On Friday evening, actor-producer Akshay Kumar announced and presented a multiplayer action game ‘Fearless And United: Guards’ (FAU-G), an Indian app and alternative to the popular Chinese game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) that was banned along with 118 Chinese apps recently owing to the rising border tensions between India and China.
Developed by Vishal Gondal’s nCORE Games, the homegrown app has been developed as a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ movement.
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) September 4, 2020
In response to PM @narendramodi call of #AtmaNirbharApp, @nCore_games is proud to announce our action game Fearless And United: Guards FAU:G with mentorship from @akshaykumar 20% of net revenues donated to @BharatKeVeer trust for India’s Bravehearts #JaiHind #FAUG #gaming pic.twitter.com/OZTKj2mdFl
— Vishal Gondal (@vishalgondal) September 4, 2020
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
While there have been several alternatives and similar versions to the game launched on the app stores, this app has garnered the attention of viewers owing to the development of the app under Akshay’s mentorship.
Additionally, the founder has also announced that 20% of revenues from the app would go towards the ‘Bharat Ke Veer’ trust founded by Amit Shah, the Home Minister of India. It is a trust that pays homage and provides support to families of the defence forces.
While the app is yet to launch and further details be divulged, Gondal told The Indian Express that they do not intend on competing with PUBG. “FAU-G was always in the pipeline and we were preparing for an October release. The ban on PUBG Mobile was coincidental,” said Gondal. He also revealed that the team has been actively working on FAU-G since May-June 2020.
“There’s a belief that Indian game developers can’t produce good quality games, at nCore we want to prove that mentality wrong and bring out games that can compete with international games,” Gondal said.
He also added that the name FAU-G is the brainchild of actor Akshay Kumar and that the first episode will be based on the Galwan Valley incident. “With FAU-G, the aim is to make players aware of crucial incidents of our country like the Galwan Valley clash and the value of Indian soldiers,” said Gondal to the daily.
Fans and social media users were quick to respond to the launch, attracting positive as well as negative feedback. While some pointed out the game’s poster’s similarity to ‘Fanatical Futurist’, a US-military based action game and some painted it to be a well-planned announcement, others supported the app and were willing to play the same.
At least make something original. #FAUG
Original Copy pic.twitter.com/qlGP465ygA
— Spirit of Congress (@SpiritOfCongres) September 4, 2020
Series of event.
#FAUG #Akshaykumar #PUBG pic.twitter.com/v9UIrV5Mpb
— Risssshabh👶 (@Sarcasmiclol) September 4, 2020
*PUBG out, FAUG in*
Meanwhile Akshay Kumar: pic.twitter.com/m4IvWl3bZn
— رومانا (@RomanaRaza) September 4, 2020
I might come up with an app to replace #PUBG – but it will be essentially people fighting with veggies. Hunting each other down with tomatoes & the odd potato. I will call it #SUBG
— Naomi Datta (@nowme_datta) September 2, 2020
#PUBG stands for “Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds”#FAUG stands for “We Can’t Even Come Up with An Original Name for A Game We Want To Copy And Sell In The Name of Nationalism.”
— Meghnad 🔗 (@Memeghnad) September 4, 2020
Our #Fau_G is any day better than their #PUBG. BKV salutes the noble gesture by @akshaykumar and @vishalgondal . It also reflects a strong commitment to Hon’ble PM @narendramodi‘s #AtmaNirbharBharat movement. Happy gaming all FAU-Gs!! Jai Hind🇮🇳 @BharatKeVeer #FAUGGame https://t.co/3kgVTVeCGY
— M.S.Bhatia,IPS (@MSBhatiaIPS) September 4, 2020
Action game and that too which generates revenue for @BharatKeVeer #FAUG..SALUTE 🇮🇳 https://t.co/dhO2kQPoJv
— Vidyut Jammwal (@VidyutJammwal) September 4, 2020
The Indian government banned 118 apps on Wednesday including the popular battle royale game PUBG Mobile and its lite version, PUBG Lite. While it has been removed from the Google Play Store and App Store, users who have the game downloaded on their phones still have access to the game.
