Garena Pivots to India-Themed Games Amid Free Fire Ban Uncertainty
Singapore-based gaming giant Garena has adopted a strategic workaround to re-enter the lucrative Indian market after its flagship battle royale game Free Fire was banned in 2022 over national security concerns. While Free Fire’s return remains uncertain, TechCrunch has uncovered Garena’s quiet development of culturally tailored games for Indian audiences.
The Hindu Mythology Fighter: Versus
- Now in early access on Google Play (listed under AstroTech Studio)
- 1v1 fighting game featuring Hindu mythological themes
- Developed by Garena’s Pune team over two years (confirmed via regulatory filings)
- Harold Teo, Free Fire’s global producer, directs the studio behind the project
Upcoming India-Centric Titles
Garena’s Indian development teams are working on:
- A cricket-themed game (Pune team) - Targeting India’s most popular sport
- A Ludo-based mobile game (Mumbai team) - Capitalizing on the board game’s digital popularity
Why This Strategy Matters
- Market Realities: India’s app bans often prove permanent, forcing companies to innovate
- Localization Wins: Culturally relevant content may bypass geopolitical tensions
- Infrastructure Changes: Garena now uses Indian data centers (partnering with Yotta Infrastructure)
The Free Fire Limbo
Despite announcing a relaunch in September 2023 with local data handling improvements, Free Fire remains banned. Sea executives confirmed ongoing localization adjustments during March 2024 earnings calls but provided no timeline.
Pre-ban stats:
- 40 million monthly active users in India
- One of the country’s most popular mobile games
Operational Structure
- Singapore-based leadership oversees development
- Significant Indian workforce handles local development and marketing
- No official comments from Sea or Garena on current strategy
This quiet pivot demonstrates how global gaming companies are adapting to India’s complex regulatory environment through cultural localization rather than direct confrontation with bans.
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