Waiting for PUBG relaunch in India? Read this first

PUBG Mobile may be the highest earning mobile game for the year 2020 having generated a revenue of over $2.6 billion (over Rs 19,137 crore), but India seems to be in no mood to allow the game to operate on Indian handsets any time soon.

PUBG developers have clarified that the PUBG Mobile India version will have in-game restrictions for daily gamers to promote healthy gaming environment and other features not promoting voilence. 
 

In other words, they said that steps have been taken to meet a child needs and restrictions.
 

However, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology remains unconvinced.

Nearly a fortnight ago, the Central Public Information Office responded to a RTI query regarding the return of PUBG Mobile in India with a one-liner that said, "MEITY has not given any permission for launch of PUBG."
 

Even the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights is not in favour of the return of PUBG Mobile. 
 

The child rights protection body has "strongly recommended" against it until appropriate legislations are in place for such online games.

India had banned PUBG Mobile and PUBG Mobile Lite apps in India back in September over security concerns. Nearly two months later after the ban, its developers PUBG Corporation announced its return after breaking ties with the China-based gaming firm Tencent. 
 

The company has also partnered with Microsoft to ensure the safety of its users' data.
 

Notably, PUBG Corporation has promised investments worth $100 million in the Indian market "to cultivate" the local video game, e-sports, entertainment, and IT industries.

Afganistan bans PUBG temporarily 

Aghanistan is the latest country to ban the popular game. Afghanistan Telecommunications Regulatory Authority ordered the temporary ban after complaints received from Transport and Telecommunications Commission of the lower house of the Parliament.
 

ATRA Chairman Omer Mansur Ansari stated: "Our team submitted a report on the issue to ATRA Board after carrying out a comprehensive analysis, and then a decision was taken to block this game on a temporary basis considering its social and security impact"

Ansari added that discussions are underway to find a permanent solution for the issue. He directed ATRA officials to prepare and finalize specific policies and procedures related to the regulation for the markets and the gaming industry in the country.
 

Ansari also directed the organization to detect all games that negatively affect children.