PUBG to launch new, improved version of game tailored for Indian market

Hyderabad: PUBG Corporation, creator of PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) and a subsidiary of South Korea's Krafton Inc., on 12 November announced that it is preparing to launch PUBG Mobile India, a new game created specifically for the Indian market.

India's IT ministry, on 4 September, had banned PUBG in the country over threats to national security. Recently, Krafton had made a deal with Microsoft allowing PUBG to be hosted on Microsoft Azure. Tencent games, publisher and distributor of PUBG Mobile, had terminated all its operation and services. Tencent is a Chinese company which is why the Indian government had banned the game over security issues.

"With privacy and security of the Indian player data being a top priority, the company will conduct regular audits and verifications on the storage systems holding Indian users' personally identifiable information to reinforce security and ensure that their data is safely managed," said the company in a statement.

The parent company, Krafton Inc., plans to invest $100 million US dollars in India to cultivate the local video game, e-sports, entertainment, and IT industries.

PUBG Corporation announced plans to create an Indian subsidiary to enhance communication and services with the players. The Indian company will hire 100 employees specialised in business, e-sports, and game development. The company also said that it will look to actively collaborate and leverage local businesses to strengthen its gaming service.

The company also said that various aspects of the game will be customised for Indian gamers, such as the game now being set in virtual simulation training grounds, new characters automatically starting clothed, and green hit effects to reflect the virtual nature of the game. The game will include new features that will place restrictions on game time to promote healthy play habits among young players.