The launch of “Battle Royal-like” games in China was halted with a red light.

On October 27th, China’s General Admission of Press and Publication (GAPP), who issues any media publication licenses in China, shared their unfavorable views on PlayerUnknown’s Battleground (PUBG).

The publication license is an official license for any publication of game, videos, texts, etc. in China and is the No.1 requirement for a foreign media to enter the Chinese market.

GAPP stated that they are well aware of PUBG’s popularity across China and are keeping a watchful eye on it. They evaluated the game to be “violent and bloody overall, the game is even reminiscent of ancient Roman gladiator battles; such factors would hurt the traditional Chinese values in morals and humanity.” They also commented that the game would be a bad influence on the young customers’ well-being.

GAPP confirmed that they would keep their disapproving position about such “Battle Royal-like” video games. The video game office of Chinese Audio-Video and Digital Publishing Association (AVDPA) ordered that the Chinese video game companies refrain from developing any similar games and that eSports and streaming platforms cut down any service involving those games.

It's estimated that licensing Korean media, already tough due to China’s implicit boycott and ban on import of Korean culture industry, has grown even more difficult to achieve. The community looks forward to how PUBG, currently dominating the Chinese gaming trend, would further be dealt with by the Chinese government.