Malaysian Goverment Blocks Steam Because Of Fight Of Gods

[Update: Fight of Gods Banned in Malaysian Steam Store but the ban doubled the sales of the game in few days]

Publisher PQube and Developer Digital Crafter’s most recent game Fight Of Gods has created a massive uproar in Malaysia due to which its government has blocked Steam in the country as the game contains religious deities like Jesus, Moses, and Buddha as fighting characters they feel that it is offensive and hurts religious feelings of people.

Malaysian gamers tried accessing Steam Store from the browser but it was blocked and it promoted a message which states that it is blocked because its violate national law.

The Malaysian government says that it blocked Steam after it failed to respect the 24-hour deadline in which they asked to remove the game from Steam in Malaysian region and if that didn’t happen they will take any necessary action but as Valve didn’t listen the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission directed all ISP provider to block steam.

Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak the Communication and Multimedia Minister said it was necessary to protect citizens of the country and block only happened as they did not respect the 24-hour ultimatum.

“This action is necessary to protect the users and to prevent untoward incidents. (To ensure) solidarity, harmony, and well-being of the multiracial and multi-religious people in the country are the main objectives of the government.

According to Sun daily, a Malaysian news website Perlis Mufti Datuk Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin a religious leader condemn the game and said

“The government should immediately ban the game or block the download link to avoid the potential of religious tension in the country,”

“Any religion and religious leaders who are rational would downright condemn the game, as I’m sure no religion encourages violence and fighting against each other,”

The Deputy President of Malaysian Consultative Council Datuk R.S. Mohan Shan said that it was not acceptable and there should be an immediate ban on Fight Of Gods.

“This is a very sensitive issue, and it is totally not acceptable. We can never agree to such games. The government must take immediate action to ban the game’s sale here,”

“It is also unhealthy for children as they may idolise certain characters in the game they deem them to be more powerful due to the number of victories they score with that character.”

But PQube has their own story they said neither PQube representatives nor the development team Digital Crafter was contacted by Malaysian Government before the country wide ban on steam because of the game.

They further said that Fight Of Gods has no intention of disrespect or religious agenda and the game takes a comical approach religion just like any other entertainment media.

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. Nevertheless we respect any rules and censorship imposed in any given territory.

We have reached out to Steam and are working with them to resolve the situation as soon as possible.”

As predicted in the previous post the game is now facing huge problems and we may also not see Prophet Muhammad in the game which was wanted by most of the gamers. undoubtedly will not be available on Steam Store Malaysia but other regions outside the game can access it.

Fight Of Gods is available on steam at least for now but considering the situation other regions may also take action toward its. the game is priced at $7.99 but has a discount offer of 40% so you can get it at $4.99. for more information you can visit the Steam Page.