PUBG ban does not go down well with gaming community

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 4

PUBG, a popular multiplayer online game, has been banned in the country along with 117 other Chinese apps. The second wave of web-based applications ban by the Ministry of Information and Technology, PUBG that has millions of active users in India has become one of the biggest causalities of the escalating tensions between India and China.

While the gaming community is unhappy about the decision that might have direct implications on professional gamers’ careers, there is a segment of players that has already found alternatives for their gaming appetites. “It is disappointing that the game has been banned, but one can still access it through a PC. I feel that the game was like a social media platform where we could connect with others and engage in communication. Then there was the thrill of engaging in battles, different levels of the game. Nonetheless, we do have a few alternative games that would provide for a replacement,” said Yajur Kapoor (18) who is a pro-gamer.

Another gamer, Supreet Wadhawa, says, “I do not think that this game will be banned for long as it generates good revenue from India. Surely, the promoters of the game would look for options to sustain their presence. PUBG doesn’t have any Chinese connection as its parent company is USA based.” Meanwhile, a list of variants such as Call of Duty and Free Fire has suddenly found new takers.

Apart from parents, who definitely must have found some relief with the ban, not many are pleased with the move. “Banning apps is just a smokescreen so people do not ask the real questions. If the government actually wants to take a firm stance against China, the import duties on products should be increased exponentially so that people automatically switch to other products and leave a dent in the Chinese export revenue. For everyone celebrating the ban on PUBG, it is not the game to blame, it is the simple fact that parents shy away from responsibilities and have found an easy out by handing their kids a smartphone. They will instantly replace this habit with a more toxic one without you knowing it. The same goes for games like Candy Crush or apps such as Instagram, that eat away your time without raising any alarms. The solution is moderation and helping kids realise the potential of technology rather than just handing over extremely powerful devices that allow them to access any piece of information out there,” says Chandan Nagi, a branding and marketing professional and avid gamer.

Even experts say that post ban, parents need to be more watchful of their kids’ activities. “Gaming, just like gambling, is a behavioural addiction. It encourages impulsive and compulsive behaviour and now that most of the kids, who were addicted to PUBG, will not be able to access it, will succumb to negative emotions. The sudden stop in their need-based habit can have repercussions and parents need to observe them with care and sensitivity,” says Dr JPS Bhatia, neuro-psychiatrist, who runs Punjab’s first Internet de-addiction centre in city.