The speculation regarding Chinese apps, products, and games being banned in India is one of the hottest topics at this moment. It all started after the recent clash between the Indian and Chinese troops at the Galwan Valley, on the night of June 15. During a territorial discussion between the two nations, the Chinese PLA goons attacked the Indian delegation with sticks, stones, and clubs wrapped in barbed wire. This heinous incident hurt the sentiments of millions of Indians who have called upon their brethren to boycott Chinese products, services, and games.
Popular mobile games: Which games are owned by Chinese companies?
Let’s see which of the most popular mobile games are actually Chinese, and which are not.
1. PUBG Mobile
Origin of PUBG Mobile
PUBG Mobile is an online multiplayer Battle Royale game developed and published by PUBG Corporation. It is a subsidiary of South Korean video game company Bluehole. Tencent first invested in Bluehole in 2017 acquiring 1.5 per cent of Bluehole. Later investing an undisclosed amount rumoured to be around 10 per cent. The mobile version of the game was developed by Tencent.
Is PUBG Mobile a Chinese game?
Even though PUBG Mobile is banned in China, it is developed by Tencent. Hence, we can say that PUBG Mobile is a Chinese owned game.
2. Call of Duty: Mobile
Origin of COD Mobile
Call of Duty: Mobile is an online free-to-play first-person shooter developed by TiMi Studios and published by Activision. TiMi Studios is a subsidiary of the company Tencent. Back in 2012, Activision announced a deal to buy back Vivendi’s stake in the company and become independent. Tencent jumped at the opportunity to buy 5 percent of the company for an undisclosed amount.
Is COD Mobile a Chinese game?
Tencent is one of the shareholders of Activision owning 5% and also owns TiMi Studios, making it a Chinese owned game.
3. Free Fire
Origin of Free Fire
Garena Free Fire is an online multiplayer Battle Royale game, developed by 111 Dots Studio and published by Garena. 111dots Studio is a Vietnam based company, whereas Garena is a Singapore based company. However, Garena was founded by Forrest Li(Chairman and Group CEO of Garena) was born and raised in China. Garena is a subsidiary company to Sea Ltd. that is based in Southeast Asia and Taiwan.
Is Free Fire a Chinese game ?
No. Even though the founder is born and raised in China, it doesn’t make Free Fire a Chinese owned game.
4. Clash of clans
Origin of Clash of Clans
Clash of Clans is a freemium mobile strategy game developed and published by Finnish game developer Supercell. Tencent bought out Japan’s SoftBank, which had held a 73% stake in Supercell. Tencent now owns about 84% of the mobile games maker, valued at $8.57 billion, the remainder of which will be owned by Supercell’s own employees.
Is Clash of Clans a Chinese game?
Yes. Even though Supercell is based in Finland, Tencent owns 84% of Supercell making it a Chinese game.
5. Clash Royale
Origin of Clash Royale
Clash Royale is a freemium real-time strategy video game. Supercell developed and published the game combining elements from collectible card games, tower defense, and multiplayer online battle arena.
Is Clash Royale a Chinese game?
Just like Clash of Clans, Supercell developed and published the game. However, Tencent owns 84% of Supercell making it a Chinese game as well.
6. PES Mobile
Origin of PES Mobile
eFootball PES 2020 is a football simulation video game developed by PES Productions and published by Konami. The game is the 19th instalment in the Pro Evolution Soccer series. Konami Holdings Corporation is a Japanese entertainment and gambling conglomerate operating as a product distributor, video game developer, and publisher company.
Is PES Mobile a Chinese game?
Nope. Konami, a Japanese company developed and published the game.
7. FIFA Mobile
Origin of FIFA Mobile
FIFA Mobile is an association football simulation video game developed by EA Mobile and EA Canada and published by EA Sports. Electronic Arts Inc is an American video game company ranking second-largest in America and Europe.
Is FIFA Mobile a Chinese game?
No. EA is an American company.
8. Mobile Legends
Origin of Mobile Legends
Mobile Legends is a mobile multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) developed and published by Moonton. Moonton initially known as YoungJoy Technology Limited was founded in April 2014 and then became Shanghai Moonton Technology Co. Ltd. This is a Chinese video game developer and publisher based in Shanghai, China.
Is Mobile Legends a Chinese game?
Yes. The origin of Mobile Legends is from China, as the developers and publishers are based in China.
9. Candy Crush
Origin of Candy Crush
Candy Crush Saga is a free-to-play match-three puzzle video game released by King. King and also known as King Digital Entertainment, is a video game developer based in St. Julian’s, Malta that specializes in the creation of social games. On 23 February 2016, Activision Blizzard closed its acquisition of King for a deal of $5.9 billion.
Is Candy Crush a Chinese game?
Yes. Tencent owns a 5% share of Activision Blizzard which acquired King for $5.9 billion. Tencent also launched its own version of Candy Crush in China.
10. Pokémon Go
Origin of Pokémon Go
Pokémon Go is a 2016 augmented reality (AR) mobile game developed and published by Niantic in collaboration with The Pokémon Company. Niantic, Inc is an American software development company based in San Francisco, which is best known for developing the augmented reality mobile games.
Is Pokémon Go a Chinese game?
No. Niantic, an American company developed Pokémon Go .
11. Arena of Valor
Origin of Arena of Valor
Arena of Valor is a 3D, third-person, multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game for mobile with multiple modes like Grand Battle, Valley Skirmish, and Abyssal Clash. TiMi Studios developed it with the same engine and UI design as Honor of Kings and Tencent published it for the western market. Garena also joined the development team as they helped to westernize the atmosphere of the game.
Is Arena of Valor a Chinese game?
Yes. KiMi Studios, a subsidiary of Tencent developed the game and Tencent, published it.
12. Ludo King
Origin of Ludo King
Ludo King is an Indian free-to-play modernization of the board game, Ludo, which in turn is based on the ancient Indian game of Pachisi. The game became a sensation during the Lockdown period in India. Indian studio Gametion Technologies Pvt Ltd developed the game on the Unity game engine.
Is Ludo King a Chinese game?
No, Indian Studio Gametion developed the game. It is the first Indian game making it into the list of popular games.
Why boycott Chinese games?
China earns billions of dollars each month from the various mobile games played by Indians alone. Millions of Indians actively play PUBG Mobile every day. Consequently, helping Chinese gaming giant Tencent cash in an average of $7-8 million every month. They achieved this by selling virtual clothing items like jackets, weapons, and mini-skirts for real money just from PUBG Mobile alone. Additionally, if we add in other popular Chinese games the amount of money Tencent alone makes from India is insane. Chinese games being banned in India might not have a huge impact on the economy of China but it would be a strong message from the Indian gaming community to the entire world.
Is India really banning Chinese Apps and Games?
Many hoax messages have been circulating on social media about Chinese apps and games being banned in India as well. Recently, one such message claimed that the National Informatics Centre under the Ministry of Electronics and IT has issued an order prohibiting the use of certain Chinese apps and games on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. However, the official twitter handle of PIB Fact Check refuted the claim. They confirmed that the order is not only fake but also no such instruction has been given.
That’s all we got for today regarding Chinese apps and games being banned in India. What is your opinion on this? Let us know in the comment section below.
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