Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), a battle royale game with a huge prize pool of rupees one crore, has been the focus of the action in the country’s franchise-based esports league, Esports Premier League (ESPL). After a month-long of riveting actions, packed with rivalries, gripping moments, and thrilling finishes, the top 16 teams were franchised, and they were set to fight in a grand LAN finale from 1-5 August 2022. However, ESPL chose to postpone the LAN Finals matches after BGMI was taken down from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
According to the official press release, the gaming app Battlegrounds Mobile India was taken down from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store on 28 July 2022, as a result of the ban the Indian government placed on using its authority under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
“As we understand, the entities concerned will evaluate and pursue the matter in accordance with the directions issued by the Government of India. We are therefore constrained to put the ESPL season two, on hold, in light of the government’s directions and the prevailing circumstances. This is an unfortunate situation for all esports enthusiasts, and also a huge setback for India Today Gaming, at this stage of the tournament. However, upon closure of the matter favourably, we intend to renew the ESPL from the stage where we are leaving it now, which means that the selected finalist teams will be invited again to take the tournament forward for the finals,” added the press note.
The organisers thanked all the ESPL season two participants, and the gaming community spread across the country, for supporting the tournament and India Today Gaming. They look forward to welcoming all at the LAN final.