Bans on Chinese Apps and Battle Royale Games

India banned PUBG and many Chinese apps in 2020 for security reasons, and later BGMI and Free Fire faced restrictions, showing how policy can reshape the market.

Government rules can remove hit games overnight.

2020 ban

India banned many Chinese apps including PUBG Mobile amid border tensions and data concerns.

BGMI

Krafton launched BGMI in India, which was blocked in 2022 and then returned in 2023 under conditions.

Free Fire

Garena’s Free Fire was also blocked in 2022.

Effect

Domestic developers and other publishers gained space.

A sudden removal

Millions of players lost access to a favourite game overnight.

Assuming popular apps cannot be banned

Regulation can override popularity.

Key takeaways

PUBG was banned in 2020.
BGMI returned in 2023.
Free Fire was blocked in 2022.
Bans shift the market.