PUBG: No longer GAME for it

Gurnaaz Kaur

MID the ongoing stand-off with China along the LAC, the government has banned as many as 118 new Chinese and Chinese-controlled apps. This includes the widely popular game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) by Tencent Mobile. It is the world’s most lucrative mobile app and has over 175 million installations in India, which is 24 per cent of the worldwide total! Those who were really addicted to the game have already started finding alternatives, but most gamers in the city aren’t too happy with the move.

Editorial Good riddance: PUBG ban welcome, but it’s only half the battle won

Not happy

Aakash Nagpal, a communication professional, says, “The ban on PUBG and other apps is to divert people’s attention from the shrinking GDP, unemployment and other important issues.” A regular player, he adds, “It’s all about how you play it; I used to play it for fun. In fact, it was very helpful to keep my mind away from the depressing coronavirus.”

Calling it a big stress-buster, Nikhil Sood, a businessman, says, “I think it is totally wrong to ban PUBG, as Tencent Mobile (Chinese company) only owns 10 per cent share in the South Korean company Bluehole.”

According to Manhar Arora, an IT professional, the game is so popular because, “You could play it solo, duo or in a squad of four. Plus there were so many upgrades in every season, which kept you hooked.”

Celebs in support

On the other hand, celebrities stand by the government’s decision. Model-actor and national level kho-kho player Amardeep Phogat believes, “To play it once in a while is okay, but to see kids on their phones all the time, playing violent games and not focusing on their health and studies, was sad. I am glad it happened at this stage and not at the time when the country would have had to suffer the greater impact of withdrawal symptoms.”

Actress Rupali Suri has an 18-year-old cousin who is a diehard PUBG fan. “I know a lot of youngsters are going to be sad because they were so much into this game. However, it is a wise decision.” Having once downloaded and played the game, actor Rushad Rana says, “I am not against the game, but it sure had a negative impact on the minds of youngsters.”