PUBG Mobile, the sleeper hit title that was banned in India two months ago over cybersecurity concerns, is plotting to make a return in the world\u2019s second largest internet market, two sources familiar with the matter told TechCrunch.
\nThe South Korean firm has engaged with global cloud service providers in recent weeks to store Indian users\u2019 data within the country to allay New Delhi\u2019s concerns about user data residency and security, one of the sources said.
\nThe gaming giant has privately informed some high-profile streamers in the country that it expects to resume the service in India before the end of this year, the other source said. Both the sources requested anonymity as they are not authorized to speak to the press. PUBG Corporation did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.<\/p>\n
The company could make an announcement about its future plans for India as soon as this week. It also plans to run a marketing campaign in the country during the festival of Diwali next week, one of the sources said.
\nIn recent weeks, PUBG has also engaged with a number of local firms, including SoftBank-backed Paytm and telecom giant Airtel, to explore whether they would be interested in publishing the popular mobile game in the country, an industry executive said. A Paytm spokesperson declined to comment.
\nChinese giant Tencent initially published PUBG Mobile apps in India. After New Delhi banned PUBG Mobile, the gaming firm cut publishing ties with Tencent in the country. Prior to the ban, PUBG Mobile\u2019s content was hosted on Tencent Cloud.
\nLate last month, two months after the ban order, PUBG Mobile terminated its service for Indian users. \u201cProtecting user data has always been a top priority and we have always complied with applicable data protection laws and regulations in India. All users\u2019 gameplay information is processed in a transparent manner as disclosed in our privacy policy,\u201d it said at the time.<\/p>\n
PUBG Mobile to terminate access for users in India on October 30 following ban order<\/p>\n
With more than 50 million monthly active users in India, PUBG Mobile was by far the most popular mobile game in the country before it was banned. It helped establish an entire ecosystem of esports organisations and even a cottage industry of streamers that made the most of its spectator sport-friendly gameplay, said Rishi Alwani, a long-time analyst of Indian gaming market and publisher of news outlet The Mako Reactor.
\nPUBG Mobile\u2019s return, however, could complicate matters for several industry players, including some that are currently building similar games to cash in on its absence and their conversations with venture capital firms over ongoing financing rounds.
\nIt would also suggest that more than 200 other Chinese apps that India has banned in recent months could hope to allay New Delhi\u2019s concerns by making some changes to where they store their users\u2019 data. (That was also the understanding between TikTok and Reliance when they engaged in investment opportunities earlier this year.)<\/p>\n
ByteDance in talks with India\u2019s Reliance for investment in TikTok<\/p>\n