Foul Play

Illustration of updated PUBG Mobile

The Chinese corporation Tencent, the publisher of the mobile version of the action movie PUBG and the older version of the game in China, closed down PUBG Mobile in China. Instead, residents of the country are offered to download the modified version or upgrade to it: the project is called Heping Jingying. It promotes pro-state values: the fight against terrorism and entry into the Air Force.

Now, players do not just compete in assassinations but train in the fight against terrorism. Matches are positioned as “military competition,” and they are dedicated to “warriors who defend China’s air borders.” Moreover, the boot screen reports the recruitment of the country's Air Force. Along with this, PUBG Mobile has implemented a system that fights gambling addictions among young people: people under 18 cannot spend more than two hours in online battles.

A similar move was required for the National Radio and Television Administration, considered to be a censorship body, to allow the game to be monetized. PUBG Mobile could not approve, because Tencent had to apply for another project, which was approved by the officials.