Ever since PUBG was banned, it has opened a void that needs to be filled. Players have continued to play the game as the servers are still live, but the amount of people playing the game has dropped so drastically that players are encountering bots every game. PUBG gamers seem to be shifting to its rivals. However PUBG doesn’t have an Indian alternative and therefore, its absence is expected to benefit foreign, non-Chinese game publishers. It gives Indian game developers a new opportunity to capitalize on the market if they are able to come up with an Indian alternative.
As per industry data, online gaming platforms dominate nearly three-fourths of the domestic gaming market, thanks to the rapid rise of smartphone users. Online gaming, as a segment, is estimated to be a $1.1 billion opportunity in India by 2021, according to a Google-KPMG report.
The $3.5 billion PUBG earned worldwide during its lifetime, $41.2 million came from India. While this is only 1.2% of the game’s global revenue (a major part comes from China), PUBG Mobile was the top-grossing app in India between 1 January and 31 August this year.
Data from app analytics firm Sensor Tower showed Free Fire and COD Mobile were downloaded 3.7 million and 1.4 million times, respectively, between 3 and 9 September. The number of downloads grew 147% and 267%, respectively, from the previous week. The shift to these games in specific is because the differences between these games are little, therefore players can adapt them easily without having to learn a new game. Many Influencers shifting and streaming these games has in a way guided the community to them. Another thing that is critical to the shift is that the games have had a stable established esports scene in India that’s existed prior to PUBG ban and will only continue to grow as more people play the game which is expected to increase viewers.
Free Fire
Free Fire is the ultimate survival shooter game available on mobile. Each 10-minute game places you on a remote island where you are pit against 49 other players, all seeking survival.
This game is a battle royale game like pubg but the key differences are
In PUBG you start with 100 players in Free Fire you start with 50 players.
The graphics in Free Fire are lower than that of PUBG. So it runs smoothly on any low-end phone.
Free Fire focuses most of its attention on cosmetics, companions, and other such in-game items. Character uniqueness is another aspect that defines the game.
Free Fire has a big esports scene in India. Currently, Free Fire Indian Championship is taking place with a prize pool of 50 Lakhs.
Call of Duty Mobile
COD Mobile is also a First Person Shooter(FPS) game, the game has 2 game modes: battle royale and multiplayer.
The battle royale mode has 100 players to fight it out to survive.
The multiplayer game mode is what makes this game special and stand out. The gameplay in multiplayer completely changes from that of the battle royale mode. The maps, graphics, and gun recoils are on point and amazingly smooth.
The game has seen an increase in downloads after the PUBG ban. It has had a moderate esports scene in India but over the last few months, it has grown to 3 Indian teams participating in the World Championship regional qualifiers.
The game has the potential to replace PUBG as many PUBG pro players have been streaming the game and the audience has potentially shifted too. If PUBG does not get un-banned then this is the game I’d bet my money on.
