UPDATE: BGMI has been unbanned in India since May 2023 – our BGMI section covers all about how to play BGMI and what is happening in the BGMI esports scene: InsideSport BGMI Section
Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) is a popular mobile battle royale game developed by Krafton. The game was first released in India in July 2021, but it was banned by the Indian government in September 2022 due to security concerns. The ban on BGMI was met with widespread criticism from gamers in India. Many people felt that the ban was unfair and that it would deprive them of a popular and enjoyable game.
In May 2023, the Indian Krafton announced that the Government of India lifting the ban on BGMI. BGMI was officially getting permission to operate in India on May 19, 2023. Krafton posted the update through the Instagram post,
“We would like to express our deep appreciation to the Indian authorities for permitting us to restart the operations of BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA (BGMI). KRAFTON, Inc., as a responsible South Korean company that abides by the law, has put in place several measures to ensure compliance with all Indian laws. We are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for our players, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that we maintain the highest possible standards.
At KRAFTON, Inc., we are deeply committed to the Indian gaming ecosystem. Our approach has always been India-first, which serves as the foundation of all our efforts. We believe in investing in the Indian gaming industry and contributing to building a vibrant ecosystem that fosters growth and innovation. To achieve our mission, we aim to augment technology developments in India by collaborating with local developers and promoting the use of cutting-edge technologies. We also recognize the importance of providing skilling and employment opportunities for Indian talent, which can help them nurture their skills and thrive in the industry.”
On 27th May 2023, Battlegrounds Mobile India had been available for pre-download on Google Play Store. The game servers of BGMI went live on 29th May 2023, where players returned to the battlegrounds again.
Here is a timeline of the events leading up to the ban and unban of BGMI:
- September 2020: PUBG Mobile was banned in India by the Indian government due to security concerns.
- July 2021: Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) was released in India.
- September 2022: BGMI is banned in India by the Indian government due to security concerns.
- May 19, 2023: Krafton announces that BGMI gets the permission to operate again in India.
- May 27, 2023: The game hits the Google Play Store where players can download it.
- May 29, 2023: BGMI is officially unbanned in India.
The ban and unban of BGMI have been a major event in the Indian gaming community. It has shown the power of gaming in India and the importance of security concerns to the government.
Impact of the Ban and Unban
The ban on BGMI had a significant impact on the Indian gaming community. Many gamers were forced to switch to other games, and the Indian gaming industry as a whole suffered.
The un-ban of BGMI has been a boon for the Indian gaming community. Gamers have welcomed the return of the game, and the Indian gaming industry is once again thriving.
The ban and unban of BGMI has also had a political impact. The government’s decision to ban the game was seen by some as a way to appease nationalist sentiment. However, the government’s decision to lift the ban was seen by others as a sign that the government is willing to listen to the concerns of gamers.
The ban and unban of BGMI is a complex issue with far-reaching implications. It is an issue that will continue to be debated for years to come.
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