Hong Kong's national security police have issued an effective ban on the game "Reversed Front: Bonfire," citing its advocacy for armed revolution and the ongoing crackdown on politically sensitive content.
**Hong Kong Enforces Ban on Controversial Video Game for Alleged Promotion of Armed Revolution**
**Hong Kong Enforces Ban on Controversial Video Game for Alleged Promotion of Armed Revolution**
Authorities in Hong Kong take a hard stance against a Taiwanese war strategy game, denouncing it for inciting violence against the Communist Party of China.
Hong Kong's national security police have taken a significant action against the gaming community, effectively banning the Taiwanese video game "Reversed Front: Bonfire," which is deemed to provoke armed insurrection. Citizens are warned against downloading the game, with the risk of facing serious legal consequences. This move reflects the government's intensified control over online content perceived as a threat to the security of the city.
Developed by a Taiwanese group, "Reversed Front: Bonfire" is a colorful online war strategy game where players assume roles such as guerrillas, spies, patrons, and even government fighters, engaging in simulated battles against the Chinese Communist Party. The game allows players to represent various factions from regions like Taiwan, Mongolia, and the sensitive territories of Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet.
As part of the crackdown, the game has already been removed from Apple's App Store in Hong Kong, while remaining accessible in markets outside the jurisdiction. Notably, it was already unavailable in mainland China and had recently been pulled from Google Play for allegedly containing hateful language, according to the developers.
The development team, ESC Taiwan, consists of anonymous volunteers committed to opposing China's Communist Party through creative mediums, with their previous endeavors including board games. They argue that the swift removal of their game underlines the kind of political censorship typical of mainland China, with representatives stating, “Our game is precisely accusing and revealing such intentions.”
This ban highlights the growing tensions and restrictive measures regarding freedom of expression in Hong Kong’s increasingly controlled digital landscape.
Developed by a Taiwanese group, "Reversed Front: Bonfire" is a colorful online war strategy game where players assume roles such as guerrillas, spies, patrons, and even government fighters, engaging in simulated battles against the Chinese Communist Party. The game allows players to represent various factions from regions like Taiwan, Mongolia, and the sensitive territories of Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet.
As part of the crackdown, the game has already been removed from Apple's App Store in Hong Kong, while remaining accessible in markets outside the jurisdiction. Notably, it was already unavailable in mainland China and had recently been pulled from Google Play for allegedly containing hateful language, according to the developers.
The development team, ESC Taiwan, consists of anonymous volunteers committed to opposing China's Communist Party through creative mediums, with their previous endeavors including board games. They argue that the swift removal of their game underlines the kind of political censorship typical of mainland China, with representatives stating, “Our game is precisely accusing and revealing such intentions.”
This ban highlights the growing tensions and restrictive measures regarding freedom of expression in Hong Kong’s increasingly controlled digital landscape.
