Last Updated on: 20th January 2024, 07:13 pm
In a reminiscent journey through the corridors of Indian gaming history, we revisit the past decision by the Ministry of Home Affairs to ban 54 Chinese apps, including some of the most beloved gaming titles. This article delves into the details of the top 5 banned gaming apps that faced the banhammer in the past, exploring their past popularity, the impact of their removal, and reflecting on the reasons behind their ban.
Top 5 Banned Gaming Apps
5. Garena Free Fire: A Battle Royale Giant
Once a titan of mobile gaming, Garena Free Fire had conquered the hearts of millions with its battle royale elements. With over 1 billion downloads on the Play Store, its ban had sent shockwaves through the gaming community. We reflect on the void it left and the aftermath of its absence.
Garena Free Fire has had a complex history with bans in various regions, most notably in India. Here’s a summary of some old news related to its bans:
February 2022: Garena Free Fire, along with 53 other apps, was banned by the Indian government due to concerns over data security and user privacy. This was a major blow to the game’s massive Indian player base.
May 2022: Garena filed a lawsuit against the Indian government challenging the ban and claiming it was unconstitutional. However, the lawsuit did not result in the immediate unblocking of the game.
August 2022: Rumors surfaced about a possible unban of Garena Free Fire in India, fueled by social media posts and news outlets. However, these rumours were quickly debunked by Garena and no official update was given.
September 2022: Krafton, the developer of PUBG Mobile, won a copyright infringement lawsuit against Garena, alleging that Free Fire copied elements from their game. This further complicated the situation for Free Fire in India.
August 2023: Garena announced plans to relaunch Free Fire in India under a new identity and with revised rules to comply with government regulations. The exact name and features of the new version were not revealed at the time.
October 2023: The new version of Free Fire, still unnamed, was reportedly under testing in India. There was still no official release date announced.
November 2023: News leaked that the new version of Free Fire would be called “Free Fire Max: New Dawn.” However, Garena did not formally confirm this name.
4. Rise of Kingdoms: Lost Crusade – Building Empires
Rise of Kingdoms: Lost Crusade, a strategy-based online multiplayer game, had once allowed players to shape civilizations and conquer virtual worlds. Its ban, which affected over 50 million downloads, prompts us to revisit the strategic gaming era in India and how it has evolved since.
- Reason for the ban: The Indian government accused the apps of engaging in activities that could harm India’s national security and sovereignty.
- Impact on players: Indian players are no longer able to download or play Rise of Kingdoms on their mobile devices.
- Workarounds: Some players try to use VPNs to bypass the ban, but this is against the terms of service and can be risky.
- Unbanning possibilities: Currently, there is no official indication of a potential unbanning of Rise of Kingdoms or other apps in the list.
3. Conquer Online & Conquer Online II: MMORPG Adventures
NetDragon Websoft Inc’s action MMORPG games, Conquer Online and Conquer Online II, had offered epic adventures in a virtual realm. Their ban brings back memories of MMORPGs dominating the gaming scene and the subsequent void left in their absence.
Date of Ban: February 14, 2022
Reason for Ban: The Ministry of Home Affairs of India recommended the ban of 54 Chinese apps, including Conquer Online and Conquer Online II, citing data security concerns and potential threats to national security.
Current Status: Both games remain banned in India as of today, January 20, 2024.
Impact: The ban has significantly impacted Indian players of these popular MMORPGs. They are no longer able to download or access the games through official channels.
Alternatives: Some players have resorted to playing through unofficial channels with potential risks. Others have switched to alternative MMORPGs not included in the ban.
- The Indian government has not provided any concrete evidence to support the data security concerns.
- There have been attempts to challenge the ban in court, but no decision has been reached yet.
2. Stick Fight: The Game Mobile – Casual Combat
Stick Fight: The Game Mobile, known for its engaging and interactive casual fighting gameplay, faced the banhammer in the past. We reminisce about the impact of losing this popular stick game series on the casual gaming community.
- The reason for the ban was concerns about national security and user data sharing with Chinese entities.
- Stick Fight: The Game itself wasn’t explicitly mentioned in any official statements regarding the ban. However, it fell under the category of banned apps due to its Chinese origin.
- This ban affects users accessing the app from India through official app stores like Play Store and App Store.
- There might be alternative ways to get the app, but using banned apps can pose security risks and is not recommended.
1. Players Unknown Battle Ground (PUBG)
PUBG, which originally stood for PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, is a popular online multiplayer battle royale game developed by PUBG Studios and published by Krafton. It’s considered the game that popularized the battle royale genre, where up to 100 players parachute onto a large map and fight to be the last one standing.
- On September 2, 2020, the Indian government banned PUBG Mobile, citing concerns about national security and data privacy.
- The government alleged that these apps were “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity, defence of India, security of state and public order”. They expressed specific concerns about data being transmitted to servers outside India, potentially falling into the hands of hostile elements.
- This decision came amidst tensions between India and China following a border clash in June 2020.
- The ban sent shockwaves through the Indian gaming community, as PUBG Mobile had over 50 million users in the country.
- On July 28, 2022, BGMI was banned in India along with several other apps due to security concerns.
- In May 2023, the ban was lifted provisionally for 90 days, with certain restrictions including limited playtime for adults and minors.
- The 90-day period ended in August 2023, and the government is yet to make a final decision on whether to permanently lift the ban or re-impose it.
Therefore, while BGMI is technically playable in India right now, its future remains uncertain. It’s important to understand that:
- The 90-day trial period meant it wasn’t a full lifting of the ban, but rather a chance for the government to assess the game’s compliance with regulations.
- Krafton, the developer, is likely working towards meeting any outstanding concerns to secure a permanent lifting of the ban.
- There is still a possibility that the ban could be re-imposed if the government isn’t satisfied with Krafton’s efforts.
In conclusion, while BGMI is currently playable in India, it’s crucial to understand the complex and temporary nature of this situation. Stay informed about any new developments from the government or Krafton regarding the game’s future in India.
Reference : hindustantimes
Conclusion:
As we traverse the annals of past decisions and gaming nostalgia, the ban on these top 10 gaming apps in India echoes the concerns of a bygone era. The impact on the gaming community, once profound, has shaped the present gaming landscape. Reflecting on the regulatory evolution, player sentiments, and the subsequent void filled by new titles, we unravel the tale of these banned gaming legends.
