Editor
Popular mobile game Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) is set to be relaunched soon, according to a statement from Krafton, the game's publisher. BGMI's earlier version, PlayerUnknown's Battleground (PUBG), was banned by the Indian government in 2020, along with 117 other apps linked to China.
Krafton expressed gratitude to Indian authorities for allowing the restart of BGMI and emphasized its commitment to complying with Indian laws. The company plans to invest in the Indian gaming industry, collaborate with local developers, and promote the use of advanced technologies.
The game prohibition has been lifted for a 90-day trial period, during which the government will assess compliance with Indian laws and determine whether to permanently lift the ban or reinstate it.
Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar tweeted that the approval for BGMI is a trial period of three months, during which user harm and addiction issues will be closely monitored before a final decision is made.
Krafton India's CEO, Sean Hyunil Sohn, expressed excitement about the relaunch of Battlegrounds Mobile India, stating the company's commitment to providing exceptional products and services to users in India and beyond.
Prior to the ban, PUBG had approximately 33 million users in India. Following the ban, PUBG Studios and Krafton registered PUBG India Private Ltd to relaunch PUBG Mobile in the country.
In May 2021, Krafton announced the launch of BGMI, which was released in July and August 2021 for Android and iOS devices, respectively. Within a year, BGMI surpassed 100 million registered users. However, it was later banned by the Indian government under the Information Technology Act.
Nitish Mittersain, CEO of Nazara Technologies, welcomed the return of BGMI in India and expressed confidence in collaborating with Krafton to create excellent esports experiences.
Nodwin Gaming, a subsidiary of Nazara Technologies, recently raised $28 million from Nazara, Krafton, Sony Group, JetSynthesis, and InnoPark India. Nodwin Gaming organizes esports tournaments and previously held competitions for PUBG and BGMI before the bans were imposed.