Our priority is to build FFI into a lasting part of the country’s gaming community: Vaibhav Das Mundhra, head of operations, India, Garena

Garena has announced the availability of Free Fire India (FFI) starting October 28. Available as a standalone app on the App Store and Google Play, FFI, according to the company, will offer exciting gameplay, opportunities to connect with friends and locally relevant content. On Free Fire India's launch, Times of India spoke to Vaibhav Das Mundhra, head of operations, India, Garena on the game and the company's India plans.Garena already has Free Fire Max as one of the most popular mobile action games in India. How does Free Fire India make a difference to users in India?Free Fire India (FFI) is a new standalone app developed specifically for mobile gamers in India, offering fast-paced gameplay, an engaging social experience and broad device accessibility. We have optimised FFI to run smoothly on a wide range of smartphones, including lower-specification devices, making the game accessible to more players across India. Free Fire MAX will remain as a separate app for players using higher-specification devices. For us, bringing FFI to players is also a way to build on our relationship with India’s gaming community over the years. As part of this, we will be introducing an in-game Diwali campaign, featuring localised bundles.How is Garena balancing an engaging player experience with measures that encourage healthy gaming habits, particularly among younger audiences?We have built several safeguards into FFI to support responsible gameplay and help players maintain a healthy balance. These include age-verification features, with users under 18 needing consent from a parent or guardian before creating an account, regular break reminders, and defined playtime limits, which is up to 6 hours per day for users above 18 and up to 3 hours for users under 18. Spending caps will apply to users under 18, while in-game purchases remain optional. Some visual effects have also been modified, with red blood and certain other effects removed or replaced.We are committed to promoting responsible gameplay and fostering positive community engagement. Through “Play It Right”, we devote significant resources to helping FFI players develop healthy gaming habits and contribute to a supportive gaming community. The initiative focuses on developing educational and short-video content, relatable comics, break reminder notifications breaks, limiting playtime, and focusing on their overall well-being. These safeguards are part of how we are building a more responsible environment for players and families, while allowing the community to enjoy the game in a healthy and balanced way.Data security and regulatory compliance have become important considerations for digital platforms in India. How have these considerations shaped Garena's approach to developing and operating Free Fire India?When we prepared FFI for availability in India, data protection and local requirements were important considerations for us. The game will be hosted on servers in India, and sensitive personal data of Indian users related to FFI will be stored locally in India. We have also taken feedback from relevant government authorities into account as we prepared the game for players here. Our focus is on protecting player data and operating in line with applicable Indian laws and regulations.In developing and operating FFI, we also draw on Garena’s development expertise across markets, with a local team in India supporting the game’s marketing and operations.As competitive gaming continues to grow in India, how does Garena see the role of grassroots and collegiate competitions in developing Indian esports talent and creating opportunities to compete internationally?We believe grassroots and collegiate competitions play an important role in nurturing Indian esports talent. These tournaments provide aspiring players and teams with opportunities to hone their skills, gain competitive experience, and progress through different levels of competition.Looking ahead, what are Garena's priorities for Free Fire India, and how does the company envision strengthening its engagement with India's gaming community, including players, creators and esports talent?Our priority is to build FFI into a lasting part of the country’s gaming community. This starts with delivering a familiar, engaging experience tailored to players in India, while encouraging safe and responsible play. We will continue developing the game in ways that give players more opportunities to enjoy themselves and connect with one another.We are grateful for the support players, creators, and competitive gaming communities have shown us over the years, and hope to continue building on these relationships. Our local team will support marketing and operations, helping us stay attuned to the needs and interests of the community. We will also continue to explore in-game campaigns that celebrate India's diverse cultures and communities.We see this as a long-term effort, and look forward to sharing more about future initiatives as they take shape.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.