Another chapter in China’s struggle with video games and their impact on society made international news this week. Hong Kong authorities argue that Reversed Front: Bonfire promotes “armed revolution” and the overthrow of the “fundamental system” of mainland China.

“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,’ advocating armed revolution and the overthrow of the fundamental system of the People’s Republic of China established by the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China,” authorities wrote in an official statement. “It also has an intention to provoke hatred towards the Central Authorities and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.”

Anyone who downloads, uses, or makes in-app purchases withing Reversed Front: Bonfire would violate the city’s national security law, the statement later read.

The game, published by ESC Taiwan, lets players “pledge allegiance” to real-world countries and regions such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Tibet, and others in order “to overthrow the Communist regime,” according to the game’s website. The publisher refers to the game as a work of nonfiction.

Gameplay for Reversed Front: Bonfire is basic, according to gameplay videos released by the publisher. Players control teams of several characters in turn-based combat. Those segments are broken up by story segments presented by images and dialogue.

“Any similarity to actual agencies, policies or ethnic groups of the [People’s Republic of China] in this game is INTENTIONAL,” the website states.

The game creator has recognized the statement from Hong Kong authorities, thanking them for introducing the game to a whole new audience of players.

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