Tencent cashes in with PUBG mobile game replacement, as title takes in US$14 million in 72 hours

• Game for Peace was also the most downloaded free game and top-grossing game in Apple’s China App Store as of last Friday, according to data from Sensor Tower

Chinese internet giant Tencent Holdings is already cashing in with Game for Peace, its replacement game for PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) Mobile, after the new title took in US$14 million within 72 hours.

The Game for Peace iOS version was also the most downloaded free game and top-grossing game in Apple’s China App Store as of last Friday, according to data from Sensor Tower, helping the world’s biggest games publisher by revenue to finally generate income from the massive user base for the popular battle royale genre.

Regulatory delays and a government crackdown on content have blocked Tencent from making money from the mobile version of PUBG, so it closed the title last week and launched Game for Peace, which has similar game play and allows users to migrate their data from PUBG automatically. Tencent received approval to generate revenue from the new title from regulators last month, which means users can buy skins and other in-game items immediately.


Tencent swaps in new mobile title for PUBG as regulatory delays drag

Game for Peace pays tribute to the People’s Liberation Army Air Force in defending the country’s territory, according to the new game’s website, and generated a buzz on social media in China last week with some gamers happy to have an approved title at last whereas others poked fun at the lack of gore in the “socialist” version of the game. Aside from last year’s regulatory reshuffle which saw gaming approvals paused for months, China has also moved to ban violent, sexual and politically sensitive content across many platforms, from TV shows to video games.

In a nod to the government’s campaign to protect children’s health and prevent gaming addiction, Game for Peace is only available to players aged 16 or above, according to a separate announcement by Tencent last Wednesday, and will limit play time for those aged 16 to 18 to two hours per day.


Shares in Tencent closed up 1.7 per cent at HK$382 in Hong Kong on Friday. The market is closed on Monday for a public holiday.

Tencent did not reply immediately to a request for comment.