Hong Kong police on Tuesday accused a mobile video game of inciting armed revolution and promoting separatism, warning that anyone who shares or downloads the app could be violating the territory’s stringent national security laws imposed by China.
It marks the first time authorities have publicly targeted a gaming app, signaling a new phase in the ongoing crackdown on dissent that began after the 2019 anti-government protests. Since then, the Hong Kong government has used Beijing’s 2020 National Security Law, along with a similar locally enacted law passed last year, to stifle critical voices.
In a statement, police urged the public not to install or distribute the game “Reversed Front: Bonfire”, developed by Taiwanese company ESC. Authorities warned that those found with the app on their devices could be considered in possession of seditious material. They also advised against financially supporting the developer, including through in-app purchases.
“The game was launched under the guise of entertainment, but in fact promotes separatist ideas such as ‘Taiwan independence’ and ‘Hong Kong independence,’ and advocates armed revolution to overthrow the government of the People’s Republic of China,” the police said.
ESC Taiwan did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press. However, on the game’s official Facebook page, the developer posted a news report from a Hong Kong outlet and noted a spike in online searches for the title following the police announcement.
According to the game’s description, players can choose to join various rebel factions — including Hong Kong, Tibet, Uyghurs, Taiwan, or Cathaysians — to fight against the communist regime, or alternatively lead the communist forces to crush the insurgents. The game’s website describes it as “a work based on reality,” adding that any resemblance to real-world agencies, policies, or ethnic groups within China “is intentional.”
Despite the controversy, the app remained available on Apple’s App Store as of Tuesday night, though it had already been removed from Google Play. The developers said Google delisted the game due to its failure to restrict users from employing hate speech in usernames.
Apple, Google, and Meta did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Kuo Hao Fu, a player from Taiwan who has been playing the game for about three months, described its content as a humorous take on serious political issues. He disagreed with the Hong Kong police’s accusations, noting that players can also choose to represent the Chinese communist forces in the game.
“This shows how the Chinese Communist Party has taken control of Hong Kong’s democratic freedoms. If even a satirical game is no longer tolerated, it completely destroys creative freedom,” Kuo said.
China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has vowed to bring it under its control, by force if necessary. The erosion of civil liberties in Hong Kong under Beijing’s rule has sparked deep concern among many in the self-governed island.
Despite mounting criticism, both the Beijing and Hong Kong governments insist that the national security laws are essential to restoring stability after the mass protests that shook the city five years ago.
