The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) announced Tuesday that the controversial mobile and PC game Gorebox has been removed from the Google Play Store and Steam in the Philippines, following its ban last week.
Restriction Details
In a Tuesday statement, the CICC confirmed that Google granted the Philippine government's request to block access to the game. The online gaming component of Gorebox has also been blocked. The restriction prevents users in the Philippines from downloading the game and renders it unresponsive beyond the loading screen for those who had installed it before the ban.
Government Response
Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda welcomed the cooperation from Google and Steam. "With this restriction, we are assured that minors will no longer be able to access such a violent game," Aguda said.
The block followed a Monday meeting between the DICT, CICC, and representatives from Google Philippines and Google LLC. Aguda reiterated the government's request to restrict nationwide access until measures ensure minors cannot easily access the game. Steam also complied with the temporary restriction.
Background of the Ban
Last Tuesday, the CICC announced a temporary ban on Gorebox after a police investigation into the deadly school shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City revealed that one of the two teen shooters was an avid player of the game.
