Tropico 5 city-building game considered a threat to national security

[webfact]

Tropico 5 city-building game considered a threat to national security

BANGKOK, 5 August 2014 (NNT) - The Department of Cultural Promotion (DCP) under the Culture Ministry has been ordered by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to ban the distribution and sales of the computer game Tropico 5 across Thailand.

New Era Interactive Media, a well-known game distributor in Thailand, posted a message on its personal Facebook account informing clients of the decision of a DCP board on films and video games which found that parts of the game’s content might have an effect on the nation’s security. Therefore, the company has been prohibited to release the game publicly.

Tropico 5 is a strategy game that focuses on building a nation much like the popular computer game series SimCity. However, there is a slight twist to the game’s plot.

Players of the game assume the role of a president of a deserted island. In order to finish the game, he/she must manage the country successfully, and at one point, stage a coup to dethrone the ruling monarch. For this reason, it may cause a rift between people who have differing political views.

Nonetheless, many gamers worldwide have disagreed that the game contains inappropriate content. In fact, a lot of them have voiced out it is a relaxing game that provides great stress relief.

[nnt]2014-08-05[/nnt]

[webfact]

NOTICE

 

Thaivisa will temporarily impose strict limitations on any comments that can be construed as being negative about the imposition of Martial Law or the Coup.  

 

Posts contravening the policy will be removed without notice.

 

Please exercise extreme care in your posts. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.  

 

/Admin

[Paulzed]

http://www.pcgamer.com/2014/08/04/tropico-5-denied-release-in-thailand-censors-fear-it-might-affect-peace-and-order-in-the-country/

[JesseFrank]

When the population of a country consists of people who can't distinguish between a game and reality, then you need to imply such rules.

Edited August 5, 2014 by JesseFrank

[Payboy]

It's time to relaunch Donkey Kong.

[toybits]

Too close to home - perhaps?

[SABloke]

I know about this: Have not had the time to play it, but have watched gameplay footage and it is very satirical and fun - it takes the piss out of politics for hte past few hundred years. You basically take charge of a small island nation, at one point you stage a revolution to break away from your imperial masters (not a coup) and then you're left to build and rule how you see fit - you enact constitutions, have elections which can be free to all, or maybe just wealthy people are allowed to vote, or no women votes etc (vote buying is included :-) or rule with an iron fist (this might result in your citizens revolting against you, however). It is a GAME!!!! Edited August 5, 2014 by SABloke

[phosphorescent]

There is another game called 'Civilization'. Perhaps they should ban that too to prevent anyone having grandiose ideas!

[alocacoc]

I bet cookie run is a bigger threat. Not for the national security, but for the intellect of the people. May be exactly this is desired.

[casindonet]

Guess the game seems too real if you compare it to thailand situation.

[Thai at Heart]

They have corruption in every corner of society but do little or nothing to stop it, but they have time to ban things like this.

Truly bizarre.

[daoyai]

I hope the international media, including Jon Stewart and John Oliver pick up on this story, we all need a laugh.

[jonclark]

Great publicity for the game makers - I'd never heard of the game....until now. 

[webfact]

Thai junta bans computer game simulating dictatorship

BANGKOK, August 5, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's junta has banned a computer game which allows players to craft their own military dictatorship in a fictional paradise where "sunny beaches and political corruption" co-exist, authorities said Tuesday.

The simulation game Tropico 5 gives players the chance to build their own forms of government on a remote island.

It is sold under the tagline: "Imagine a place where the people never go hungry, all work has a decent wage and the weather is forever bright and sunny -- just make sure you always vote El Presidente."

"Tropico 5 has been banned but I cannot give the reason unless you ask permission from our Director-General," an unnamed official at the Video and Film Office, part of the Ministry of Culture, told AFP.

Thai game distributor New Era Interactive Media said it received a letter from the Ministry of Culture on Monday banning its sale in the kingdom.

The company's marketing manager Nonglak Sahavattanapong told AFP late Monday it was "disappointed" by the move to ban the game, made by Bulgarian game developer Haemimont.

She said it had been blocked "because some parts of stories within the game affect Thailand's situation".

She did not give further details of the offending storylines, but said "players can play roles as a leader of a country -- they can choose systems of how to run the country".

The Ministry of Culture now falls under the remit of the Thai Navy Chief -- a deputy leader of the junta -- following the fall of the battered civilian administration to a May 22 army coup.

On the Tropico5.com website, the game is trailed as giving players a "land of opportunity: a blank slate where any political ideal or mad inspiration can be made possible".

Since seizing power, Thai Army Chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha has suspended democracy, muzzled dissent and imposed sweeping curbs on media freedoms as he bids to end years of bitter political divisions.

He has launched a "return happiness" to the people public relations campaign in parallel with the crackdown on dissent.

A newly-appointed national assembly will meet for the first time this week.

It is charged with forging a binding constitution which analysts say is likely to target the influence of billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawtara, who is accused by the Bangkok-based establishment of fomenting widespread corruption.

He was ousted in a 2006 coup and lives in self-exile, but still occupies centre-stage in Thailand's political drama.

Parties led by a Shinawatra, or linked to them, have won every election since 2001.

[afp]2014-08-05[/afp]

[Amavel]

I cannot make comment without fear of not complying with censorship rules. Edited August 5, 2014 by Amavel

[rreddin]

There is another game called 'Civilization'. Perhaps they should ban that too to prevent anyone having grandiose ideas!

 

There is also one called "Risk". It was board game in my earlier days and I do not know if has made it into onlime gaming. The idea behind it was to take over the World and prevent your oponents from doing the same. It was billed as a strategy game. A game would last for hours or even days.

 

The issue, as i see it, is not the game itself, but the ideas the game might develop. A bit like reading a certain book in public. Well, that is another one on Britt's list ticked off.
 

[harryfrompattaya]

Great publicity for the game makers - I'd never heard of the game....until now. 

America should fellow suit and do the same

[Chicog]

Given that you can be arrested for reading George Orwell, why does this surprise anyone?

[Eddy B]

I needed a good laugh and this is it. It's just a game where players actually have to use their brains and not brawn, no wonder they do not want it here in Thailand.

[h90]

I hope the international media, including Jon Stewart and John Oliver pick up on this story, we all need a laugh.

 

They could first look to Europe.....in German are tons of games, music, books banned and no one speaks about it. Sure other countries have similar lists.

[webfact]

Tropico 5 computer game banned in Thailand
 


BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Culture has banned "Tropico 5" computer game after this video game is considered a threat to national security because it could incite public unrest.

 

The ministry’s Department of Cultural Promotion (DCP) banned the video game under instruction by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

It bans the distribution and sales of the computer game Tropico 5 across Thailand.

New Era Interactive Media, a well-known game distributor in Thailand, posted a message on its personal Facebook account informing clients of the decision of a DCP board on films and video games which found that parts of the game’s content might have an effect on the nation’s security.

It said therefore the company has been prohibited to release the game publicly.

Tropico 5 is a strategy game that focuses on building a nation much like the popular computer game series SimCity. However, there is a slight twist to the game’s plot.

It is a video game developed by Haemimont Games.

It is a construction and management simulation video game, which focuses around a city building simulation.

For the first time in the series the game will feature cooperative or competitive multiplayer, for up to four players per every given island. The players will be able to build cities on the same island, allowing the choice of working with one another, or against.

Players of the game assume the role of a president of a deserted island. In order to finish the game, he/she must manage the country successfully, and at one point, stage a coup to dethrone the ruling monarch. For this reason, it may cause a rift between people who have differing political views.

Nonetheless, many gamers worldwide have disagreed that the game contains inappropriate content. In fact, a lot of them have voiced out it is a relaxing game that provides great stress relief.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/tropico-5-computer-game-banned-thailand/

[thaipbs]2014-08-05[/thaipbs]

[lemonjelly]

They're making Thailand look ridiculous by banning this game, so silly.

[Bluespunk]

"Thai game distributor New Era Interactive Media said it received a letter from the Ministry of Culture on Monday banning its sale in the kingdom."

"Awesome publicity" was their coded response to the ban. Now if only they can get Kim K to play the game on her show then the future will really be profitable

[MaxYakov]

I know about this: Have not had the time to play it, but have watched gameplay footage and it is very satirical and fun - it takes the piss out of politics for hte past few hundred years. You basically take charge of a small island nation, at one point you stage a revolution to break away from your imperial masters (not a coup) and then you're left to build and rule how you see fit - you enact constitutions, have elections which can be free to all, or maybe just wealthy people are allowed to vote, or no women votes etc (vote buying is included :-) or rule with an iron fist (this might result in your citizens revolting against you, however). It is a GAME!!!!

 

Correction. It appears to the a "simulation game". These invoke and involve thought. A marketing simulation game was used by one my professors in school to pit teams against each other in a simulated music market. A very effective and addictive training tool.

Edited August 5, 2014 by MaxYakov

[belg]

if i were them, i would ban the game : CHESS

 

because we all know what the purpose of that game is, right ?

 

 

[WhizBang]

Oh good grief.  What next?

 

Perhaps they are concerned that the game could be used as a training sim for would be revolutionaries?

 

I might suggest to the General that there are much more important things to deal with.  Say, for example, reforming the Culture Ministry.  

[MaxYakov]

if i were them, i would ban the game : CHESS

 

because we all know what the purpose of that game is, right ?

 

 

 

Uh, now you've done it!

 

Although I'm not so convinced that these days "we all know" the "purpose" (you meant the winning goal, of course) of Chess.

[maxtingtong]

I would rather investigate lakorn contents that's really a threat to national security.

By the way I played Tropico 1 and 4 through the years, great game! Dunno about last version but previous ones were localized in Caribbean islands.
Will try out the 5 next trip abroad :)

[laocowboy2]

I had never heard of this game - and I would guess the same would apply to 99.9% of the population in Thailand.

 

Now because of the publicity, this is likely to become the most pirated software in the Kingdom - and that is saying something.

 

Action against any software (magazine article, game, film) usually has the effect of magnifying the harmful effect - as many Hollywood celebs and politicians have found out.

 

Ignoring it would have been the better (non)move.

 

Thai junta bans computer game simulating dictatorship

BANGKOK, August 5, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's junta has banned a computer game which allows players to craft their own military dictatorship in a fictional paradise where "sunny beaches and political corruption" co-exist, authorities said Tuesday.

The simulation game Tropico 5 gives players the chance to build their own forms of government on a remote island.

It is sold under the tagline: "Imagine a place where the people never go hungry, all work has a decent wage and the weather is forever bright and sunny -- just make sure you always vote El Presidente."

"Tropico 5 has been banned but I cannot give the reason unless you ask permission from our Director-General," an unnamed official at the Video and Film Office, part of the Ministry of Culture, told AFP.

Thai game distributor New Era Interactive Media said it received a letter from the Ministry of Culture on Monday banning its sale in the kingdom.

The company's marketing manager Nonglak Sahavattanapong told AFP late Monday it was "disappointed" by the move to ban the game, made by Bulgarian game developer Haemimont.

She said it had been blocked "because some parts of stories within the game affect Thailand's situation".

She did not give further details of the offending storylines, but said "players can play roles as a leader of a country -- they can choose systems of how to run the country".

The Ministry of Culture now falls under the remit of the Thai Navy Chief -- a deputy leader of the junta -- following the fall of the battered civilian administration to a May 22 army coup.

On the Tropico5.com website, the game is trailed as giving players a "land of opportunity: a blank slate where any political ideal or mad inspiration can be made possible".

Since seizing power, Thai Army Chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha has suspended democracy, muzzled dissent and imposed sweeping curbs on media freedoms as he bids to end years of bitter political divisions.

He has launched a "return happiness" to the people public relations campaign in parallel with the crackdown on dissent.

A newly-appointed national assembly will meet for the first time this week.

It is charged with forging a binding constitution which analysts say is likely to target the influence of billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawtara, who is accused by the Bangkok-based establishment of fomenting widespread corruption.

He was ousted in a 2006 coup and lives in self-exile, but still occupies centre-stage in Thailand's political drama.

Parties led by a Shinawatra, or linked to them, have won every election since 2001.

[afp]2014-08-05[/afp]

 

[JoeThePoster]

So, I should abandon this Cookie Jar Run game that I'm developing.