Game Over, Hong Kong? Police Claim Mobile App Sparks "Armed Revolution"!

Hong Kong Police Accuse Mobile Game of Promoting 'Armed Revolution'

Hong Kong authorities have issued a stark warning against a mobile gaming app, alleging that it promotes "armed revolution" and seeks to overthrow the established political order in Mainland China. The police assert that downloading, using, or making in-app purchases within the game could constitute a violation of the city's controversial national security law.

This move represents the latest in a series of actions that democracy and human rights advocates view as an ongoing erosion of Hong Kong's civil rights and freedoms since Beijing implemented the sweeping national security law in 2020. The law was further strengthened last year, with legislation introducing harsher penalties for dissent, including potential life imprisonment for acts deemed insurrectionist.

According to the Hong Kong police, the game, titled "Reversed Front: Bonfire," deliberately incites hatred towards central authorities and the Hong Kong government. They warn that individuals or companies in Hong Kong who knowingly publish, share, or recommend the gaming app could be seen as inciting secession and subversion.

Here's what we know about the game:

• Published by ESC Taiwan.
• Allows players to "pledge allegiance to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Tibet, Kazakhs, Uyghur, Manchuria or the Rebel Alliance of Cathaysian and Southeast Asia to overthrow the Communist regime," according to its website.
• Offers an alternative path where players can "choose to lead the Communists to defeat all enemies, and resume the century-long march of the Communist revolution."
• The game's website explicitly states that any resemblance to actual agencies, policies, or ethnic groups of the People's Republic of China is "INTENTIONAL."

While ESC Taiwan has not yet issued an official statement, their Instagram page featured a screenshot of a local TV news report highlighting the game's national security violation label, accompanied by a tongue-in-cheek thank you to the broadcaster for introducing the game to the Hong Kong public.

Interestingly, despite the controversy, the game doesn't appear to be widely popular. While download numbers are not publicly available, as of Wednesday, the game had fewer than 360 ratings across both the Apple and Google app stores. In comparison, mainstream mobile games such as Call of Duty or Block Blast boast millions of ratings.

This situation underscores the delicate balance between freedom of expression and national security concerns in Hong Kong. While the government emphasizes its commitment to maintaining stability and preventing subversion, critics argue that such measures stifle dissent and erode fundamental freedoms. The long-term implications of these actions on Hong Kong's unique identity and its role as a global hub remain to be seen.

Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/06/11/nx-s1-5430295/hong-kong-police-video-game-sedition-china