Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) has made its comeback to the Indian gaming scene, much to the delight of millions of eager players.
After enduring a 10-month ban, Reuters reports that this mobile game developed by South Korean company Krafton has been granted approval by the Indian government for a trial relaunch.
The news has sparked relief and excitement among Indian gamers, signaling the game's long-awaited return.
Why Was the Game Banned?
The ban on BGMI, Krafton's flagship game, was implemented in July 2022 by the Indian government due to concerns over data-sharing and mining practices associated with Chinese companies.
Sources at the time also said provisions of Section 69A of the Information Technology Act boosted it. Check out this explainer (for a similar case with Twitter) from The Hindu for a more comprehensive explanation of the law.
Krafton, with its backing from China's Tencent, faced significant challenges in lifting the ban, given the prevailing tensions between India and China.
However, through diplomatic efforts involving meetings between South Korea's foreign affairs and culture ministries and their Indian counterparts, the ban was eventually lifted.
Krafton successfully addressed the government's concerns regarding server locations and data security, leading to the trial approval of BGMI.
Trial Period Begins
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Indian deputy minister for Information Technology, confirmed this positive development in a tweet.
During the trial period, the government will closely monitor the game, paying attention to potential issues such as user harm and addiction, before reaching a final decision on its fate.
The ban on BGMI's predecessor, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), was part of a broader restriction imposed on more than 300 Chinese apps, including TikTok, following the 2020 clash between India and China.
Additionally, the Indian government has heightened scrutiny of Chinese firms' investments in Indian companies.
Nevertheless, industry analysts believe that Krafton's local operations and employment of Indian workers will help mitigate the impact of political tensions on the company.
Game's Removal Left Gamers in the Dark
At the time of its removal from the Google Play Store and Apple's App Store, TechCrunch tells us that BGMI had amassed an impressive user base of over 100 million in India.
The lifting of the ban not only brings joy to gamers but also signifies a positive development for the esports industry in India.
According to Indian gaming personalities, the ban adversely affected the lives and livelihoods of gamers and esports professionals who relied on the game for their careers. The gaming community hopes that this decision will pave the way for the growth and advancement of the industry within the country.
What's Next?
As the trial period gets underway, all eyes will be on BGMI to gauge its performance and whether it can effectively address any lingering concerns raised by the Indian government.
The outcome of this trial period will determine whether BGMI makes a permanent comeback or if further adjustments are necessary to ensure compliance with Indian regulations and safeguard user interests.
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