Gaming Industry Reacts To PUBG's Comeback

After a long suspension of India’s much-loved game, PUBG Mobile, KRAFTON Inc. has officially announced its return to the Indian gaming market as Battlegrounds Mobile India, reveals the recently released poster and logo by the company. While the essence of the battle royale title won’t be compromised, the new version will include features specifically catering to the Indian gaming market, says the company.

The game title has 175 million downloads out of 734 million from India, which makes India a huge potential market for gaming companies. Due to a prolonged border rift with China, India banned the gaming app, which was developed by Chinese tech giant Tencent, along with other Chinese apps for an indefinite time. Now with its relaunch news, the fans are over the moon, and also the experts from the industry, who are looking forward to the new version of the game. 

Demystifying Indian Consumer

Although the PUBG ban created a void last year and dismayed a large number of gaming enthusiasts as well as amateur and professional esports players, solidarity prevailed in the country against the ban. KRAFTON’s decision to give it a makeover for Indian consumers came as a welcoming decision; the new publisher, however, is yet to be disclosed.

Applauding KRAFTON’s strategy for India specific market Lokesh Suji, Director, Esports Federation of India & Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF) says, "It's good to see that KRAFTON has considered the Indian requirements and has modified the game and this will surely fuel the Indian esports ecosystem. KRAFTON has been already taking positive initiatives in the Indian market in the last few months which is very heartening to see and also highlights the capability of the esports ecosystem in India.”

With privacy and security being the priority, the gaming company will be working with partners to ensure data protection and security, at each stage. This will ensure the privacy rights of the Indian players are respected, and all data collection and storage will be in full compliance will all applicable laws and regulations in India for players.

Ultimate Battle’s founder, Tarun Gupta finds KRAFTON to be extremely active in the Indian market recently and the launch has been the highly anticipated one. “KRAFTON has been very active in the Indian market recently which was an indication that the PUBG Mobile variant may soon see the daylight in India.” Gupta shares his excitement and says that they will be adding Battlegrounds India on the platform as soon as it launches. "We forecast to see the downloads cross the 1m+ mark in the first week of the launch."

PUBG’s Return Anticipates Industry Growth

KRAFTON’s recent investments in India to develop the esports landscape have substantiated the rising growth of esports in India. A series of announcement by KRAFTON of setting up a subsidiary in India, picking up a 15 percent stakes in Nazara Technologies-backed Nodwin Gaming for INR 164 Cr, and plans of collaborating with partners to build an esports ecosystem – by bringing in-game content and India specific in-game events, make a growth trajectory for India’s esports landscape.

Akhsat Rathee, Co-Founder and MD of NODWIN Gaming is also thrilled with the news. "The announcement of Battlegrounds Mobile India has got everyone super excited. The gaming community has waited long to hear from KRAFTON and is eager to get their hands on it. Looking forward to the future."

The game will be a huge step towards the successful future of esports in India, observes Shivam Rao, Co-Founder & COO, Trinity Gaming. "We are super elated and excited as the countdown for the launch of Battlegrounds Mobile India has officially begun.” He also believes that this time, it is not just a game but an opportunity for the whole gaming community to grow and increase their brand value in the industry. 

The game before launching will have a period of pre-registration before the launch. Besides, the launch date is yet to be disclosed.