Game over for PUBG? Players in Chennai oppose censorship

Pointing out that a ban would only encourage people to get it using underhand methods, Karthik Vijaykumar, captain of PUBG PC team TEG eSports, said: “Kids will see that they can’t play the game, while their friends still can, and download it anyway.”

Vasanthakumar expressed concern over the physical health of those playing the game. Vijaykumar, a professional player who trains for eight hours daily, explained that he exercises regularly by going for walks with his two dogs.

However, according to Parjender Nara, captain of team xGods, formerly known as 9yearolds, playing excessively does affect casual players. “If you’re not a professional and spend eight hours a day on the game, it is a waste of your time. That is when gaming becomes an addiction. But I do not think censorship is the right move,” said the 24-year-old.

Both gamers stress on the need for self-regulation. “It is common knowledge to take a 10-minute break after an hour of screentime, and take a small walk and drink some water. It isn’t common practice, though. I tell my fans that they shouldn’t play for eight hours and disregard their education just because I do so – they aren’t professionals. It isn’t worth their future,” said Nara.

Play hard, study hard

Responding to concerns over the impact on children’s education, Nara said the current educational system was not robust or engaging enough to maintain students’ attention.

“It doesn’t matter what the media is – it could be films or TV – kids will always find a way to avoid doing their work. I don’t understand why videogames are being targeted specifically, especially when children have everything available at their fingertips,” said Vijaykumar.

Param C Jain (10) plays PUBG Mobile for half an hour on weekdays, and one-and-a-half hours on weekends, at his parents’ instruction. “I make sure I do my schoolwork on time. People who ignore their schoolwork and only play are addicted, and they need to push themselves to focus on their education and not on games,” he said.

Annama Jhonny, a Class 8 teacher at a well-known city school, said that PUBG reduces student concentration and performance. “However, I don’t think regulation will help. Parents enforcing proper timings and rules will be more effective,” she said.