South Korean video game developer Krafton has announced that the Indian version of its popular game PUBG will be called Battlegrounds Mobile India. The game, which will be available only in India, will provide a multiplayer gaming experience on the mobile phone.
This comes after the original version of the game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) Mobile had been banned in India in September following a ban on Chinese apps. - PUBG was published by the Chinese internet firm Tencent in India. Following this, PUBG Corporation had said it would no longer authorize the game to Tencent Games in India.
In an official release, Krafton states that Battlegrounds Mobile India will offer a “world-class AAA multiplayer gaming experience”, further adding that it will feature “exclusive in-game events like outfits and features, and will have its own esports ecosystem with tournaments and leagues.” However, gamers who frequently participated in international PUBG Mobile events through the game would be disheartened to note that Krafton has already confirmed that Battlegrounds Mobile India will only be available to play within India. Therefore, it is likely that the game will work similarly to Game For Peace, the parallel port of the game that Krafton operates in China.
In what is also a clear nod towards prerequisites that may have been set by central authorities in India, a Krafton spokesperson states, “With privacy and data security being a top priority, (we) will be working with partners, to ensure data protection and security at each stage. This will ensure privacy rights are respected, and all data collection and storage will be in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in India and for players here.” The publisher has also put up an updated document detailing the game’s terms and conditions, which now includes limitations on the amount of time and money that underage players of the game can spend on it.
In November, PUBG Corporation had announced that it will set up an Indian subsidiary and launch a new India-specific version of the game. The company, along with its parent firm Krafton, would invest $100 million as it seeks to revive business in the country which is the largest market for PUBG in terms of the number of users.
India is the largest market for the game with over 175 million downloads -- about a quarter of the global downloads -- according to SensorTower data.
The investment by Krafton, the South Korean parent company, and PUBG Corporation will be the largest by a Korean firm in India outside of the manufacturing sector.
The company will have a pre-registration period before launch. “Krafton will collaborate with partners to build an esports ecosystem while bringing in-game content regularly, starting with a series of India-specific in-game events at launch, to be announced later,” said the company. The iOS launch of the game Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) is also teased by Krafton on their official Instagram handle.
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