Chinese authorities have executed Xu Yao, the man convicted of murdering gaming billionaire and 3 Body Problem producer Lin Qi. The execution, carried out on May 21, closes a case that has drawn global attention due to its connection to the Netflix adaptation of Liu Cixin’s acclaimed sci-fi trilogy.
The BBC reported that the execution came after years of legal proceedings, including a death sentence issued in 2024 and later upheld by China’s Supreme People’s Court. Yoozoo Games, the company founded by Lin, confirmed the development in a public statement, thanking the courts and acknowledging the conclusion of a case that had deeply impacted the organization.
How the Case Connects to Netflix’s Sci-Fi Hit
Lin Qi was not only a major figure in China’s gaming industry but also a key force behind bringing 3 Body Problem to a global audience. Through Yoozoo Games and its subsidiary Three-Body Universe, Lin secured the rights to adapt Liu Cixin’s Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy. This eventually led to the high-profile Netflix series, which premiered in 2024 and became one of the platform’s biggest sci-fi releases.
Xu Yao, who was appointed in 2018 to oversee the Three-Body Universe division, played an important role in managing the franchise and helping facilitate the Netflix deal. However, internal tensions escalated in 2020 when Lin reportedly removed Xu from key responsibilities and reassigned control to other executives. This fallout would later become central to the motive behind the crime.
Poisoning Plot and Corporate Fallout
Investigators revealed that Xu Yao orchestrated a calculated poisoning scheme after feeling sidelined within the company. According to court findings, he used toxic substances, including pufferfish neurotoxin and mercury compounds, disguising them as health supplements. Lin Qi fell ill in December 2020 and died nine days later at the age of 39.
The case extended beyond a single victim, as authorities found that several other Yoozoo employees were also targeted. Some survived but reportedly suffered long-term health complications. The scale and planning of the attack led the court to describe the crime as particularly severe and malicious.
Xu was arrested shortly after Lin’s hospitalization and later convicted of murder in 2024. The court emphasized the deliberate nature of the act in its ruling, ultimately sentencing him to death, a decision that was finalized after review by the Supreme People’s Court.
Yoozoo Games Responds as Case Concludes
Following the execution, Yoozoo Games released a statement acknowledging the outcome and honoring its late founder. The company said, “We deeply mourn Mr Lin and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family,” while also expressing appreciation for the judicial process.
Lin Qi’s death was a major loss not only for the company but also for the broader entertainment industry. At the time of his passing, his estimated net worth was around 6.8 billion yuan, reflecting the scale of his success in building Yoozoo into a globally recognized gaming brand.
Lin Qi’s Lasting Impact on 3 Body Problem
Despite his death, Lin Qi’s influence continued to shape 3 Body Problem. He was posthumously credited as an executive producer on the Netflix series, which went on to achieve massive global viewership. The show’s success highlights the lasting importance of Lin’s role in securing and developing the adaptation.
The conclusion of Xu Yao’s case brings legal closure, but the story remains closely tied to one of Netflix’s most ambitious sci-fi projects. It stands as a rare intersection of corporate conflict and global entertainment, where a real-world tragedy is linked to the creation of a widely successful series.
