PUBG Ban Will Likely Not Be Lifted Even After Tencent Break Up: Report
PlayerUnknowns Battlegrounds PUBG was banned by the Indian government earlier this month. The reason for the ban was the Chinese link of the app cited as a data security concern among the escalating tensions between the two neighbouring countries. Following the ban the South korean gaming entity withdrew its publishing rights from Chinese partner Tencent. A new report now indicates that the change of ownership is unlikely to change things immedia...Read More
India¡¯s ban on PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) saw the South korean gaming entity withdraw its publishing rights from Chinese partner Tencent. A new report now indicates that the move just might not be enough for the Indian government to revoke the ban on the popular multiplayer game.
Earlier this month, PUBG formed a part of 118 Chinese-origin mobile applications banned by New Delhi. The reason for the ban was the Chinese link of the app, cited as a data security concern among the escalating tensions between the two neighbouring countries.
Following the ban PUBG Corp announced an alienation from Tencent Games in hopes to get its operations in India resumed. Several reports of the gaming giant exploring possible partnerships with local service providers also emerged, with Jio being one of the frontrunners in the race.
(Representative Image: Reuters)
A new source cited in a Reuters report now indicates that the change of ownership is unlikely to change things immediately. "The violent nature of the game has been the cause of many complaints from all quarters," the source was quoted as saying in the report. As can be understood, "that [issue] does not change with the change in ownership rights."
PUBG Corp, on the other hand, is ready to oblige to any and every concern cited by the Indian government to get back to its largest user base across the world. A spokeswoman for the company cleared that it was ¡°closely reviewing India's concerns and that it was ready to work on anything that needed improvement,¡± the report mentions.
Possible partnership
(Representative Image: Reuters)
Several reports have emerged, indicating a possible partnership between PUBG Corp and Jio for distributing the game in India on the latter¡¯s platforms. In a confirmation to Reuters, the spokeswoman for PUBG Corp said, "We had initial talks with Jio Platforms to seek for cooperation opportunities, but nothing has been decided yet."
Reliance is yet to comment on the same.
The ban on the popular multiplayer game is expected to hold for now. As and when PUBG Corp is able to form a deal with an Indian distributor, the company has a fighting chance of resuming its operations in the country. Till then, it is unlikely that the game will be back in the Indian gaming scenario anytime soon.
