Hong Kong bans mobile game promoting anti-communist content

Hong Kong has banned the mobile game Reversed Front: Bonfire for promoting anti-communist content. 

As reported by The BBC, authorities have warned that residents who download or share the game could face punishment under national security laws.

The game's description read that players can “pledge allegiance" to groups like Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Tibet “to overthrow the Communist regime".

“Reversed Front: Bonfire was released under the guise of a game with the aim of promoting secessionist agendas such as 'Taiwan independence' and 'Hong Kong independence'," said the police statement.

"Those who have downloaded the application should uninstall it immediately and must not attempt to defy the law."

The game, which launched in April, has now been removed from the Google Play and Apple’s App Store in Hong Kong.

Takedown pays off

The game's creators responded to the ban by saying it had effectively introduced the game to the entire Hong Kong audience, embracing the surge in attention.

Although removed from app stores in Hong Kong, the warning has sparked public interest, making the game the top Google search locally on June 11th 2025. 

Hong Kong police have warned that downloading the banned game may be considered possession of seditious material and also cautioned against funding its developer ESC Taiwan.