Free Fire India, the India-exclusive version of the popular battle royale game, has been delayed for several weeks without any clear explanation from the developer Garena. The game was expected to launch on September 5, 2023, after being banned in the country in February 2022 due to security and privacy concerns. However, fans of the game have been left disappointed and frustrated by the lack of communication and updates from Garena.
Garena postpones launch to refine gameplay and localisation
According to a statement from Garena, the launch of Free Fire India has been postponed by a few more weeks to ensure the best possible experience for the Indian fans. The statement also said that Garena is working on refining the gameplay and localising the game for the Indian audience.
However, the statement did not specify any exact or tentative launch date, leaving the fans in the dark about when they can expect to play their favourite game again. Some fans have speculated that the game could launch in early 2024, based on the comments from some popular Free Fire creators. However, this is not confirmed by Garena and should be taken with a grain of salt.
Garena promises data security and safety features for Free Fire India
One of the main reasons for the ban of Free Fire in India was the alleged threat to the country’s security and user data by Chinese-linked apps. To address this issue, Garena has partnered with Yotta, a service provider approved by the Reserve Bank of India, to host and manage the personal data of Indian users on local servers. This is expected to ensure data security and compliance with local regulations.
Garena has also announced some safety features for Free Fire India to promote a healthy and fun gaming environment. These include a verification system for parental supervision, especially for underage players, a limit on playtime and spending, and a reporting mechanism for toxic behaviour.
Garena signs MS Dhoni as brand ambassador and introduces new character Thala
To hype up the launch of Free Fire India, Garena has signed former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni as the brand ambassador for the game. Dhoni will also be featured as a playable character named Thala, which is his popular nickname among his fans.
Garena has also roped in other leading Indian sportspersons, such as football captain Sunil Chhetri, badminton champion Saina Nehwal, tennis legend Leander Paes, and Kabbadi star Rahul Chaudhari, to promote the game. A trailer featuring these celebrities was released by Garena on their social media platforms.
Free Fire India pre-registration still open on Google Play Store and Apple App Store
Despite the delay in launch, Garena has kept the pre-registration for Free Fire India open on both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. Players who pre-register for the game will receive exclusive perks and rewards when they install the game.
Garena has not revealed what these perks are, but some leaks suggest that they could include diamonds, skins, characters, weapons, and more. To pre-register for Free Fire India, players need to visit the respective app stores and click on the pre-register button.
Free Fire India is one of the most anticipated games in the country, as it has a huge fan base and a thriving esports scene. However, fans will have to wait patiently for Garena to announce an official launch date and hope that there are no further delays or complications.
