Mature-rated sandbox game GoreBox is no longer accessible through the Google Play Store and Steam in the Philippines after both platforms complied with the government’s request to block nationwide access to the title, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) said in a media advisory.
The CICC said it had verified that the game can no longer be downloaded in the country and that some players who had previously installed the game reported that it had become unplayable, getting stuck on the loading screen after the restrictions took effect.
“We welcome Google’s decision to work with the Philippine government in promoting a safer online environment especially for our children. With this restriction, we are assured that minors will no longer be able to access such a violent game,” Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda said.
According to the CICC’s Threat Monitoring Center, the restriction effectively prevents users in the Philippines from downloading the game and limits access even for some existing players.
The DICT and the CICC met with representatives of Google Philippines and Google LLC on Monday to reiterate their request to restrict access to GoreBox until safeguards are in place to prevent minors from bypassing age restrictions.
Steam had earlier imposed a similar restriction, making the game inaccessible on both major digital distribution platforms.
The government sought the restrictions following the deadly shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, which left three students dead and several others injured.
Investigators found that the two teenage suspects were “avid players” of the game, which is an R-18 sandbox game developed by F2Games, prompting authorities to raise concerns over minors’ easy access to violent content online.
Last week, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla likewise called for a ban on violent video games.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros is leading a Senate inquiry on how to keep children safe online following the Tacloban school shooting, including discussions on online games, violent content, and possible risks faced by minors.
