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New PQube Early Access game Fight of Gods caused a bit of an uproar over the weekend in Malaysia. After launching last week, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) wanted the government to band the game following the addition of Jesus Christ as a playable character.
The game features many religious figures as fighters, including Moses and Buddha, as well as figures from the mythologies of ancient Greece and Egypt. The Commission reportedly asked Valve to geoblock the game on Steam for Malaysia, but this did not happen quickly enough and Steam was blocked in its entirety.
According to IGN, the MCMC issued a statement shortly after the ban was put in place from Minister Salleh Said Keruak, who said: "(to ensure) solidarity, harmony, and wellbeing of the multi-racial and multi-religious people in the country are the main objectives of the government. The government will not compromise with any action that can jeopardize these objectives."
The game has now been removed from Steam in Malaysia and Steam access restored in the area. Fight of Gods is still on sale in multiple regions, including the UK. Speaking in a statement to our sister site, MCV, a spokesperson from PQube and developer Digital Crafter said: "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 provides 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."
