Krafton announces BGMI’s Play Store return, but you can’t play it just yet

Krafton is also rolling out an update to users that have already downloaded the game, adding a new 1x1 map called Nusa.

New Delhi | Updated: May 28, 2023 09:30 AM IST

2 min read

BGMI was banned last year over security concerns. (Image: Krafton)

Listen to this article

Your browser does not support the audio element.

After Krafton confirmed the return of BGMI last week, the company has now announced that Android users can download the fan-favourite battle royale game starting today.

While some people were still able to install the game even before this announcement, BGMI can now be searched for directly on the Google Play Store. However, servers will only go online from May 29. That’s when iOS users will also be able to download the game.

Users that have already downloaded the game may have received an update. Krafton says that this is a part of the “preload process.” With this update, BGMI almost catches up to its global version — PUBG Mobile. It includes a new 1×1 map called Nusa, new events, a new Cycle Season, and the Stygian Liege X suit.

To recall, BGMI was banned in India last July due to security concerns, severely impacting the viewership and revenue of the esports industry. The ban was reversed last week, though, with the Indian gaming community erupting to celebrate the return of their favourite battle royale game.

BGMI, which stands for Battlegrounds Mobile India, is a localised version of PUBG Mobile that complies with the Indian government’s regulations. The game has already crossed 50 million downloads on the Google Play Store and is expected to grow even more in the coming months.

According to some reports, the updated version of the game will comply with further rules and regulations from the Indian authorities, such as the imposition of playtime restrictions and the removal of blood effects, but that hasn’t been officially confirmed yet.

From the homepage