Hong Kong issued a stern warning against playing or downloading the contentious mobile game "Reversed Front: Bonfire." ESC Taiwan created the game, which is currently facing criticism for promoting "secessionist agendas" and inciting revolt against the Chinese Communist Party.
The authorities have taken the game off the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in Hong Kong.
Game Calls On Players to Sides in Imaginary Rebellion
In a statement, Hong Kong police warned that residents who download or keep playing the game could be committing an offense. Even in-app purchases could constitute financial support for subversive activities, increasing the risk for users and developers.
"Reversed Front: Bonfire" is somewhat new since it was only launched last April. It lets players side with pro-democracy forces from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Tibet, Mongolia, and other traditionally sensitive areas. The other option is to side with the Chinese Communist Party, as the story alternates between interactive visual novel-style conversations and turn-based battles.
The game includes gacha mechanics for unlocking characters, mirroring the increasing trend of storytelling and microtransaction-based systems. Its politically charged nature is what caught the attention of Hong Kong authorities.
ESC Taiwan Defends Its Political Neutrality
In reply to criticism, ESC Taiwan denied that the game is about provoking rebellion but instead about presenting different perspectives on East Asian politics, such as backing of the Chinese Communist Party.
"The content of Reversed Front: Bonfire includes various political propositions existing in East Asia today, not only self-determination and separatism, but also the ideology of the Chinese Communist Party. We allow supporters of the Chinese Communist Party to defend their political views in the game, resulting in two different storylines," an ESC spokesperson told Aftermath via email.
ESC Taiwan, a tiny game development studio of under 10 core members (assisted by about 50 volunteers), was established with the mission of networking anti-authoritarian communities within Asia. Game development was used as a means to monetarily subsidize this endeavor.
International Visibility Surges Following Ban
Although the Hong Kong government succeeded in banning the game within its borders, its action might have had the opposite effect. The ensuing controversy has pushed "Reversed Front: Bonfire" into international discourse.
NPR reports that the game spiked in visibility on the US App Store, being ranked 45th in the adventure game list. On Google Play, it has more than 320 ratings, a significant spike after the ban.
Human Rights Watch China director Maya Wang told NPR that Hong Kong's crackdown is not surprising. According to her, the authorities will always find ways to shut down the game to show that they are committed to Beijing and its national security agenda.
ESC Taiwan has recognized that "millions of people, who hadn't known of the game's existence before, now know that it really exists.
