KRAFTON has issued an apology and promptly removed the item from the game.
An official statement for PUBG Mobile players was released earlier today, in which KRAFTON addressed player concerns regarding the name of a newly added item.
While remaining vague on specifics, the developer confirmed that said item has been removed immediately and that the studio will strengthen its content review process to “ensure our game is sensitive to different religions, cultures, and practices.”
What item was removed from PUBG Mobile?
The controversial item removed from PUBG Mobile is the “Hand of Almighty” themed card. It was introduced two days ago in the new themed mode, Hero's Crown, alongside the massive 4.4 version update.
The card allowed players to generate temporary cover for protection during matches. It also featured an image of a divine-like hand descending from the clouds.
Why did PUBG Mobile remove the Hand of Almighty card?
The “Hand of Almighty” card drew criticism from parts of the community–mainly Muslims from the Middle East–due to the card’s name, which some players felt carried unintended religious connotations.
Several players noted that when translated into Arabic, the in-game term becomes “Al-Jabbar”, one of the names used in religious contexts to refer to God in Islam. Note that many users in the region play the game with Arabic language as their default.
One Facebook user stated that the name “holds deep religious and spiritual significance for millions of Muslims around the world.”
They added: “We fully understand that the intention behind the name may not have been offensive. However, using sacred religious names in entertainment content, cosmetics, weapons, or game items can be considered disrespectful or insensitive by many members of the Muslim community.”
As players spotted the name, many began reaching out to the development team requesting a rename or removal of the item.
KRAFTON’s swift response to take down the item has been met with appreciation from much of the community, though debates have inevitably emerged over whether the backlash and subsequent removal were warranted.
