BGMI Re-Launch: Battlegrounds Mobile India Makes a Comeback
Introduction Krafton, the South Korean developer, has officially confirmed the highly anticipated return of Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) to the Indian market. The game was banned in the country last year due to security concerns. This announcement comes as great news for fans of the popular title and esports companies, who have eagerly awaited its comeback.
Krafton’s Statement
In a press statement, Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO of Krafton India, expressed gratitude to the Indian authorities for allowing the resumption of BGMI operations. He thanked the Indian gaming community for their support and patience during the past few months. Sohn eagerly announced that Battlegrounds Mobile India would soon be available for download, expressing excitement to welcome players back to the platform. He emphasized the power of gaming to bring people together and create unforgettable experiences.
Previous Success and Optimism
BGMI had previously amassed over 100 million players in India and had dominated the esports market in terms of revenue and viewership. The sudden ban left many companies uncertain about the future, as BGMI had been a major force in the gaming community. The ban reversal, although accompanied by strict conditions, has undoubtedly boosted optimism among esports companies.
Shiva Nandy, Founder, and CEO of Skyesports, welcomed the return of BGMI, expressing interest in integrating India’s favorite battle royale title into their esports IPs. Roby John, CEO and co-founder of SuperGaming highlighted the significant role PUBG/BGMI played in shaping the gaming space and expressed joy in its comeback, emphasizing that gaming should have no boundaries. Rohit Jagasia, Founder and CEO of Revenant Esports, stated that they had already begun preparing for the game’s comeback and anticipated its positive impact on the esports industry.
Anurag Khurana, CEO and founder of Penta Esports, believed that BGMI’s return would rejuvenate the Indian gaming and content creation communities. He acknowledged the massive traction BGMI had gained from the Indian gaming community and expressed its overall benefit for content creators, esports athletes, and others.
Availability and Conditions
The statement did not provide an exact release date for BGMI. The return is not a complete reversal; rather, it is a “3-month trial” approved after Krafton complied with server location and data security issues. During this trial period, authorities will closely monitor user harm and addiction concerns. Any violations of rules could result in another ban.
Speculations suggest that Krafton may have to fulfill certain conditions before proceeding with the BGMI re-launch. One potential condition is the imposition of a daily time limit on the game to address addiction, particularly among children. However, no official announcement has been made regarding this matter. This condition is similar to China’s three-hour time limit for PUBG Mobile, another popular game owned by Krafton. Additionally, authorities have requested Krafton to completely remove blood effects from BGMI, as the game previously featured green blood effects by default.