According to a report, PUBG’s parent company PUBG Corp is looking to partner with an Indian gaming company that will take over the distribution rights.
HIGHLIGHT
- PUBG’s parent company PUBG Corp is seeking to partner with an Indian gaming company, according to a report.
- PUBG severed ties with Chinese company Tencent after the PUBG Mobile ban in India.
- If an agreement materializes, PUBG Corp will have publishing rights for PUBG Mobile.
PUBG’s parent company, PUBG Corp, is seeking to partner with an Indian gaming company shortly after it regained control of Chinese company Tencent. PUBG Corp announced its decision to no longer authorize the PUBG Mobile franchise to Tencent Games in India after the mobile app was banned along with 117 other Chinese apps.
Sources familiar with the matter told Mint that a new license agreement with an Indian gaming company is in the works to transfer the rights to run the PUBG Mobile game in India. This means PUBG Corp will retain the publishing rights to the game, while distribution will be handled by an Indian partner.
PUBG stated the development: “In light of recent developments, PUBG Corporation has made the decision to no longer authorize the PUBG MOBILE franchise to Tencent Games in India. In the future, PUBG Corporation will assume all publishing responsibilities within the country. The company is exploring ways to bring its own PUBG experience to India in the near future, and is committed to doing so by maintaining a localized and healthy gaming environment for its fans. “
PUBG Corp is a unit of South Korea’s Bluehole Games. However, it is uncertain whether a possible deal will lead to the removal of the PUBG Mobile ban in India. There are also rumors that Reliance Jio will take over the distribution rights for PUBG Mobile, but there is no confirmation on that. According to the report cited by government sources, ownership of the game is just one concern. There are other issues such as data privacy security and activity within the phone that need to be addressed.
The government has sent more than 70 queries to PUBG after the ban, which must be answered within three weeks.
Last week, the government banned PUBG Mobile along with 117 other Chinese apps because “they are involved in activities that are detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India, the defense of India, state security and public order.” Other Chinese apps that were banned include Apus Launcher Pro, AppLock, WeChat Work, Baidu, Pitu, LifeAfter, among others. The multiplayer Battle Royale game was also removed from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store following the ban.
