PUBG Mobile India launch remains uncertain as new leadership take the reins

PUBG Mobile India launch remains without a date but a new development in PUBG India subsidiary may spring up some hope in the hearts of fans who have been waiting for weeks now. PUBG Mobile was banned by the Government of India on September 2 citing security and privacy concerns along with other 118 apps. The company was quick to cut ties with Tencent, the company with the license to operate the game in India. Soon after, PUBG Corporation announced that a special version of PUBG Mobile was being developed that is in-line with Indian culture.

Krafton Inc. the parent company of PUBG Corp has appointed Aneesh Aravind as the Country Manager for PUBG Mobile in India. Aravind’s last stint was notably with Tencent, the game’s previous publisher. Moreover, the company is also busy expanding its team in India and more people have joined the development of PUBG Mobile India in recent weeks. Krafton has also brought on Karan Pathak as the Senior Esports Manager along with Arpita Priyadarshini as the Senior Community Manager. 

Interestingly, all of them were previously working with Tencent and have now joined the PUBG India team that has the license to publish PUBG Mobile in India. That said, there is no official update from the company as to when we can expect PUBG Mobile India to resume operations in the country. The last we heard from the company was when it released a website and a teaser video featuring three popular PUBG Mobile players, Aaditya ‘Dynamo’ Sawant, Jonathan Amaral and Chetan ‘Kronten’ Chandgude.

PUBG has also established an Indian subsidiary and has announced a partnership with Microsoft to use its Azure cloud services to store users data. These developments, however, have not led to any positive conclusion for the game’s impending launch. 

According to previous reports (1,2), multiple RTI responses reveal that the Indian government remains fixated on the ongoing ban on PUBG Mobile in India. “MeitY does not grant permission for starting of any websites / mobile Apps / service. Accordingly, MeitY has not granted permission to PUBG / PUBG mobile India,” reads one RTI response from the government. PUBG India officials have reportedly tried to meet with the government but are yet to receive any response for their request. Additionally, 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.

PUBG Mobile India is a custom-version being developed for the Indian market and features a virtual simulation ground, clothed characters, green damage effects, restriction settings and more. Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about the return of PUBG Mobile in India. PUBG Mobile was also the highest grossing mobile game of 2020 and you can read more about it here.

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