The Philippine government’s restriction on GoreBox has gone beyond blocking new downloads, with the online game now becoming inaccessible even on many devices where it had already been installed.
The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) verified that GoreBox is no longer available through the Google Play Store and Steam in the Philippines.
The agency also confirmed reports from players that the game no longer functions beyond its loading screen after Google implemented the nationwide restriction.
The verification came after Google granted the Philippine government’s request to block access to the game across the country. The move followed Steam’s earlier decision to temporarily restrict access to GoreBox in the Philippines, making both major digital distribution platforms compliant with the government’s appeal.
“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,” said Henry Aguda, secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
“This also shows that collaboration between government and tech companies can deliver timely solutions to emerging digital risks,” he added.
According to the CICC’s Threat Monitoring Center, the restriction prevents users in the Philippines from downloading GoreBox and also renders the online game unresponsive beyond its loading screen on devices where it had already been installed.
The DICT and the CICC met Monday with representatives from Google Philippines and Google LLC, where Aguda reiterated the government’s request to restrict nationwide access to GoreBox until the platform could ensure that minors cannot easily bypass its age restrictions.
Last week, the CICC raised concerns with Google and Steam over the accessibility of the R-18 sandbox game to minors following the fatal shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, where three students were killed and several others were injured.
Investigators found that one of the two teenage suspects was an avid player of GoreBox, a game developed by F2Games.
“We also laud this action by Steam as it recognizes the need for violent video games such as GoreBox to put in place strict safety measures that protect Filipino children from the possible dangers of repeated exposure to violent content,” said Alvin Navarro.
During the meeting with Google, the CICC emphasized the responsibility of app distribution platforms to strengthen digital safety, particularly in preventing minors from accessing violent content. Representatives from the Department of Education and the Department of Social Welfare and Development also attended the meeting.
This version fits your usual news style: one concise lead, followed immediately by the verification and then the background. It also preserves the stronger angle that the restriction effectively disabled already installed copies, not just future download
