Tencent no longer offers PUBG Mobile in China due to lack of government approval to monetize the game. Players can instead download the similar and patriotic game Game for Peace, which allows Tencent to earn money.
The website Technode, among others, describes that users in China who logged in to PUBG Mobile on Tuesday evening were shown a notification stating that maintenance is being performed and that an update is required. Hours later, that message turned into an open beta announcement for Game for Peace, a PUBG-like game that did receive monetization approval from the Chinese government in April. This was followed by a thank you letter from the team behind PUBG Mobile, announcing the end of the game and designating Game for Peace as beta. Technode has asked internet giant Tencent for a response, but the website received no comment.
It is likely that PUBG Mobile’s servers will be used for Game for Peace from now on, as in addition to downloading from the Play Store and App Store, users can also get their hands on the new game via the PUBG Mobile client. Media company 36Kr would have reported that user data from PUBG Mobile is being passed on to the ‘replacement’. Game for Peace was made with the cooperation of the Chinese Air Force and is said to pay tribute to the fighters who defend Chinese airspace. In Game for Peace, which is still in beta, a message would also be shown during a loading screen in which the Chinese Air Force calls on people to register with the army unit.
PUBG Mobile’s withdrawal is related to the lack of approval from the State Administration of Press and Publication. This Chinese government agency is quite strict about what is and is not allowed, whereby ideological motives play a role in addition to combating addiction. Tencent probably could have maintained PUBG Mobile, but presumably the company never got approval to monetize it. Tencent can generate income through Game for Peace. On Weibo, the developments surrounding PUBG Mobile were reportedly a trending topic for a while, with the necessary criticism also being expressed.
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