ColumbusRunion at 18:01, 4 May 2026

2026-05-04T18:01:24Z

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{{short description|Indian mobile video game}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = FAU-G
| image =
| developer = nCORE Games
| publisher = nCORE Games
| engine = [[Unity (game engine)|Unity]]
| genre = [[Action game|Action]]
| platforms = [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]]
| release = 26 January 2021
| modes = [[Singleplayer]]
| caption = Initial release poster
}}
'''''Fearless and United Guards''''' (abbreviated as '''''FAU-G''''' or '''''FAUG''''') is an [[action game]] developed by [[Bengaluru]] based company nCORE Games. It was released worldwide on 26 January 2021 for [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and in March 2021 for [[iOS]]. The game has been removed from both [[Google Play Store]] and [[App Store (Apple)|App Store]] as of 2024.

[[Bollywood]] actor [[Akshay Kumar]] is the brand ambassador of the game and also serves as a mentor to the development process.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Malhotra|first=Vanshika|date=2020-09-07|title=Indian PUBG alternative FAU:G game to release in October-end: Know details|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/technology/news-indian-pubg-alternative-fau-g-release-october-end-647862|access-date=2020-09-13|website=www.indiatvnews.com|language=en|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815084915/https://www.indiatvnews.com/technology/news-indian-pubg-alternative-fau-g-release-october-end-647862|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Development==
The game was first announced by Akshay Kumar through his social media accounts on 4 September 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|date=4 November 2020|title=Desi PUBG Mobile rival FAU-G to launch soon|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/gadgets-news/desi-pubg-mobile-rival-fau-g-to-launch-soon/articleshow/77931140.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909010207/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/gadgets-news/desi-pubg-mobile-rival-fau-g-to-launch-soon/articleshow/77931140.cms|archive-date=9 September 2020|access-date=4 September 2020|website=[[The Times of India]]|language=en|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WhenWill">{{Cite web|author=|date=8 September 2020|title=FAU-G Game: When will the Indian PUBG Mobile release?|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/gaming/pubg-mobile-ban-indian-alternative-fubg-6583153/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926051745/https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/gaming/pubg-mobile-ban-indian-alternative-fubg-6583153/|archive-date=26 September 2020|access-date=22 September 2020|website=[[The Indian Express]]|language=en|url-status=live}}</ref> The CEO of nCore Games, [[Vishal Gondal]] said that the game had been under development since May 2020, and that developers had been recruited to develop the game before the Indian ban on PUBG Mobile.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-10|title=FAU-G release by Oct end; PUBG Mobile ban coincidental: nCore Games' Vishal Gondal|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/gaming/fau-g-ncore-games-pubg-ban-india-6583483/|access-date=2020-09-13|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> Gondal stated that FAU-G would not be competing with PUBG, and that it would not be a [[battle royale game|battle royale]].

Akshay Kumar claimed that the intention of the game was to support the Indian [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]]'s [[Atmanirbhar Bharat|AtmaNirbhar Bharat]] Movement,<ref>{{Cite web|last=SinhaChaudhury|first=Krishna|date=4 September 2020|title=Akshay Kumar pushes for FAU-G, an Indian mobile game; developer to donate some revenue to Bharat Ke Veer Trust|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/technology-science/article/fau-g-action-mobile-game-to-launch-soon-akshay-kumar-tweets-this-will-support-pm-s-atmanirbhar-movement/647740|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=4 September 2020|website=[[Times Now]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|author=|date=4 September 2020|title=India's answer to PUBG? Akshay Kumar announces the launch of action game FAU-G|work=[[The Economic Times]]|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/software/indias-answer-to-pubg-akshay-kumar-announces-the-launch-of-action-game-fau-g/articleshow/77931375.cms|access-date=4 September 2020}}</ref><ref name="WhenWill" /> and that 20% of the net revenue generated from the game would be donated to [[Bharat Ke Veer]] trust, an initiative which was implemented as a collaborative effort to support the families of [[Indian Armed Forces|Indian armed forces]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=India's answer to PUBG? Akshay Kumar announces the launch of action game FAU-G|work=[[The Economic Times]]|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/software/indias-answer-to-pubg-akshay-kumar-announces-the-launch-of-action-game-fau-g/articleshow/77931375.cms|date=8 September 2020|access-date=22 September 2020|archive-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001090059/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/software/indias-answer-to-pubg-akshay-kumar-announces-the-launch-of-action-game-fau-g/articleshow/77931375.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=WhenWill/><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-04|title=FAU-G - an alternative to PUBG announced in India, and the meme-fest has begun|url=https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/fau-g-an-alternative-to-pubg-announced-in-india-and-the-meme-fest-has-begun-8785491.html|access-date=2020-09-13|website=Tech2|archive-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928200652/https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/fau-g-an-alternative-to-pubg-announced-in-india-and-the-meme-fest-has-begun-8785491.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Release==
The game was initially scheduled for an autumn release in 2020,<ref>{{Cite web|title=FAU-G set to launch in November, teaser shares glimpses of Galwan Valley|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/news/story/fau-g-set-to-launch-in-november-teaser-shares-glimpses-of-galwan-valley-1735128-2020-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108103326/https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/news/story/fau-g-set-to-launch-in-november-teaser-shares-glimpses-of-galwan-valley-1735128-2020-10-26|archive-date=8 November 2020|access-date=26 November 2020|first=Ankita|last=Chakravarti|date=26 October 2020|website=India Today|language=en|url-status=live}}</ref> and it was eventually released for Android on 26 January 2021,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-05|title=FAU-G launch date revealed: New trailer gives glimpse of first episode|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/gaming/fau-g-launch-date-revealed-new-trailer-how-to-install-gameplay-7131007/|access-date=2021-01-05|website=The Indian Express|language=en|archive-date=3 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103120230/https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/gaming/fau-g-launch-date-revealed-new-trailer-how-to-install-gameplay-7131007/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-26|title=FAU-G: Fearless and United Guards Launched for Android, May Take Some Time to Reach All Users|url=https://www.news18.com/news/tech/fau-g-fearless-and-united-guards-launched-for-android-may-take-some-time-to-reach-all-users-3341300.html|access-date=2021-01-30|website=News18|language=en|archive-date=27 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127102033/https://www.news18.com/news/tech/fau-g-fearless-and-united-guards-launched-for-android-may-take-some-time-to-reach-all-users-3341300.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and for iOS in March 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=FAU-G Now Available on App Store for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/fau-g-faug-download-app-store-ios-iphone-ipad-ipod-touch-free-campaign-android-2399526|first=Vineet |last=Washington |date=26 March 2021 |access-date=2021-03-30|website=[[NDTV Gadgets 360]] |language=en}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
It features a story mode plotted upon the incidents of the Galwan Valley clash<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|date=4 December 2020|title=FAU-G gets over 1 million pre-registrations in first 24 hours, highest ever in India|language=en|website=indianexpress|url=https://www.indianexpress.com/article/technology/gaming/fau-g-highest-pre-pregistrations-india-over-1-million-24-hours-7081703/lite/}}</ref> in which the player goes through many [[close combat]] fights. Gondal said that FAU-G could incorporate many of India's previous historic border clashes into future episode story lines such as the [[Kargil War|Kargil incident]], the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|India-Pakistan war of 1971]], and the [[2016 Indian Line of Control strike|surgical strikes of 2016]], among others.<ref name=":1" />

Gondal said, "Once we start getting the data from consumers and what elements they like, we will keep developing the game further. Based on feedback, various modes like a [[Player versus player|PvP]] mode and a Battle Royale mode can come to the game in the next few months."{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

==Reception==
On release, FAU-G received generally mixed-to-negative reviews. ''[[The Indian Express]]'' gave the game 2 stars of 5, and stated, "good graphics let down by boring gameplay".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-28|title=FAU-G Review: Good graphics let down by boring gameplay|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/gaming/fau-g-review-good-graphics-let-down-by-boring-gameplay-7163955/|access-date=2021-05-05|website=The Indian Express|language=en|archive-date=4 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304133213/https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/gaming/fau-g-review-good-graphics-let-down-by-boring-gameplay-7163955/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[India Today]]'' gave the game 4.5 stars out of 10, and stated, "an incomplete lackluster game that is no PUBG rival".<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 26, 2021|first=Manas|last=Tiwari|title=FAU-G review: An incomplete, lacklustre game that is no PUBG rival|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/reviews/story/fau-g-review-an-incomplete-lacklustre-game-that-is-no-pubg-rival-1762866-2021-01-26|access-date=2021-05-05|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> ''[[TechRadar|Techradar]]'' gave the game 2 stars out five and stated, "FAUG is basic, bland and can hardly be called a game worthy of attention in 2021. While it was rather successful at grabbing the spotlight with the announcement which led to millions of pre-registration, its shoddy content is just a waste of an opportunity."<ref>{{Cite web|first=Bodhisatwa|last=Ray|title=FAUG: Fearless and United Guards review|url=https://www.techradar.com/in/reviews/faug|access-date=2021-05-05|website=TechRadar India|date=26 January 2021|language=en|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204222320/https://www.techradar.com/in/reviews/faug|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Hindu]]'' gave the game a mixed review with praise for its fluid movement controls, the smooth frame-rate and decent graphics, but criticism for its repetitive game play.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Almeida|first=Julian|date=2021-02-01|title='FAU-G' game review: Is this a battle royale, with added masala?|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/gamespot-review-faug-battle-royale-video-game-ncore-india/article33715566.ece|access-date=2021-05-05|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> ''[[India Today]]'' gave that game 2 out of 5 stars and stated, "As a starting point, FAU-G is about okay as I was not expecting much from the game. However, the lack of any depth content, functionality, or even experience-wise is the main problem. This clearly seems like a rushed-up job to capitalize on the interest and nationalistic feelings around Republic Day. Though the company has stated that FAU-G is not meant to replace or copy PUBG, inevitable comparisons are bound to happen."<ref>{{Cite web|title=FAUG: Fearless, and United Guards Game Review|url=https://www.indiatodaygaming.com/story/faug-smartphone-game-review-uncooked-ghost-in-the-shell-251|access-date=2021-05-05|website=Indiatoday Gaming|language=en|archive-date=5 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505092207/https://www.indiatodaygaming.com/story/faug-smartphone-game-review-uncooked-ghost-in-the-shell-251|url-status=live}}</ref>

It was also a subject of [[review bomb]]ing from audiences, who compared it unfavorably to other [[battle royale game]]s like [[Pubg|PUBG]], but still remained the top downloaded game on [[Play Store]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=PUBG Fans Bombing FAU-G Reviews on Google Play|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/games/news/pubg-faug-fau-g-review-bomb-google-play-top-free-game-india-android-2362303|access-date=2021-05-05|website=NDTV Gadgets 360|date=3 February 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Krishna|first=Sai|date=2021-02-08|title=FAUG review bomb 'unfortunate', more features launching in next eight months {{!}} 91mobiles.com|url=https://www.91mobiles.com/hub/faug-review-bomb-features-report/|access-date=2021-05-05|language=en-US|archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414084222/https://www.91mobiles.com/hub/faug-review-bomb-features-report/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was the number one game in the 'free games' category on the play store, until after the reviews, it came to 11th position.

===Developer's response===
In response to the criticisms, [[Vishal Gondal]], Founder of nCore Games, stated in a telephone interview with [[Gadgets 360|Gadget 360]] that, "This is really quite unfortunate. We thought that being an Indian studio, we will receive support and encouragement from people. I can understand we are not five stars, but we are not one star either. I mean, we are somewhere in the middle right now." He called the prevalence of one-star ratings an anomaly.<ref>{{Cite web|title=FAU-G Ratings Drop Was Unexpected, Says Vishal Gondal|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/games/news/pubg-faug-fau-g-google-play-one-star-ratings-vishal-gondal-ncore-games-android-ios-new-updates-2363884|access-date=2021-05-05|website=NDTV Gadgets 360|date=5 February 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{URL|www.ncoregames.com|Official studio site}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fearless And United - Guards}}
[[Category:2021 video games]]
[[Category:Action games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in India]]
[[Category:Android (operating system) games]]
[[Category:IOS games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer online games]]
[[Category:Esports games]]
[[Category:Survival video games]]
[[Category:Tactical shooters]]
[[Category:Third-person shooters]]

Fearless and United Guards - Revision history

ColumbusRunion at 18:01, 4 May 2026