On April 14–15, 2026, attacks on schools took place in the Turkish provinces of Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş. As a result, 9 people were killed and around 30 were injured.
Rumors began circulating on Turkish social media that one of the attackers was an active PUBG Mobile player and allegedly “recreated a game scenario.” Following these events, a wave of criticism toward video games rose in Turkey. Politicians, activists, and some media outlets started linking teenage aggression to PUBG Mobile.
Accusations were also directed at the PC version of PUBG. It was reported that one of the suspects played games with violent content, including PUBG. However, according to DonanımHaber, the individual’s Steam account did not contain PUBG.
Most of the accusations against PUBG and similar games have emerged in the context of the investigation into “C31K,” a Telegram channel allegedly linked to the attacks. Police detained more than 80 people for “glorifying crime” on social media, including Telegram channels.
Amid these developments, an official statement was released by PUBG Mobile Türkiye:
“We are deeply saddened by the attacks on educational institutions in Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş. We believe that schools should be symbols of safety, peace, and protection for children and youth; we will never tolerate violence directed at these institutions. We express our condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.
As PUBG MOBILE, we always prioritize the safety of our players and the creation of a healthy, positive digital environment. We will continue to oppose any forms of violence that threaten public peace and security, while maintaining our approach to responsible gaming and respect for social values.”
Although rumors about a potential shutdown of the game continue to circulate, no official statement has been issued by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) or relevant ministries regarding a ban on PUBG.
At the same time, it has been reported that, under the coordination of the Ministry of National Education, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Family and Social Services, a comprehensive review process has been launched to assess digital content that may encourage youth violence.
It is worth noting that DRX’s net profit dropped by more than 90% in 2025 despite revenue growth.
