Valve Removes Game Following UK Counter-Terrorism Unit Request
Valve has taken action to remove a game from its British Steam storefront after a request from the UK’s counter-terrorism unit. The FPS/TPS Fursan al-Aqsa: The Knights of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which delves into the Israel x Palestine conflict from a Palestinian perspective, was removed following communication with developer Nidal Nijm. Steam informed Nijm of the UK authorities’ request to block the game and impose country restrictions.
Reason Behind Removal
When contacted by the Brazilian developer, Steam stated that they were responding to a request from UK authorities to block the game. Nijm inquired about the specific reason for the ban, highlighting the similarities between his game and other shooter games like Call of Duty. Steam’s response mentioned that they were contacted by the Counter Terrorism Command of the United Kingdom, specifically the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU), and were required to comply with their requests.
Political Influence
Nijm expressed his belief that the UK’s decision to region-lock his game was politically motivated. He shifted the blame away from Valve and Steam, placing it on the UK government and authorities who took issue with the content of the game. Nijm drew attention to what he perceived as double standards, citing examples from popular shooter games like Call of Duty.
Game Description and Bans
Fursan al-Aqsa describes itself as “the Palestinian Max Payne on steroids” and the “most BASED game of all times.” Despite being updated to include recent events, the game has faced bans in Germany and Australia for not going through the countries’ classification boards.
The game remains available for purchase outside the UK, including in the US. Within the UK, the Steam page displays a message stating that the item is unavailable in the region.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the removal of Fursan al-Aqsa from the British Steam storefront sheds light on the complex intersection of politics and gaming content regulation. The actions taken by UK authorities have sparked debate around censorship and the perceived biases in determining which games are deemed acceptable for distribution.
FAQs
Q: Why was the game removed from the UK Steam storefront?
A: The game was removed following a request from the UK’s counter-terrorism unit, citing concerns over the content.
Q: Is the game still available for purchase?
A: The game can still be purchased online outside of the UK, but it is unavailable within the UK region on Steam.
Q: What were the developer’s response to the removal?
A: The developer expressed frustration with the political motivations behind the UK’s decision to block the game, highlighting what he sees as a double standard in content regulation.
Credit: www.eurogamer.net
