Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) is one of the most popular mobile games in the country, with millions of fans and players. However, the game was not always available for Indian gamers. In fact, BGMI was banned by the Indian government in September 2022, along with hundreds of other apps that were deemed to pose a threat to national security and sovereignty.
The ban came as a huge shock and disappointment for the BGMI community, which had grown rapidly since the game’s launch in July 2021. BGMI was the Indian version of PUBG Mobile, a global phenomenon that had revolutionized the mobile gaming industry. BGMI had also become a major force in the Indian esports scene, attracting millions of viewers and generating huge revenues for players, teams, and organizers.
The ban was imposed due to the alleged links between PUBG Mobile’s developer Tencent and the Chinese government, which had been involved in a border dispute with India. The Indian government accused Tencent of collecting and sharing user data with Chinese authorities, violating user privacy and data protection laws. Tencent denied these allegations and tried to comply with the Indian regulations, but to no avail.
The ban left a huge void in the Indian mobile gaming market, which was filled by various alternatives and competitors. However, none of them could match the popularity and quality of BGMI, which had a loyal fan base that eagerly awaited its return. Meanwhile, Krafton, the South Korean company that owned the intellectual property rights of PUBG Mobile, decided to take matters into its own hands and bring back BGMI to India.
Krafton severed its ties with Tencent and took over the development and publishing of BGMI exclusively for India. Krafton also made several changes to the game to suit the Indian sensibilities and regulations, such as changing the name, logo, color scheme, blood effects, privacy policy, etc. Krafton also invested heavily in the Indian gaming ecosystem, partnering with local developers, influencers, streamers, and esports organizations.
After months of negotiations and preparations, Krafton finally announced the comeback of BGMI in India in May 2023. The game was released on Android devices on June 1st and on iOS devices on June 15th. The game received an overwhelming response from the Indian gamers, who downloaded it in huge numbers and gave it positive reviews. The game also resumed its esports activities, hosting several tournaments and events for both casual and professional players.
BGMI’s comeback in India is a remarkable story of resilience and innovation. The game has overcome several challenges and obstacles to reclaim its throne as the king of mobile gaming in India. BGMI has also proven its potential as a cultural phenomenon that transcends gaming and connects millions of people across the country.