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Hong Kong bans Taiwan-made video game as China sees national security threat
In an unprecedented move, Hong Kong authorities have banned a Taiwanese-developed mobile video game, citing national security concerns under a sweeping law imposed by Beijing. This is the first time a video game has been outlawed in the city for allegedly promoting sedition.
The mobile strategy game, Reversed Front: Bonfire, developed by ESC Taiwan, was removed from Google Play and Apple's App Store in Hong Kong after police ordered internet service providers to disable access to the game. The authorities warned that downloading, sharing, or possessing the game could be considered a criminal offence under the territory's national security law and may be prosecuted as possession of seditious material.
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The game allows players to take sides in a virtual conflict, including the option to pledge allegiance to Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Tibet, with the goal of toppling the Chinese Communist regime. Alternatively, players can choose to defend the regime, portraying it as a high-stakes war simulation embedded with overt political themes.
Following the ban, Reversed Front: Bonfire quickly became the most searched term on Google in Hong Kong, underscoring growing public curiosity amid rising censorship. While ESC Taiwan has not formally responded to the ban, it acknowledged the spike in visibility and welcomed the attention.
The police have also issued a public advisory against providing financial support to the game developer, further deepening the geopolitical dimension of the controversy.
The crackdown is part of China's broader campaign to curb dissent in Hong Kong, a drive that has escalated since the pro-democracy protests of 2019. The imposition of the national security law in 2020 gave authorities wide-ranging powers to suppress what they deem threats to the state, including digital and cultural content.
The ban signals a new frontier in Beijing's enforcement of ideological conformity, extending its scrutiny to virtual platforms and gaming media. Critics say it reflects shrinking civic space in Hong Kong, once known for its open internet and creative freedom.
As the city's digital landscape comes under tighter surveillance, the prohibition of Reversed Front: Bonfire raises alarms over the growing scope of China's censorship apparatus and the role of gaming in geopolitical narratives.
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With inputs from agencies
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