Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), the popular battle royale game that was banned in India last year, is all set to make a comeback soon. The game developer Krafton has announced that it has received permission from the Indian authorities to resume operations of BGMI in the country. The game will be available for download on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store soon.
Why was BGMI banned?
BGMI was one of the 118 Chinese apps that were banned by the Indian government in August 2022, under Section 69 of the IT Act. The government cited security and privacy concerns as the reason for the ban, alleging that the apps were engaged in activities prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.
BGMI was a rebranded version of PUBG Mobile, which was developed by Tencent, a Chinese company. The game was accused of sending user data to servers located in China, violating the data protection norms. The ban affected millions of players and fans of BGMI in India, as well as the mobile esports scene in the country.
How did Krafton get permission to relaunch BGMI?
Krafton, a South Korean company that owns PUBG IP, severed ties with Tencent after the ban and took over the publishing rights of BGMI in India. The company also made several changes to the game to comply with the Indian regulations and address the concerns raised by the government.
Some of the changes include:
- Changing the name and logo of the game from PUBG Mobile India to Battlegrounds Mobile India
- Storing user data on servers located in India and Singapore
- Adding green blood effects instead of red to reduce violence
- Adding playtime restrictions and parental controls for underage players
- Adding a disclaimer that the game is set in a virtual world and does not represent real life
Krafton also said that it is a responsible organisation that abides by the law and has put in place several measures to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. The company said that it strongly encourages its users to prioritize their well-being and follow responsible gaming practices.
When will BGMI be available for download?
According to a report by News18, BGMI will be available for download soon, but only for a three-month trial period. The report said that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) will continue to monitor the game's activity and ensure that it does not violate any rules set by the Indian government. If any violations are found, the game may face another ban.
However, Krafton has not confirmed any specific date or time for the relaunch of BGMI. The company has only said that it is excited to announce that BGMI will be available for download soon and it cannot wait to welcome back its Indian gaming community.
How popular is BGMI in India?
BGMI is one of the most popular mobile games in India, with over 100 million players within a year of its launch in July 2021. The game also drove a majority of the revenues and viewership in the mobile esports market in India, with numerous official and unofficial tournaments and events.
The game's ban had a huge impact on the Indian gaming community, especially on streamers, content creators and professional players who relied on BGMI for their livelihood. Many of them switched to other games or platforms, while some waited patiently for BGMI's return.
The news of BGMI's relaunch has been welcomed by many fans and esports companies in India, who are looking forward to integrating India's favourite battle royale title into their IPs. Some of them include Skyesports, SuperGaming, Global Esports and more.
BGMI is set to bring back the thrill and excitement of online multiplayer gaming to millions of Indian gamers soon. The game promises to offer a diverse and immersive experience with different maps, modes and features. However, it also comes with some responsibilities and expectations from both Krafton and its users, who have to ensure that they play by the rules and respect each other's privacy and security.
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