Tencent has reportedly pulled the plug on popular video game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds in China and shifted users to a more government-friendly game.
Tencent decided to shut down the mobile version of the battle royale game, commonly known as PUBG Mobile, because the Chinese government refused to allow in-app purchases, Reuters reported on Wednesday. Around 70 million people reportedly played PUBG Mobile in China every day.
In its place, Tencent has apparently launched a patriotic military-themed game called Game for Peace, which looks and plays similar to PUBG. Game for Peace reportedly has regulatory approval to generate revenue, which Tencent tried for more than a year to attain for PUBG.
Tencent and Bluehole, the game's developer, didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.