Hong Kong Police Warn Against Downloading Game Accused of Promoting Armed Revolution

Image: Reversed Front Bonfire

Hong Kong police have issued a warning to the public about a mobile game that they claim promotes armed revolution and the overthrow of China's central government.

In a statement given to local media on Tuesday (via NPR), authorities said that downloading, using, or making any purchases within the game could be a violation of Hong Kong’s National Security Law. The warning comes amid ongoing concerns about the tightening of civil liberties in the city since the law was first introduced in 2020 by Beijing.

The game in question, Reversed Front: Bonfire, was developed by Taiwan-based publisher ESC and is currently available on mobile app stores.

According to the game’s official description, players can choose to support groups such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Tibet, Kazakhs, Uyghur, Manchuria, or the Rebel Alliance of Cathaysian and Southeast Asia to fight against the Communist regime. Alternatively, players also have the option to take the side of the Communists and attempt to suppress the rebellion, offering a dual-narrative gameplay experience.

However, Hong Kong authorities argue that the game goes far beyond fiction. They allege that it is deliberately crafted to encourage hatred towards the central Chinese government. "Any similarity to actual agencies, policies, or ethnic groups of the [People's Republic of China] in this game is INTENTIONAL," the game's website clearly mentions.

The police added that residents and businesses found promoting or distributing the game may be prosecuted under national security laws for inciting secession or subversion.

The game’s developers have not responded to the allegation yet. However, a recent post on the official Instagram account of Reversed Front: Bonfire included a screenshot from a local television news segment covering the game’s alleged violations. The post appeared to mock the situation, thanking the broadcaster for bringing attention to the game.

As of Wednesday, the game had fewer than 360 combined ratings on the Apple App Store and Google Play, indicating limited popularity. In contrast, mainstream titles like Call of Duty: Mobile or Block Blast have millions of reviews and active players worldwide.

The crackdown on this game is part of a broader trend of increasing control over digital content and public expression in Hong Kong. In March 2024, Hong Kong passed stricter laws expanding the scope of its national security regulations, which now include severe penalties such as life imprisonment for actions deemed as threats to the state.

Human rights groups and pro-democracy advocates have criticized these developments, stating that they reflect the continuing erosion of free speech and civil rights in the region.

UPDATE: The game has been removed from both the App Store and the Play Store in Hong Kong.