Almost two months after finding itself on a list of 118 mobile applications deemed to be engaging in “activities which is prejudicial to [the] sovereignty and integrity of India, defense of India, security of state and public order,” PUBG Mobile is shutting down in the country under orders from the Modi Government.
Tencent Games, which has been handling operations in India for the Korean-based game’s mobile variant, released a statement on the ban:
“To comply with the interim order […] Tencent Games will terminate all service and access for users in India to PUBG Mobile Nordic Map: Livik and PUBG MOBILE Lite on October 30, 2020. The rights to publish PUBG Mobile in India will be returned to the owner of the PUBG intellectual property. Protecting user data has always been a top priority and we have always complied with applicable data protection laws and regulations in India. All users’ gameplay information is processed in a transparent manner, as disclosed in our privacy policy. We deeply regret this outcome, and sincerely thank you for your support and love for PUBG Mobile in India.”
PUBG Corporation has not made any updates regarding their efforts to work with the Modi Government to get the PUBG Mobile titles functioning under its supervision, but GameLuster will keep following this story and update as it develops.
Food For Thought
Given the lack of progress with PUBG Corporation, and the indecent haste with which Ncore Games (based in Bangalore) announced their battle royale FAU-G which takes place in a thinly fictionalized version of the real-world war zone of the Galwan Valley, Indian gamers are likely going to be out of luck for the immediate future. The stated aspirations of the Modi Government to grow India’s game industry are commendable, but this particular move is still incredibly petty.
