The Breakup: Why PUBG and Tencent Parted Ways
The story of PUBG (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds) and Tencent is a complex tale of global gaming dominance, geopolitical tensions, and strategic maneuvering. The simple answer to why PUBG ultimately distanced itself from Tencent, particularly in certain key markets like India, boils down to national security concerns and the need to regain access to banned markets. While Tencent played a crucial role in bringing PUBG Mobile to the world and building its massive success, the association with a Chinese company became a liability in regions where anti-China sentiment was rising, especially in the wake of border disputes and data privacy worries.
The Indian Ban: A Catalyst for Change
The most significant event triggering the separation was the Indian government’s ban of PUBG Mobile in September 2020. This ban, along with over 100 other Chinese apps, was enacted on the grounds of national security and concerns over data privacy. The Indian government cited that these apps were engaged in activities “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity, defence of India, security of the state and public order.”
This ban represented a huge blow to PUBG Corporation, as India was one of the largest and fastest-growing markets for PUBG Mobile. Recognizing the severity of the situation, PUBG Corporation acted swiftly to sever ties with Tencent in India. This move was a calculated attempt to alleviate the concerns of the Indian government and pave the way for the game’s eventual return.
Tencent’s Role: From Publisher to Problem
Initially, Tencent was instrumental in the success of PUBG Mobile. PUBG Corporation, a subsidiary of the South Korean company Krafton, partnered with Tencent to develop and publish the mobile version of the game. Tencent’s expertise in mobile game development and its extensive distribution network in Asia proved invaluable.
However, Tencent’s Chinese origins became a hindrance as geopolitical tensions escalated. The association with a Chinese company made PUBG Mobile vulnerable to bans and restrictions in countries wary of Chinese influence. PUBG Corporation realized that distancing itself from Tencent was necessary to safeguard its global business interests.
The Rebirth of PUBG Mobile India: BGMI
To address the Indian government’s concerns, Krafton took a multi-pronged approach. First, as mentioned earlier, PUBG Corporation severed its publishing agreement with Tencent in India. Second, Krafton announced plans to launch a new version of the game specifically designed for the Indian market. This new game, called Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), was tailored to comply with Indian regulations and address data privacy concerns.
BGMI included several features designed to reassure Indian authorities and users. These included:
- Local Data Storage: Data was stored on servers located in India.
- Enhanced Privacy Measures: Strict data security protocols were implemented.
- Localization: The game featured content that was relevant to Indian culture and sensibilities.
While BGMI also faced a ban at one point, these efforts allowed Krafton to eventually relaunch a tailored version of PUBG to the Indian market.
More Than Just India: A Global Strategy
The decision to move away from Tencent wasn’t solely driven by the situation in India. It reflected a broader strategic shift by Krafton to gain greater control over its intellectual property and reduce its reliance on a single publisher. By self-publishing PUBG in more regions, Krafton aimed to increase its revenue share and have more direct control over the game’s development and marketing.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into the PUBG-Tencent Split
1. Is PUBG owned by Tencent?
No. PUBG is developed and managed by PUBG Corporation, a subsidiary of the South Korean gaming company Krafton. While Tencent was involved in the development and publishing of PUBG Mobile, it never owned the underlying intellectual property.
2. Does Tencent still have any stake in PUBG?
Tencent holds a minority stake in Krafton, the parent company of PUBG Corporation. This stake, reported to be around 11.5%, means that Tencent still benefits from the success of PUBG, but it does not have direct control over the game’s development or publishing.
3. Why was PUBG banned in China?
The original PUBG Mobile was banned in China due to the country’s strict regulatory laws and concerns over its content. There are reports the game did not meet with the values of Chinese patriotism.
4. Was Tencent Gaming Buddy banned in India?
The legality of Tencent Gaming Buddy in India is complex. While the emulator itself wasn’t explicitly banned, access to games published by Tencent (like PUBG Mobile before its removal) was restricted.
5. Did PUBG break its partnership with Tencent willingly?
While the split might appear amicable, the Indian ban forced PUBG Corporation’s hand. The company needed to distance itself from Tencent to regain access to a crucial market.
6. What is BGMI?
BGMI stands for Battlegrounds Mobile India. It is a localized version of PUBG Mobile specifically designed for the Indian market. It incorporates features to address Indian data privacy and security concerns.
7. Is BGMI the same as PUBG Mobile?
BGMI is essentially a rebranded and modified version of PUBG Mobile. While the core gameplay remains the same, BGMI includes localized content, data storage in India, and enhanced privacy measures.
8. Why do so many Chinese people play PUBG?
PUBG’s popularity in China stems from its engaging gameplay, competitive nature, and the fact that, despite some restrictions, access to the game through various channels has been possible. Chinese gamers are often drawn to Player versus Player (PvP) and competition.
9. What are some of the controversies surrounding Tencent?
Tencent has faced criticism for alleged anticompetitive practices, human rights violations, and its close ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
10. How much money does PUBG make?
PUBG Mobile continues to be a massive revenue generator. It generates millions of dollars per day.
11. Who owns PUBG now?
PUBG is owned by PUBG Corporation, which is a subsidiary of the South Korean company Krafton.
12. What is Tencent’s NFT platform situation?
Tencent shut down its NFT (Non-Fungible Token) platform due to dwindling sales and China’s regressive monetary policies.
13. Why did China suspend Tencent?
Tencent was told to stop releasing new apps and updates due to regulatory violations.
14. What impact did Google’s ban in China have on Tencent?
Google’s ban in China might have indirectly benefited Tencent by reducing competition in the search and internet services market.
15. Where can I learn more about the social impacts of gaming?
For further exploration into the world of gaming, you can explore the fascinating insights offered by the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Learning about how the dynamics of game culture and technology impacts the learning processes is important in understanding the future of games. You may also visit GamesLearningSociety.org.
The Future of PUBG: Independent and Global
The separation of PUBG from Tencent represents a significant chapter in the game’s history. By taking greater control over its destiny, Krafton aims to solidify PUBG’s position as a leading global gaming franchise. The future likely holds more localized versions, innovative gameplay features, and a continued focus on addressing the concerns of governments and players worldwide. By strategically distancing itself from the entanglements that come with Chinese company affiliations, PUBG positions itself for sustained success in an increasingly complex and competitive global market.