PUBG Mobile To Be Back Soon? After India Ban, Game Developer Cancels Indian Franchisee Deal With Chinese Firm Tencent

PUBG Corporation, the owner and developer of popular multiplayer game PUBG MOBILE, on Tuesday (8 September) decided to no longer authorise the game's franchise to Chinese tech firm Tencent in India and said that it was working with the Indian government to find a solution to the recent ban on the app in the country.

The government had on 2 September banned the PUBG MOBILE and its lite version along with 117 other Chinese apps in India following ongoing tensions with China at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh.

The game maker in a statement on Tuesday said that it is actively monitoring the situation around the recent bans of PUBG MOBILE Nordic Map: Livik and PUBG MOBILE Lite in India.

PUBG Corporation added that it has seen an overwhelming amount of support for the game from the country’s player base and would like to thank the community for their passion and enthusiasm.

"PUBG Corporation fully understands and respects the measures taken by the government as the privacy and security of player data is a top priority for the company. It hopes to work hand-in-hand with the Indian government to find a solution that will allow gamers to once again drop into the battlegrounds while being fully compliant with Indian laws and regulations," the game maker said.

The company further said that it will no longer authorise the PUBG Mobile franchise to Tencent Games in India and this might help it to be back online for everyone.

"In light of recent developments, PUBG Corporation has made the decision to no longer authorize the PUBG MOBILE franchise to Tencent Games in India. Moving forward, PUBG Corporation will take on all publishing responsibilities within the country. As the company explores ways to provide its own PUBG experience for India in the near future, it is committed to doing so by sustaining a localized and healthy gameplay environment for its fans," it said.

PUBG MOBILE is the mobile version of PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS (PUBG), an intellectual property owned and developed by PUBG Corporation, a South Korean gaming company.

The company added that it is committed to providing its unique battle royale experience to a global audience and hopes to continue engaging with its passionate player base in India.