BGMI Banned: Impact of BGMI ban on eSports in India

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BGMI players woke up to the harsh reality that the game is no longer available to download on both Android and iOS. Almost two years after its sibling PUBG Mobile was banned in India, we are witnessing something similar happen again. The game has vanished from both Google Play Store and Apple App Store and the govt hasn’t come out with a formal explanation for this. Reportedly, it has been banned under the same laws as PUBG Mobile in 2020. Also Read — BGMI ban confirmed: Check alternatives on Google Play Store and Apple App Store

The battle royale game format is an important part of the Indian eSports ecosystem with an almost unrivaled viewership. The absence of BGMI on Apple Apple Store and Google Play Store in India has surprised many stakeholders in the eSports world. Also Read — BGMI Ban: Reasons why Indian govt may have banned BGMI just one year after its launch

Here’s what they have to say about the govt’s decision to remove BGMI from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Also Read — Battlegrounds Mobile India removed from Google Play Store, Apple App Store following government order

Lokesh Suji, Director, Esports Federation of India & Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF) claims its still too early to comment on the situation without a clarification from the govt.

Suji said, “India is paving its path to becoming a multi-sport nation where every sport is getting the right visibility, audience and investment to grow. We have to reflect the same in Esports where we need to start giving exposure to multi Esports titles and not limited to one.”

He further emphasised on the need to have in-house Indian games for the eSports ecosystem to grow. He added, “With so much attention on every front including the