Esports: Can FAU-G meet the benchmarks set by PUBG?

Since the day nCore Games announced their idea to develop India’s own mobile game, Fearless and United Guards (FAU-G), there has been immense hype surrounding the game. Fans and gamers have been eagerly waiting for the launch of the game since it was announced in September 2020.

The fact that it was announced just days after the Indian government put a ban on the fan-favourite Player Unknown’s Battle Grounds (PUBG) put FAU-G more under the spotlight. The challenge here for nCore Games was not just to release India’s very own game but also fill the void created by the ban of PUBG in the Indian gaming sector.

How PUBG brought India's gaming revolution?

No matter what one says, PUBG was surely what brought Indian gamers together. Yes, there were games and gamers before PUBG in India but the success of PUBG and its influence and contribution in the development of Indian gaming industry can’t really be explained in words.

Since its mobile release in India almost three years back in 2018, PUBG had grown into an emotion for gamers in the country. The easy accessibility and intense gameplay made it an instant hit amongst the youngsters. Gamers and streamers like Mortal, Dynamo, Scout and others became a household name in the country owing to their excellent gameplay.

Whether it’s a problem within the country or at the border...these Bharat Ke Veer always stand tall. They are our Fearless And United Guards, our FAU-G! Witness the anthem 🦁

Pre-register now https://t.co/8cuWhoHDBh

Launch 🎮 26/1@VishalGondal @nCore_games @BharatKeVeer #FAUG pic.twitter.com/ctp5otrjLE

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) January 3, 2021

But, the publicity and build-up to the official launch of FAU-G on 26th January 2020 tells one that the game is all set to take the Indian gaming market with a storm. A lot of it has to do with the highly nationalistic narrative built around the game.

FAU-G matching the standards of PUBG?

With FAU-G set to include snippets from the Galwan Valley Clash between India and China and 20% of the revenue generated by it expected to go to a trust which supports the families of Indian martyrs, the developers have cashed in on the anti-China sentiment and portrayed themselves as the flag-bearers of Indian nationalism.

While these tactics have surely worked with the game seeing a record number of pre-registrations within the first 24 hours, it remains to be seen if nCore Games succeeds in capturing imagination of the Indian gamers solely on the basis of the quality of the game, much like what PUBG did.

A poster of FAU-G

When FAU-G was launched, PUBG Mobile India users were indirectly criticising the graphics of the game which looked a bit out of date. PUBG Mobile India’s battle royale mode and FAU-G’s episodic structure was also slightly criticised although there was nothing untoward. Meanwhile, FAU-G users also took a dig at PUBG Mobile India gamers stating that they would have to play the waiting game for a longer time.

As popular as PUBG is in India, even after the ban and many streamers stepping away from playing PUBG KR version, PUBG’s popularity isn’t fading away. Questions round whether the KR version is legal to play in India or not have also been brought up, and so is an RTI asking answers about the legalities of the same have also been filed– all to see if the game can be played. The Indian players really love the game.

From a standpoint of patriotism, many pro athletes would take up FAUG, but who would stay for the second or the third or the seasons that follow is a question nCore and the ambassadors of the game need to find an answer to.

Also read: FAU-G to launch on January 26th