The video game distribution website, Steam, has been blocked in Malaysia. Censors at the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) took offence at a game called, Fight of Gods, and took immediate action by denying citizens
access to the Steam store.
Apparently Valve, the company behind the Steam website were given the chance to block the offending game from Malaysia gamers but did not respond quickly enough for the authorities. Malaysians who try to access the store
get the message in English and Malay:
This website is not available in Malaysia as it violate(s) the National law(s).
Fight of Gods pits mythological deities, Jesus included, against one another.
Promotional material for Fight of Gods reads:
Your prayers have been answered! For the first time ever, gods, holy spirits and mythological characters from around the globe and throughout history will clash in an
explosive 2D fighter where the entire world is at stake!
Who will prevail in the ultimate battle of gods? Will Jesus, fresh from ripping himself off the sacrificial cross, smite all his foes with the power of his Punishment Fist?
Can Buddha slap his opponents into submission?
Harness the power of fire, lightning, water, plagues and more as you pit gods and prophets such as Odin, Zeus, Amaterasu, Anubis, Moses and Athena against one
another in one of the most unique and outlandish fighters ever created.
The games company debuted a trailer featuring Jesus this week . That caused quite a stir, with mainstream media outlets gleefully reporting Jesus' addition to the
game, with his deadpan fight introduction voice-over of I'm back, for the people. Jesus then rips himself off his cross and uses the remaining wood to beat a variety of opponents. Mohamed is notably missing from the line-up of foes.
Fight of Gods
publisher PQube has provided a statement:
Fight of Gods is a video game that takes a humorous approach to religion in the same way that other entertainment formats have -- across television, film, books and theatre.
The game is not promoting any religious agenda and is not designed to offend. The description of the game on the digital platforms through which it is distributed provide clear guidance on the nature of the game and its content so
that people can freely choose whether or not to play it. We fully respect the choice of those who would not wish to play it.
We are disappointed that such freedom of choice is not given to everyone and in particular that the game
has been forcibly removed from sale in Malaysia, although no direct communication has been received by us as to the reasons for this.
Update: Thai Buddhists too
12th September 2017 See
article from nationmultimedia.com
Manat Chareekote, of the Knowing Buddha Organisation, described his group as a Thai non-profit agency seeking to protect Buddhist symbols from being subjected to disrespect. In a letter to the gaming company, Manat said:
The Buddha image had been wrongfully appropriated in the game. It desperately saddens us to see the image of our respected father used in such a role in the game like this. It really breaks Buddhists' hearts all around the world. How
could you and your team hurt and offend others' beliefs?
Religious and historical images were meant to be respected. It was inappropriate to use them for entertainment or commercial purposes.
His organisation
caused for the games company to cease selling the game in every country where it was distributed.
Update: And of course Rajan Zed
12th September 2017 See
article from rajanzed.org
Eternal whinger Rajan Zed has censured Fight of Gods video game saying that it trivializes some highly revered religious figures.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that unnecessarily dragging religious figures
into battle, who were greatly revered by the adherents of their respective faiths, to sell video game for mercantile greed was very disrespectful, highly inappropriate, insensitive and could be disturbing for some faithful.
Rajan Zed further said
that Hindus were for free speech as much as anybody else if not more. ..BUT... faith was something sacred and attempts at belittling it hurt the devotees. Video game makers should be more sensitive while handling faith related subjects, as
these games left lasting impact on the minds of highly impressionable children, teens and other young people.