According to a report by IGN India, PUBG Mobile might never return to the country, not even in a censored form under PUBG Corporation.
The Indian Government back in September implemented a ban of PUBG Mobile under Section69A of Information Technology Act. Stating the reason the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said that the app is engaged in activities that are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity, defence and security of the country.
Since then PUBG Corporation revoked the Indian distribution rights for the game from Tencent Games. It setup an Indian subsidary, stating that the game would soon make a comeback with a new game named PUBG Mobile India. However, it now appears that the game might never make a comeback.
Recently, MEITY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology) all the necessary parties, including the PUBG Corporation, about the ban on the game. According to the report by IGN India, the game might never return to the country, not even in a censored form.
Citing sources familiar with situation of PUBG Mobile, the report stated that there are “no plans to unban” the game. “The authorities aren’t stupid, even if publishing duties have changed hands, the development of the game is still based in China,” and that the “entire excercise seems like lipstick on a pig”.
However another source cited in the report expressed optimism stating that the PUBG Corporation currently does not “have the right team in place just yet to talk to the Goverment”.
They are still hopeful that the discussion between the PUBG Corporation and the Indian Government may begin by March or April this year, with us seeing the growing trend of E-sports team participating in international tournaments by the second half of the year.
To recall, Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology in reply to two earlier RTI requests stated that it “does not grant permission for starting of any websites, mobile apps, or service.
It also said that the ban on PUBG Mobile has not been lifted and will not be removed until and unless all the issues raised by the Indian Government are addressed.
As of now, PUBG Mobile India stands in stasis and the Indian Government’s stance is not clear. Looking at this complex situation it is difficult to say whether the game will ever make a comeback or not.
The only thing that we can do as of now is to wait and hear about the developments either from the Indian Government or from PUBG Corporation.