UK Blocks Controversial Shooter Amid Political Backlash

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As a long-time gamer with a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives and stories in video games, I find myself deeply troubled by Valve’s decision to remove ‘Fursan al-Aqsa: The Knights of the Al-Aqsa Mosque’ from their UK Steam store. The game, created by the talented Brazilian-Palestinian developer Nidal Nijm, offers a unique and much-needed narrative about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – a perspective that is rarely portrayed in mainstream games.

After a request from the UK’s Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU), Valve has taken down ‘Fursan al-Aqsa: The Knights of the Al-Aqsa Mosque’ from its Steam store in the UK. This game, created by Brazilian-Palestinian developer Nidal Nijm, presents the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a Palestinian point of view.

In October 2024, Valve reached out to me regarding the removal of the game, explaining: ‘We’ve been asked by UK authorities to take down the game and have implemented country restrictions accordingly.’ When I inquired about the details, Valve explained: ‘We received a communication from the Counter Terrorism Command of the United Kingdom, specifically the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU). As with any governing body for a region that controls what content can be accessible, we are obliged to follow their instructions.’

As a gamer, I understand that the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU), under the umbrella of the UK’s Metropolitan Police, is dedicated to scrubbing extremist material off the internet. They don’t usually discuss individual cases, but a representative shared this: ‘The CTIRU maintains strong ties with various technology companies, social media platforms, and online service providers. However, we prefer not to disclose details about specific content or our interactions with particular platforms or providers.’

As a gamer, I voiced my irritation, hinting at a political basis for the ban. I drew a parallel with mainstream games, pointing out: “If their reasoning is to be believed, the latest Call of Duty should also be banned. After all, you’re an American soldier going to Iraq to kill Iraqi people. To put it bluntly, it’s crystal clear that there are double standards at play here.

UK counter-terrorism unit demands Steam withdraw controversial shooter from sale

— Eurogamer (@eurogamer) December 1, 2024

Originally launched in April 2022, ‘Fursan al-Aqsa’ is a game that self-proclaims as ‘the Palestinian equivalent of Max Payne on steroids’ and ‘the most edgy video game ever made.’ However, this game has been prohibited in Germany and Australia because it failed to secure the appropriate age ratings.

Although it’s no longer accessible in the UK, the game continues to be playable in various other parts of the world, such as the United States. Users in the UK who try to visit the game’s Steam page will see a notification that reads, ‘This item is not available in your location.’

This event underlines the persistent discussion surrounding how complex political issues are presented in video games, as well as the role that platforms should play in managing such content.

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2024-12-02 01:44