It was just a year ago when Krafton released the popular battle royale game Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI). At its launch, the game was a boon for all those players who were massively hit by the PUBG ban in India. BGMI has almost 90 per cent of the same gaming style and appearance as PUBG, including maps, ranking systems, graphics, and more.
BGMI quickly gained a massive user base, recording millions of views in just one week. Despite its success, BGMI was suddenly banned in India and removed from the Play Store and App Store. Some players experienced this firsthand, while others were left wondering why. Below, I’ll help you understand the reason behind the BGMI ban.
Why is BGMI banned in India?
BGMI has generated considerable hype in the battle royale industry since its launch. The game took the place of PUBG, and Indian players are dedicated to knowing why BGMI was quietly banned. Surprisingly, BGMI faced the same fate as PUBG. The Indian government banned BGMI under Sec. 69A of the Indian IT law to protect the country’s privacy and security. Although the exact reason wasn’t disclosed, Krafton stated they are in discussions with the government to resolve the issue soon.
What Would Be the Effect of the BGMI Ban on the Esports Industry?
BGMI, a revamped version of PUBG Mobile, was developed to offer a battle royale experience post-PUBG ban. As a popular battle royale, BGMI has a vast influence on the esports industry. Now that the game is banned, all BGMI YouTubers will no longer stream, and different stakeholders and businesses dependent on BGMI content will be affected. Scheduled BGMI tournaments may see wasted investments, creating a worse condition for the battle royale scene. Overall, investors might shy away from investing in such games after this incident.
Moreover, various BGMI activists could lose their jobs. This ban will also affect other eSports because other games often develop strategies based on BGMI. Without BGMI, the battle royale genre may see misleading results. Collectively, the BGMI ban could lead to a decline in the user base, decreased competition, and a shake-up in the eSports industry, especially for Indian players who heavily rely on BGMI and its related content.
What could be the best alternative games after the BGMI ban?
In India, many battle royale games can step in for BGMI. However, no game can fully replace the emotions connected with BGMI. But we can’t stop playing just because of this. So, here are some of the best battle royale games you must try:
Call of Duty Mobile
Call of Duty Mobile is a part of the CoD franchise that has earned massive popularity since its PC launch. Activision launched the same game on mobile to compete with battle royales like BGMI. CoD Mobile offers both multiplayer and battle royale modes and is available on Android and iOS. It’s one of the best alternatives and has never faced any ban requests, making it a stable option in the eSports industry.
Apex Legends Mobile
Apex Legends Mobile, like CoD Mobile, extends its PC-based game to mobile. It offers high-quality graphics and team-based gameplay with unique abilities. Launched in May 2022, it has already garnered over 26 million downloads and more than $20 million in revenue. Apex Legends Mobile is highly recommended for those looking for an alternative to BGMI.
Free fire MAX
Free Fire MAX is another excellent BGMI alternative, with a file size of just 500 MB. It is known for its character abilities, load-outs, and weapon skins. Although the original Free Fire version was banned due to security concerns, Garena launched Free Fire MAX to continue the gaming flow in India. It’s a decent battle royale game that runs well even on low-end devices.
In conclusion, BGMI was banned, likely due to security concerns. While we await updates from the Indian government, you can try these alternatives. If you have questions or need more information, feel free to ask in the comment section below.