PUBG opinion: Despite ban, PUBG fraternity plays Korean version – correct? E-sports in India stem from decades of coffee game culture, from the Zapak Gameplexes to block-wide gaming cafes that would host tournaments for less than Rs. 500. Having personally witnessed the growth of esports in India, from playing tournaments in college dormitories and cafes without spectators to playing for hundreds of spectators in a stadium. I continued to help organize tournaments and coach the next generation of players, guiding them towards their potential. In recent years, India has witnessed an affordable and faster internet connection combined with PvP games like PUBG Mobile, which has attracted widespread attention.
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I passionately believe that we have the raw talent and skill it requires to place India among the best esports countries in the world. This has always been and continues to be my drive through all of my experiences as a player, coach, analyst and journalist in esports.
As an expert, I can firmly say that the current PUBG Mobile scenario in India has put the entire esports industry at risk. PUBG Mobile is currently banned in India and yet it is being monetized by professional gamers in India, backed by some of the biggest esports organizations. This can, directly and indirectly, hamper the growth of esports in the long term.
Despite Ban, the PUBG fraternity plays the Korean version of the game, is that correct?
PUBG mobile influencers, pro gamers, and pro teams have replayed the game, broadcast it, and participated in competitive scrims, monetizing the game while it still remains banned.
These players are mainly playing with the perspective that they are not breaking the law because they are playing the KR version of PUBG Mobile, this seems to be an inexperienced misunderstanding of what the ban entails. The game was banned by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of the Government of India (“MEIT”), stating that it posed a threat to the security and sovereignty of India and surreptitiously transmitted unauthorized user data. This is still the same reason why the KR version of the game is not available on the Play Store and App Store.
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Numerous rosters have been recruited by organizations and have started playing scrims / tournaments for money last month. This monetization has put other esports organizations in a precarious situation, either to lose the players they want or to go against the ban and monetize the game.
A healthy esports ecosystem must involve the publisher with the tournament organizers, making them official. This is seen as key to increasing prizes, player salaries, and game audience. These short-term gains on the part of gamers and organizations will hamper the long-term development of esports in India. I can foresee the long-term damage this can cause to the industry, which is definitely best avoided.
The game that is banned is an opportunity for other games to grow, which has been lackluster due to the fact that PUBG Mobile has continued to monetize itself. It takes away from players and publishers
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That opportunity to explore and find a new game and audience, this is healthy as esports is not PUBG Mobile and PUBG Mobile is not the only esports.
This could also make it difficult for the game to return, when PUBG Corp. is trying to officially return, players should not take action that could backfire, making it difficult for the game to come back. I think that drawing attention to this issue is of utmost importance to the PUBG / esports community as a lot of money depends on this, it can make or break our journey towards being accepted as a real sport in the country.
My only intention is for esports in India to be successful. That is why I am taking this step to stop the damage done by these teams, players and tournament organizers. I am sending you a ‘Warning Letter’. Hoping that you will realize the potential harm that they could cause to esports in India and we urge you to abandon all content. If not, they will request the applicable sanctions for non-compliance with the directives of the Government of India under the Information Technology Act.
PUBG Mobile Korean Version User List
Streamers and Creators: Dynamo Gaming, 420 Gaming, Destro Plays, Kronten Gaming, Novaking, Antaryami Gaming, GtxPreet, GiLL, Toxic Mavi, Vexe Gaming, Encore Gaming Immortal Gamerz, Smokie
Tournament Organizers: Villager Esports Ultimate E, IGPL Esports, Upthurst Esports, Warmania, APL Esports, Modeling Cops
Participating organizations: TSM Entity, Orange Rock, Galaxy Racer, Brawlers, Team IND, Fnatic, Team X, Crawlers, Marcos Gaming, Team Tamilas, Umumba Esports, Team Mayhem, FutureStation
