Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), a South Korean shooting game, will “resume operations” in India in the coming days, its parent company Krafton said in a statement on Friday.
“We are excited to announce that BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA will be available for download soon and we cannot wait to welcome you back to our platform,” said Sean Hyunil Sohn, the CEO of Krafton Inc. India.
Sohn said that the company was “deeply committed” to the Indian gaming system and the gaming industry, adding that an ‘India-first’ approach was the foundation of the company’s efforts.
Battlegrounds Mobile India
© Photo : Battlegrounds Mobile India
“To achieve our mission, we aim to augment technology developments in India by collaborating with local developers and promoting the use of cutting-edge technologies. We also recognize the importance of providing skilling and employment opportunities for Indian talent, which can help them nurture their skillset and thrive in the industry,” the Korean executive stated.
Krafton India’s Head of Government Affairs, Vibhor Kukreti, underscored that the company was committed to the Indian law and had put in place compliance systems to be in line with local regulations.
“We strongly encourage our users to prioritize their well-being and follow responsible gaming practices. We are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for our players and believe that by promoting responsible gaming, we can contribute to a healthier gaming culture, where players can enjoy themselves while still taking care of their overall well-being,” Kukreti remarked.
Ban on BGMI
BGMI was launched in 2021, following which its publishing rights were taken over by Krafton. The shooting game was a successor to PUBG Mobile, which was a product of Chinese tech giant Tencent Technologies.
PUBG Mobile was one of the numerous Chinese apps banned by the Indian government on the grounds of “national security” after the start of the Ladakh border standoff between the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in April-May 2020.
BGMI took off in India in terms of popularity and Krafton announced millions of dollars in potential investments for further expansion. However, these plans suffered a setback last July after the Indian authorities announced a ban on the online game.
Subsequently, India’s Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) revealed in a Right to Information (RTI) reply that the South Korean game had been banned under relevant provisions of the Information and Technology (IT) Act.
It said that the Indian authorities have the power to “block information from public access” if it is in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign States, public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence,” as per the RTI reply.