PUBG Mobile Lifts Four-Year Ban in Bangladesh

• PUBG Mobile's ban in Bangladesh has been lifted
• The game returns after a prohibition lasting nearly four years
• Enforcement was so strict that players were once arrested for organizing a LAN event

There was a period when banning major mobile games seemed unimaginable. Today, we are more aware, given similar cases like Marvel Snap. Yet even earlier, in Bangladesh, popular battle royale titles PUBG Mobile and Free Fire were removed from app stores over concerns about their negative impact on young players' mental health.

In an unexpected reversal, reports indicate the ban on PUBG Mobile in Bangladesh has been rescinded. This development is noteworthy not only because fans can now play the battle royale without legal worries, but also due to the severe initial enforcement of the prohibition.

As late as 2022, PUBG Mobile made news when authorities disrupted a LAN tournament held at a community center in Bangladesh's Chuadanga district. Naturally, this action drew criticism from the local esports community and advocates for civil liberties.

While the unbanning of PUBG Mobile is commendable, its broader impact may be limited. Many players have moved on in the intervening years. Still, it highlights how mobile gaming often intersects with paternalistic approaches from authorities seeking to regulate player behavior.

Consider the ripple effects of the TikTok ban, or how PUBG Mobile's operations in India became entangled in larger political disputes. These examples show that mobile gaming is not isolated from wider sociopolitical currents.

For most players, thankfully, such restrictions are not the norm. If you want to exercise your freedom to play what you like, when you like, explore our latest selection of the five best new mobile games to try this week.