''Liberate Hong Kong'' is a simulation video game developed by Hong Kong-based activists during the
2019–2020 Hong Kong protests
The 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests (also known by other names) were a series of demonstrations against the Hong Kong government's introduction of a bill to amend the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance in regard to extradition. It was the largest ...
. The game simulates a protest environment in Hong Kong, and the protagonist is an unarmed and unnamed protester.
The game was released for
Microsoft Windows
Windows is a Product lining, product line of Proprietary software, proprietary graphical user interface, graphical operating systems developed and marketed by Microsoft. It is grouped into families and subfamilies that cater to particular sec ...
and
Mac OS
Mac operating systems were developed by Apple Inc. in a succession of two major series.
In 1984, Apple debuted the operating system that is now known as the classic Mac OS with its release of the original Macintosh System Software. The system ...
in November 2019, and supports
virtual reality
Virtual reality (VR) is a Simulation, simulated experience that employs 3D near-eye displays and pose tracking to give the user an immersive feel of a virtual world. Applications of virtual reality include entertainment (particularly video gam ...
devices such as
Oculus Rift
Oculus Rift is a discontinued line of virtual reality headsets, virtual reality headsets developed and manufactured by Oculus VR, a virtual reality company founded by Palmer Luckey that is widely credited with reviving the virtual reality indust ...
and
HTC Vive
HTC Vive is a line of Virtual reality, virtual and mixed reality Virtual reality headset, headsets produced by HTC, HTC Corporation. The brand currently encompasses headsets designed for use with Personal computer, personal computers as well a ...
.
Gameplay
Played from first-person perspective, police attack the protesters with a variety of weapons, but the protesters, being completely unarmed, cannot return fire. Playing as one of the protesters, the player must dodge police attacks and keep protesting without getting arrested. The game does not end until the player gets arrested or shot by the police.
Development
''Liberate Hong Kong'' was developed by a group of activists in under a week and takes approximately 10 minutes to play.
The developers recorded chants heard and spray-painted text seen on the streets of Hong Kong.
Reception
South China Morning Post
The ''South China Morning Post'' (''SCMP''), with its Sunday edition, the ''Sunday Morning Post'', is a Hong Kong-based English-language newspaper owned by Alibaba Group. Founded in 1903 by Tse Tsan-tai and Alfred Cunningham, it has remaine ...
's Abacus described that the developers see it as part of the protest movement while then game has limited gameplay elements.
Agence France-Presse
Agence France-Presse (; AFP) is a French international news agency headquartered in Paris, France. Founded in 1835 as Havas, it is the world's oldest news agency.
With 2,400 employees of 100 nationalities, AFP has an editorial presence in 260 c ...
analyzed that the player cannot engage in violent actions, instead discarding incoming projectiles like tear gas rounds.
It was livestreamed by ''
Hearthstone
''Hearthstone'' is a 2014 Online game, online digital collectible card game, digital collectible card video game produced by Blizzard Entertainment, released under the free-to-play model. Originally subtitled ''Heroes of Warcraft'', ''Hearthsto ...
''
streamer Blitzchung, the subject of the
Blitzchung controversy
In October 2019, United States, American video game developer Blizzard Entertainment punished Ng Wai Chung () (known as Blitzchung), a Hong Kong esports player of the online video game ''Hearthstone (video game), Hearthstone'', for voicing his ...
in October 2019. In December 2019, the developers wrote an open letter to game distribution service
Steam
Steam is water vapor, often mixed with air or an aerosol of liquid water droplets. This may occur due to evaporation or due to boiling, where heat is applied until water reaches the enthalpy of vaporization. Saturated or superheated steam is inv ...
, accusing the storefront of censoring the game.
References
Further reading
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External links
Game developer Facebook PageGame Official Page
{{2019–2020 Hong Kong protests
2019 video games
MacOS games
Video games developed in Hong Kong
Video games set in Hong Kong
Windows games
Oculus Rift games
HTC Vive games
Works about the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests
Culture of Hong Kong