industries. While violent disputes among business associates remain rare, the case has highlighted the intense pressures and interpersonal conflicts that can emerge when billions of dollars in intellectual property rights are at stake.
3 Body Problem Legacy and the Future of Yoozoo Games After China Executes Killer
With Xu Yao’s execution now confirmed, attention is turning to the future of both the 3 Body Problem franchise and Yoozoo Games as a company. The Netflix adaptation’s success has ensured that the intellectual property at the centre of the dispute remains one of the most valuable in global entertainment, with additional seasons and spin-off projects under discussion.
Liu Cixin’s original trilogy—The Three-Body Problem, The Dark Forest, and Death’s End—has achieved a rare cultural crossover, resonating with audiences across linguistic and cultural boundaries. The books’ exploration of civilisational contact, game theory, and cosmic sociology has made them a touchstone for both science fiction enthusiasts and general readers.
For Yoozoo Games, the challenge now is to move forward from the shadow of its founder’s murder while preserving the creative and commercial legacy that Lin Qi built. The company’s statement expressing gratitude for the judicial process suggests a desire to close this painful chapter and refocus on the future.
The case serves as a sobering reminder of the human cost behind even the most successful entertainment franchises. Lin Qi’s vision brought one of China’s greatest works of science fiction to a global audience, but he did not live to see its full impact. As the 3 Body Problem continues to captivate viewers around the world, his contribution to making that possible stands as a lasting legacy—one that Xu Yao’s execution can only partially vindicate.
Source: BBC via MyJoyOnline
