The PUBG Mobile India launch has run into yet another roadblock as a new report now indicates that the game won’t be making a comeback for the next few months. This comes after the NCPCR (National Commission for Protection of Child Rights) opposed the launch of the popular battle royale game in India. PUBG Mobile was banned by the Indian government along with other 118 other apps over security and privacy concerns on September 2. In November, the developers revealed that they are making a special version of PUBG Mobile for the Indian players.
According to a report by InsideSport that cites a source in the know-how of things, PUBG Mobile India is unlikely to make a comeback before March 2021. “Efforts from PUBG were made in the right earnest, but the situation is such – that there has been no headwind or progress on the matter. We don’t see the game making a comeback in India for the next few months, at least not before March 2021. It’s unfortunate but everyone has to live with it,” the person told InsideSport.
This indicates that the game may not be hitting the Play Store or App Store anytime soon as the officials are yet to receive a nod from the Indian government. An RTI (Right to Information) was also filed with the Department on Electronics and Information Technology on November 30. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has responded to this RTI saying “MeitY has not given any permission for launch of PUBG”. The RTI was posted online on Instagram by Gem Esports.
These new developments come weeks after it was reported that PUBG India officials have requested a meeting with the authorities, but it is yet to receive any response from them. Moreover, the National Child Rights Association has also opposed the launch of PUBG Mobile in India as it first wants appropriate legislations to be put in place for such games before allowing PUBG India to relaunch the game in the country.
It is unknown as to how PUBG officials are currently mitigating the situation but there has been no official update from the developers since November 14 which is when it released a teaser featuring three popular PUBG Mobile players– Aaditya ‘Dynamo’ Sawant, Jonathan Amaral and Chetan ‘Kronten’ Chandgude.
PUBG Mobile India is set to feature customized content including a virtual simulation training ground, clothed characters from the start, green hit effects and restriction settings on game time to inculcate healthy gaming habits in younger players. Here are answers to some common questions about the return of PUBG Mobile in India.