Battlegrounds: According to Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, BGMI is currently undergoing a three-month trial approval period, during which various other factors will be closely monitored before a final decision is made.
After nearly 10 months of being suspended from Google Play and Apple App Store due to a government order, Krafton’s popular battle royale game, Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), is set to make a remarkable comeback in India. This development marks a significant milestone as BGMI becomes the first app among the 300-odd banned by the government in recent years to successfully reenter the market.
On May 19, Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, took to Twitter to announce that Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) has been granted a three-month trial approval. In his tweet, he highlighted that the game has addressed concerns related to server locations, data security, and other relevant issues. This trial period will serve as an opportunity to assess BGMI’s compliance and overall performance before making a final decision.
In his statement, Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, emphasized the importance of closely monitoring additional factors such as user harm and addiction over the next three months. This careful observation will inform the final decision regarding the future of Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) in the country.
On May 19, Sean Hyunil Sohn, the CEO of Krafton Inc India, expressed deep gratitude to the Indian authorities for granting permission to resume the operations of Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI). In a statement, he extended his appreciation to the Indian gaming community for their unwavering support and patience throughout the past few months.
The app will soon be accessible for download on Android and iOS devices through their respective app stores.
Vibhor Kukreti, the head of government affairs at Krafton Inc. India, stated in a released statement, “Krafton is a responsible South Korean organization that diligently adheres to the law and has implemented numerous measures to ensure full compliance with all relevant regulations.”
“We strive tirelessly to ensure that India takes the lead in this realm by embracing innovative practices in collaboration with the gaming ecosystem, thereby supporting, sustaining, and promoting its growth,” Kukreti expressed.
I would like to sincerly thank all our gamers and friends to enable this! We will continue to fullfil our committment to India gaming industry. #BGMI #indiagaming pic.twitter.com/nKYSI39sZK
— SEAN Hyunil Sohn (@hisohn) May 19, 2023
Additionally, Kukreti urged players to prioritize their well-being and adopt responsible gaming practices.
This development is anticipated to bring significant relief to the South Korean gaming giant, which has made substantial investments of over $100 million in India’s startup ecosystem over the past few years. These investments include partnerships with various entities such as Nodwin Gaming (owned by Nazara), Nautilus Mobile (owned by JetSynthesys), Loco (a game streaming platform), Pratilipi (an Indian language storytelling platform), Kuku FM (an audio content platform), and One Impression (an influencer marketing platform).
BGMI India launch
In July 2021, Krafton launched Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) as a follow-up to the suspension of their flagship title, PUBG Mobile, in September 2020. Krafton emphasizes that BGMI is a distinct game specifically designed for the Indian market.
To address concerns and comply with regulations, Krafton severed its partnership with Tencent, the previous publishing partner, in September 2020. The company took over all publishing responsibilities within India and established a subsidiary in the country in November 2020. These measures were implemented to ensure greater control and adherence to local requirements.
“We have always prioritized India in our approach. Our belief lies in investing in the Indian gaming industry and contributing to the development of a thriving ecosystem that fosters growth and innovation,” stated Sohn. He further emphasized their commitment to collaborating with local developers, promoting cutting-edge technologies, and augmenting technological advancements within India.
Sohn added, “We also understand the significance of providing skilling and employment opportunities to Indian talent, enabling them to enhance their skills and flourish in the industry.”
In July 2022, Krafton announced that BGMI had exceeded 100 million users in India within a year of its launch. The game emerged as one of the top revenue-generating Android apps in the country until its suspension.
According to estimates from app intelligence firm Sensor Tower shared report, BGMI generated approximately $33 million in in-app spending from July 2021 to July 2022. However, industry executives suggest that this revenue figure is considerably conservative and estimate the app’s annual revenue to be around $100 million.
This revival of BGMI is expected to provide a significant boost to India’s rapidly growing esports industry, which was severely impacted by the game’s suspension last year.
In the past, Krafton partnered with Nodwin to broadcast an esports tournament on Disney Star’s sports channels, marking the first instance of such a tournament being televised on mainstream channels. The tournament reportedly attracted a staggering 24 million concurrent viewers and reached a total viewership of 200 million.
“Nodwin/Nazara and Krafton share a close partnership, and we are thrilled to witness the return of BGMI in India. I am confident that our teams will collaborate to deliver exceptional experiences for esports enthusiasts in our country,” expressed Nitish Mittersain, the founder of Nazara Technologies.
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