Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) is set to make a comeback soon in India. The South Korean publisher Krafton has confirmed that the Indian government has allowed them to resume operations of the battle-royale game, following its ban in July last year. The game was removed from both Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store under Section 69 of the IT Act due to privacy and security concerns. BGMI is the first app to return to India among the hundreds of apps the government banned within the past couple of years. The CEO of Krafton India, Sean Hyunil Sohn, expressed his gratitude to the Indian authorities for allowing them to resume operations and thanked the Indian gaming community for their support.
The Popularity of BGMI in India
BGMI is an India-exclusive version of the game that rekindled the e-sports ecosystem in the country with numerous official and unofficial events, including a broadcast on mainstream television. The tournament dubbed the ‘Masters Series,’ was telecast live on Star Sports 2 last year, with Global Esports lifting the trophy. In July 2021, the game surpassed 100 million users in India within a year of its launch.
Adjustments to BGMI
BGMI is expected to make a return with several adjustments, including a set time limit to restrict the number of hours one could play, alongside changes to the gore effects. Previously, players could change the colour of blood to blue or green via the in-game settings, but the change is expected to be permanent. News18 reports that BGMI will be back initially for three months only, a trial period during which the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) will monitor its activity and ensure it doesn’t violate any rules set by the Indian government.
Prioritising Responsible Gaming Practices
Vibhor Kukreti, Head Government Affairs, Krafton India, mentioned that Krafton is a responsible South Korean organization that abides by the law and has put in place several measures to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. Kukreti also encouraged the users to prioritize their well-being and follow responsible gaming practices.
Dead by Daylight Mobile, the co-op survival horror game from Behaviour Interactive, was also removed from Indian mobile storefronts in March by MeitY. The reason for the removal was not explicitly given, but it could be assumed that it had to do with the game’s publisher NetEase, a Chinese firm responsible for distributing the title within Southeast Asia, Japan, and Korea.
There are no set release details for BGMI, but it is expected to be available on Android and iOS, as before. The Indian gaming community awaits the return of the popular battle-royale game.
Leave a Reply