This Indian College Banned PUBG But Students Still Play The Game, And Yes Even On Campus Wi-Fi

Earlier this week, gamers enrolled in the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) in Tamil Nadu were in for a rude shock. Their college announced it was officially banning the popular PUBG Mobile game.

Their response to the dictatorial order? Meh.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that the mobile version of PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds is the hottest smartphone game to hit India since Pokemon Go. Everyone and their little cousin is playing the game, because it's both so approachable and so addictive. Also, unlike Pokemon Go, it doesn't require you move an inch.

Also Read: India Was Hooked On PUBG Mobile & Subway Surfer On Their Phone This Year, According To Google

However, colleges in India haven't always been known for being very tolerant of this strange fad called "fun". Indian students at least are used to bans on their music, their clothing choices, and more. Some bans make sense, of course.

Barring alcohol from college hostels is just good safety practice, and banning loud music makes absolute sense for those trying to sleep, study, or just get some peace and quiet. However, the boys and girls at VIT aren't too pleased the college administration is also taking heavy-handed action on their choice of entertainment.

It's still unclear what exactly triggered the ban. The notice mentions hostel students being disturbed by raucous PUBG players, "disturbing the atmosphere", and supposedly gambling. Either way, based on our chats with a few students who preferred to remain anonymous, looks like the PUBG ban has had little effect.

"It was a shock for everyone, but we don't expect much from VIT," said one third-year engineering student. Given that the students are adults, they are free and mature enough to know what's good or bad for them," said another. The general consensus among them seems to be mocking of the order. The students resent that VIT is trying to impinge on their personal freedom.

Indeed, as has been pointed out many times before, the best way to make something more appealing is to call it forbidden. That goes doubly when you have no way of enforcing your order. Administration might be able to carry out random checks in hostels for alcohol or recreational drugs, but how exactly are you going to "catch" anyone playing PUBG in their room?

All the students we spoke to agreed that the number of people playing PUBG hasn't decreased. In fact, the avid gamers on campus have taken the ban as a challenge, vowing to play the game even more to stick it to the man. "They play in class on 4G, and in the rooms on college WiFi only," another student said. "If you take something away, you just make people want it more."

In the case of VIT's blanket ban of PUBG Mobile game is just enticing students who would have otherwise never touched it to give it a try -- see what the fuss is all about. And as for those letting their gaming habits get in the way of their studies, well, they're eventually imposing their own punishment aren't they?