PUBG Corp releases official statement on arrests in India

Yesterday, the police of the Indian state of Gujarat made news by upholding the state’s ban on PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and arrested 10 college students for playing the mobile version of the game. Since then, six more students have been arrested for playing PUBG, and PUBG Corporation has issued a statement to the media today, condemning the arrests.

“PUBG Mobile is a game. It is meant merely for entertainment and should be enjoyed in a healthy and responsible manner,” said the company. “...to PUBG Mobile players, we want to assure you that we are on your side and we will try our best to find a reasonable solution.”

Although Gujarat is currently the only Indian state to actively ban PUBG, these arrests are only the latest example of anti-video game bias in Indian culture. Rohan Khaunte, the Information Technology government minister in the state of Goa, described PUBG as “a demon in every house” last month. After Tencent instituted parental control functions in PUBG in some Chinese cities earlier this month, many Indian parents clamored for the introduction of a similar function in their version of the game.

However, numerous commentators from India and beyond have taken to social media to criticize an action that they perceive as unnecessary and out-of-touch.

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While the PUBG ban might be popular with some Indian parents, it appears the country’s younger generation is not amused.