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And since the dictatorship has been in place, it's been strict on its people. According to, Thailand television viewers, for example, see only blurred images of things like cigarrettes and alcohol and almost completely eradicate suggestive sexual themes or things that might go against the dictatorship way of life. Oddly enough, the game was released in May, the same month when the current dictatorship in Thailand began. "Tropico 3 and 4 both enjoyed successful releases in the country and although the Tropico brand does have a realistic political element to it, the scenarios and content are all delivered with a certain trademark tongue in cheek humor." Kalypso Media, past distributor of Tropico 3 and Tropico 4 in Thailand, had this to say about the Tropico 5 situation: Cuba's long-time dictator and one of America's most memorable presidents back-to-back on the cover? This game is definitely trying to make a political statement, but with some humor involved since their smiles look creepy and too wide to be believed. As a result, the Film and Censorship Office banned the game, saying that "some contents of the game are not appropriate for the current situation," according to .īut here's the kicker: the game's cover art has an image of Fidel Castro and Abraham Lincoln look-alikes, back-to-back while smiling, with the world right beneath their elbows. Perhaps the Film and Censorship Office believes that the democratic influence - or the possibility of another type of government other than a dictatorship - could cause an uprising or revolt from the people. Unfortunately, the gamers of Thailand won't be able to experience the game.

According to the game's official website,, the game features the ability to dictate "from the early colonial period to beyond the 21st century." The game also features challenges such as "advanced trading mechanics, technology, scientific research, exploration" and a co-op/competitive multiplayer experience allowing up to four players to play together.

It's an extremely popular video game but it has very strong political - and possibly influential - themes to it. That must be why the new "dictator simulator," Tropico 5, was recently banned by the Film and Censorship Office of Thailand, which is conveniently under military 'junta' supervision. The junta has issued several edicts that critics say infringe on media freedom and free speech." Tropico 5 made its PC debut on May 23, and is expected to reach consoles and mobile devices later this year." Thailand has been under a military dictatorship since May 22, when soldiers overthrew a civilian government in a coup.

"We've had licenses to distribute Tropico 3 and 4 before, but in the fifth installment, the story line has developed further and there might be some part of it that's not appropriate in the current situation." " a good game with positive reviews," Sahavattanapong told the Associated Press. This isn't the first time Thai censors have blocked politically incendiary creative works - a 2012 Thai production of MacBeth was shuttered over similar fears - but it is the first time they've blocked a Tropico entry due to the series' freeform themes of ruling a small banana republic. Tropico 5 won't appear on store shelves in Thailand thanks to fears that the game's themes of iron-fisted dictatorship might spark unrest in a country that lost its civilian government to military coup less than three months ago.Īccording to Nonglak Sahavattanapong, marketing manager at Thai publisher New Era Games, censors employed by the country's junta government banned Tropico 5 due to fears that "some part of its content might affect peace and order in the country." Sahavattanapong says the government offered no further explanation for its decision, but New Era Games will not attempt to seek an appeal.