Singapore’s Garena Free Fire Returns to Indian App Stores with New Title
Garena, a Singaporean game developer, has announced the relaunch of its popular game Garena Free Fire in India. After being banned in February 2022 along with 54 other Chinese-linked apps, the game will make its comeback as Free Fire India on September 5. The ban had a significant impact on Garena’s parent company Sea, resulting in a $16 billion decline in market cap.
Garena Free Fire was a massive hit in India prior to its ban, ranking as the country’s third most downloaded mobile game in 2021 and generating high earnings.
In order to make a successful return to the Indian market, Garena has partnered with Yotta, a subsidiary of Indian giant Hiranandani, to address user data concerns by providing cloud and storage services. Additionally, Indian cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been appointed as the game’s brand ambassador.
The company aims to localize the game for the Indian market and incorporate content that promotes a safe, healthy, and enjoyable gaming experience. Garena co-founder Gang Ye expressed excitement about providing an engaging and highly localized experience for Indian users.
A History of Challenges
India is one of the world’s largest mobile gaming markets and a significant competitor to China’s dominance. The two countries have a history of tension, resulting in the removal and subsequent reentry of several major Chinese games in the Indian market. One notable example is PUBG Mobile, which was initially banned in India before returning as BGMI India.
According to Singapore’s High Commissioner to India, H.E. Simon Wong, Garena’s relaunch of Free Fire India demonstrates the vibrancy of India’s mobile gaming and esports space. He expressed optimism about future partnerships between India and Singapore in the digital media, entertainment, and esports sectors.
Source: Pocket Gamer