In a shocking move, the video game services provider Google has banned the popular satirical indie game, Luck be a Landlord, in thirteen countries. Developed by the independent studio, Rolling Bones, the controversial game is known for its dark but clever satire of the current housing and gentrification crisis.
Luck be a Landlord tasks players with creating a multi-million-euro business empire through buying up properties and subletting them at an increasingly higher rate. Billed as a “capitalistic exploration”, the game has proven both popular and controversial, as players are subjected to the realities of unchecked gentrification as they progress.
The move to ban the game in thirteen countries has been met with shock and criticism. Google has labelled the game as “inappropriate content”, citing obscenities and controversial commentary.
GAME Platforms campaign is lobbying for the game to be unbanned, citing its intelligence and insight. The organisation points to Luck be a Landlord’s interactive element, which allows players to grapple with the consequences of their actions.
Notably, the ban has raised wider questions about censorship and video game content. In a press statement, Rolling Bones argued that banning the game would stifle the company’s creative freedom. There are also implications for other indie games, with Luck be a Landlord setting a precedent that could shape the freedom of expression for indie developers.
As the debate rages, it remains to be seen whether Google will revisit its decision and heed the calls for the game’s reinstatement. In the meantime, the game remains unavailable in the nations listed by Google, much to the disappointment of its many fans.
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