Tencent sparks frenzy in China by taking down a popular video game CNN

A message posted on the sport's reputable social media account said the testing duration for PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) ended on Wednesday.

It gave no similarly information approximately PUBG, as an alternative directing users to down load Game for Peace, a new multiplayer struggle recreation.

PUBG has been a massive international fulfillment for Tencent (TCEHY) — users have spent extra than $320 millionon the game, according to research company Sensor Tower. And news of its death in China brought on a frenzy on social media —the hashtag "PUBG is long gone" changed into readmore than 550 million times.

But PUBG has now not made Tencent any money within the tech enterprise's domestic usa and the world's largest gaming market.

That's due to the fact Tencent hasn't been capable of promote subscriptions or in-game purchases for PUBG and a few different famous titles in China for months followinga regulatory crackdown through officials.

Chinese regulators said they desired to manipulate the number of new on-line video games and restrict sport time for minors. The measures are part of a central authority attempt to reduce nearsightedness in youngsters and kids.

Tencent started out getting approvals for some games in January. The decision to pull PUBG indicates that the employer did not get the green mild to monetize certainly one of its maximum precious titles.

Tencent did not reply to a request for comment.

Karen Chan, an analyst with Jefferies, stated the "earlier-than-predicted release" of Game for Peace bodes nicely for Tencent, which acquired the legit cross beforehand to make cash from the new recreation ultimate month.

Most of PUBG's Chinese customers will possibly migrate to Game of Peace, and that should power cellular sport increase later this 12 months, Chan wrote in a be aware to customers.

Tencent's inventory rose 2% in Hong Kong on Wednesday, outperforming the wider market. Shares within the global's biggest gaming organisation are up 23% for the 12 months, but still down 19% from an all time high in January2019.

Its new sport is much like PUBG, but less violent. It's also "a tribute to the People's Liberation Army Air Force ... Set under the backdrop of anti-terrorism military schooling," Chan stated.

Still, a few fans have been unhappy approximately the demise of PUBG, a game where customers took on the roles of special operations forces.

"Who desires to be some bullsh** participant, I need to be a unique op!" one consumer, who is going by means of the cope with 'the female who incorporates packing containers,' wrote on Chinese social media.

"If you are gonna exchange the call, trade it to some thing that sounds appropriate, like what's 'Game for Peace'?" user Zhang Zhongru wrote.

Don Giolzetti contributed to this story.

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//www.cnn.com/2019/05/08/tech/tencent-pubg-china/index.html
2019-05-08 12:41:00Z
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