An Indian NGO called Prahar has raised concerns about Tencent’s new game Undawn in the Indian market. The NGO alleges that the zombie survival shooter contains references to the Galwan border incident, which was a border dispute between China and India. The incident led to tensions between the two countries and resulted in the banning of PUBG: Mobile and other apps with connections to Chinese companies.

According to Prahar, Undawn features visually similar weapons and uniforms to those used by Chinese soldiers during the Galwan border incident. However, an investigation by media outlet News9, conducted before the game’s release, has contradicted these claims by showing that the alleged references are not present in the game.

Trouble in India…again

This incident highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding games like Undawn and BGMI. While it is unclear to what extent the Indian government has considered the NGO’s concerns, the incident showcases the challenges faced by Tencent. The company’s investments in India have been lucrative, but they have also led to severed ties with partner Krafton, who experienced success with BGMI even after a ten-month ban. There is a possibility that legislative action may impact Undawn and other games.

On the other hand, this situation may benefit local developers, with games like SuperGaming’s Indus already attracting interest from players before its release. However, legislative overreach remains a concern, with frustrations arising from a lack of consultation and vague guidelines within India’s growing games industry.

We ranked Tencent as one of the top mobile game makers of 2022.