Update: It looks like BGMI launch is near as the game’s listing is live on the Google Play Store. However, only a few users are able to see the listing. Even if they can download, they cannot play BGMI as the servers are yet to go live in India.
Original Story Follows…
BGMI comeback in India has been officially confirmed. The battle royale, which was banned last year in India, is now confirmed to be available soon. Krafton has confirmed that BGMI is set to mark its return to the Indian market after government authorities have allowed the company to resume the popular battle royale operations. Krafton India CEO Sean Hyunil Sohn confirmed the news and thanked the Indian authorities and the gaming community for their support.
“We would like to extend our gratitude to our Indian gaming community for their support and patience over the past few months. We are excited to announce that Battlegrounds Mobile India will be available for download soon, and we cannot wait to welcome you back to our platform,” Sohn said.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Union Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, Skill Development, Electronics & Technology, has tweeted and confirmed that the game will be closely watched for 3 months before a final decision on permanently lifting the ban or permanent ban will be taken by the Indian authorities.
This is a 3 month trial approval of #BGMI aftr it has complied wth issues of server locations n data security etc.
We will keep a close watch on other issues of User harm, Addiction etc in next 3 months before a final decision is taken @GoI_MeitY @PMOIndia https://t.co/9SrYekrHXz
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@Rajeev_GoI) May 19, 2023
The Krafton India CEO said that the company is committed to delivering exceptional products and services to users in India and beyond. In addition to this, Krafton is said to be 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,” Sohn further added.
BGMI Servers Getting Upgrade
Soon after BGMI announced its comeback and confirmed that gaming enthusiasts could download the game soon, BGMI servers are now being upgraded. Players accessing the game are now getting a prompt from Krafton regarding servers.
It reads, “Hello BGMI Fan! BGMI servers will be unavailable for a while to come up with a better and bigger experience. While we are working to give you a seamless experience, your account will be safe, and your progress till now will be retained. We will keep you informed of further developments and the release date through our social media platforms.” The server upgrade seems imminent as Krafton may be expecting many players to download and play the game as soon as BGMI is available to download.
Krafton will collaborate with local developers and promote the use of cutting-edge technologies. In addition to this, the company also recognises the “importance of providing skilling and employment opportunities for Indian talent, which can help them nurture their skillset and thrive in the industry.”
BGMI getting a temporary unban in India for 90 days or 3 months is confirmed. During the three months, Indian authorities will closely scrutinise the app and the gaming experience. Krafton reportedly agreed to abide by the rules set by local authorise, which adhere to the privacy and security laws of the country. Any failure will result in BGMI getting banned again.
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Vibhor Kukreti, Head of Government Affairs, Krafton India, said that the company, by the law and has put in place several measures to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. In a statement, Kukreti said that the company strongly encourage its users to prioritise their well-being and follow responsible gaming practices. “We are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for our players and believe that by promoting responsible gaming, we can contribute to a healthier gaming culture, where players can enjoy themselves while still taking care of their overall well-being,” Kukreti said.
Krafton is said to make some in-game changes before resuming services in India. For starters, there will be an in-game timer, which will inform a player about their gaming sessions. In addition, the game is likely not to show blood or change the colour from red to something else by default. Previously, the colour of blood within the game was red, and users had the option to change it to green or blue.
Krafton is expected to announce the India release date of BGMI soon.
