MCMC lifts block on Steam, bans 'Fight of Gods' in M'sia

PETALING JAYA: The government has lifted a block on Steam after the video game platform provider adhered to its request for the offensive "Fight of Gods" game to be banned in the country.
"Steam had disabled the download of the game in Malaysia in accordance with our warning and request last night.
"Will uplift the blocking today," Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak said in a tweet this morning.
Later in a statement, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) confirmed the unblocking of the popular digital distribution Steam store.
"We are committed in protecting our consumers' interest and will not compromise with any quarters that degrade or disrespect the religious sanctity and interracial harmony of our country," it said.
MCMC also reminded users to be more wary and careful when choosing contents to be accessed on the internet.
The lifting of the block on Steam comes as a relief to avid gamers here who vented their frustration on social media, unimpressed by the government's decision to block the site initially.
Steam was blocked by MCMC yesterday after it failed to comply to a 24-hour notice for it to ban Fight of Gods from being downloaded by users in Malaysia.
Fight of Gods, which made its global debut on Sept 4 through Steam Early Access, among others, added Jesus Christ and Gautama Buddha as fight characters and is available to Malaysians for only RM11.
The game, which was developed by Taiwanese gaming studio Digital Crafter, already featured the likes of Greek god Zeus, the Viking Odin, Guan Gong and Moses when it was first announced in March, and even planned to add Prophet Muhammad to its stable of fighter.
Following an uproar by religious leaders, MCMC has requested Steam to block access to the game from being downloaded within 24 hours, or face consequences.