China's electronic and online gaming regulator issued an order
Wednesday to investigate and recover all copies of a computer
shooting game that allegedly smears China's national image.
"Project IGI2: Covert Strike" was accused of intentionally
blackening China and the Chinese army's image as a freelance
mercenary fights in the game across three linked campaigns in the
former Soviet Union, Libya and China, where he steals intelligence
and conducts sabotage in China and shoots at Chinese soldiers while
China's national flag and signs like "China Aviation" pop up
frequently.
The State Press and Publication Administration (SPPA) said the
game has violated China's gaming regulations that prohibit
introduction and publication of games that hurt China's national
dignity and interests.
All copies of the game, said SPPA sources, are illegal and will
be recovered. The game's publishers, producers and sellers in the
country will be punished according to law.
The game was created by the Norway-based Innerloop Studios AS
and published by the UK-based Codemasters last summer.
(Xinhua News Agency March 20, 2004)