Tencent Took ‘PUBG’ Down In China, Replaced With Patriotic Alternative

The wildly popular battle royale game “PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds” or “PUBG” has reportedly been taken down in China -- only to be replaced by a game that feels similar to it.

After amassing well over 70 million players, Chinese tech company Tencent had to take down the immensely popular game “PUBG” even after putting much effort to meet the Chinese government’s rigid rules when it comes to online games, Reuters reported.

Tencent had been developing a localised “PUBG” test build for almost two years now, Destructoid reported. The localised version featured various changes to the original game, including changes in the game’s aesthetics and violent content. Tencent had to make these changes in order to gain approval from the state government.

Despite these changes, however, Tencent failed to gain approval as the game’s in-app microtransactions still featured war-based content. In fact, Tencent hasn’t been able to sell game subscriptions or in-app items for a time now due to a crackdown in China, CNN reported.

The crackdown is meant to “control the number of new online games, explore an age-appropriate reminder system in line with national conditions, and take measures to limit the use time of minors," Chinese officials were quoted as saying in 2018.

A non-violent socialist replacement

Despite gaining approvals for some titles, Tencent had to take “PUBG” down as it failed to gain approval from China’s State Administration of Press and Publication for the game’s in-app microtransactions.

Of course, players were unhappy with the news, but Tencent had an alternative -- a new game called “Game for Peace.” This game, according to Tencent, honors the “blue sky warriors,” a reference to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force.

Those who played “Game for Peace” were surprised at how similar it is to “PUBG.” User reviews for the game said it had the same gameplay, background, graphic design and characters. Users also commented how “Game for Peace” removed “PUBG’s” gore and turned it into a “very socialist” game.

Previous “PUBG” players also reported that Tencent had their “PUBG” player progress, including their in-game stats, transferred to “Game for Peace.” Those who moved to “Game for Peace” found themselves in a place resembling the one they left off in “PUBG.”