A game that requires players to bludgeon Aboriginal Australians to death has prompted outrage and been removed from stores, raising questions as to how an app that warns players to "beware of Aborigines" was ever allowed online.
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Thousands of people have signed a petition calling for the immediate removal of Survival Island 3: Australia Story 3D from Apple's iTunes App Store and Google Play and demanding an apology from the app's developers.
According to a screenshot on the Killing Indigenous Australians is not a game! change.org petition launched on Friday evening, white men armed with bows and arrows are told to "beware of Aborigines" and must shoot or beat Indigenous people to death to survive and earn points.
Further screenshots posted by gamer R2 Darksaber before the app was removed from app stores overnight depict a dead Aboriginal Australian lying on parched ground and a white arm wielding a stone axe.
The game's description promises users an "unforgettable experience".
"Your goal is to survive... You also have to fight with aboriginals ... It will be an unforgettable experience, so just enjoy!"
The game is rated 12+ by Apple and was released last month, costing $4.49.
It has variously been described as "absolutely abhorrent", "abominable" and "beyond racist" by petitioners who have flocked to condemn the game's contents.
Racial Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane encouraged people offended by the game to make an official complaint.
"It's unacceptable to see such promotion of violence and hatred against Aboriginal people," he said.
Bianca Jagger, human rights activist and former wife of Mick Jagger, tweeted that she was shocked by the "despicable" app.
Killing #Aborigines is a crime and it should be condemned by everyone. Ban this despicable #NIL Entertainment app https://t.co/lIlKVTXD1x
— Bianca Jagger (@BiancaJagger) January 15, 2016
Apple confirmed that the app is not available in its App Store but would not make any further comment, while Google declined to comment. Fairfax Media has been unable to verify the app and has contacted its developer for comment.
- with Adam Gartrell