When Was PUBG Started? A Deep Dive into the Battle Royale Phenomenon
PUBG: Battlegrounds, originally known as PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, first made its debut as an Early Access title on March 23, 2017, on Steam for PC gamers. While the mobile version, PUBG Mobile, was officially released later on March 19, 2017, for Android and iOS, the original PC version is considered the genesis of the PUBG phenomenon. This marked the start of what would become a global gaming sensation, revolutionizing the battle royale genre and leaving an indelible mark on the gaming landscape.
The Genesis of PUBG: Battlegrounds
The brainchild of Brendan Greene, also known as “PlayerUnknown,” PUBG was heavily influenced by the Japanese film Battle Royale and mods he created for games like Arma 2 and DayZ. Greene’s ambition was to create a standalone experience where players would compete in a last-man-standing deathmatch on a large, shrinking map.
The Early Access release allowed the developers to gather player feedback, make necessary adjustments, and refine the core gameplay mechanics that have since become synonymous with the genre. This approach allowed the game to rapidly evolve based on what players loved and to rectify issues that emerged during the initial launch. The fast-paced action, the tension of navigating the landscape with dwindling resources and the intensity of the final combat sequences quickly drew players in.
The Meteoric Rise of PUBG
From its initial launch on Steam, PUBG experienced an unprecedented surge in popularity. Within months, it shattered records for concurrent player counts on the platform. The game’s emphasis on tactical gameplay, strategic looting, and intense shootouts attracted players from all corners of the world. Its impact was so profound that it ignited the battle royale craze, inspiring numerous other games to adopt similar mechanics.
PUBG’s success extended far beyond its PC origins. Tencent Games, a major player in the mobile gaming industry, recognized the potential of the game and collaborated with Bluehole, the original developer (now Krafton), to bring PUBG Mobile to the masses. This mobile adaptation further propelled PUBG’s reach, transforming it into a global cultural phenomenon.
The Continued Evolution of PUBG
Even several years after its initial release, PUBG continues to evolve. Developers have consistently introduced new features, maps, weapons, and gameplay modes to maintain a fresh and engaging experience. The game has also seen a significant expansion into the esports world with major global tournaments and significant prize pools. While it has faced competition from other popular battle royale titles like Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone, PUBG has maintained a large and dedicated fanbase.
The constant stream of updates and changes demonstrate that the PUBG team has no intention of resting on the success of the game, which has kept fans coming back for more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is PUBG still popular in 2023?
Yes, while its peak popularity may have passed, PUBG remains a widely played game. As of September 2023, PUBG: Battlegrounds on Steam had over 415,000 peak concurrent players. The mobile version, PUBG Mobile, also maintains a large and active global player base.
2. Which country is the creator of PUBG?
PUBG was developed by PUBG Corporation, a subsidiary of the South Korean gaming company Bluehole (now known as Krafton). While the game’s creator, Brendan Greene, is Irish, the company behind the game’s development is South Korean.
3. How much is the owner of PUBG worth?
According to Forbes, Chang Byung-gyu, chairman of Krafton (the parent company of PUBG Corporation), has a net worth of $2.9 billion and is one of South Korea’s gaming billionaires.
4. Who is the richest PUBG player?
Based on available data, the top-earning PUBG esports players are mostly from India. Goblin topped the earnings chart in 2022 with approximately $40,819. While these are high earnings for esports players within their region, they are often lower compared to top esports players from other games.
5. What was PUBG originally called?
PUBG was originally known as PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. The game was named in part after its creator, Brendan Greene, also known as PlayerUnknown.
6. Why has PUBG lost some of its popularity?
PUBG’s decline in player numbers has been attributed to several factors, including the oversaturation of the battle royale genre. The rise of competing titles like Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone and Call of Duty Mobile has fragmented the player base, and the game’s initial popularity spike has naturally normalized as time goes on.
7. What are the key differences between PUBG and Fortnite?
PUBG aims for a more realistic and tactical approach to the battle royale genre with its gunplay and pacing, while Fortnite emphasizes vibrant visuals, building mechanics, and a more casual, fun-oriented experience. PUBG focuses on realism, accurate weapons, and military combat. Fortnite is more cartoonish and playful.
8. When was the peak popularity of PUBG?
While it’s hard to pinpoint a single year, PUBG saw peak concurrent player counts in early 2018, hitting 3.2 million players in January. PUBG Mobile saw its most active year in 2021.
9. Is there a PUBG 2 confirmed?
As of now, there is no official confirmation from Krafton regarding a sequel named PUBG 2. Any information about PUBG 2 should be taken with a pinch of salt, as it has only appeared in unofficial online sources.
10. Who is the “father” of PUBG?
Brendan Greene, known as PlayerUnknown, is considered the “father” of PUBG. He conceived the core gameplay mechanics and vision for the game, drawing heavily from mods he created for previous titles and the Battle Royale movie.
11. Which country plays PUBG the most?
The USA has the highest number of PUBG players, accounting for approximately 24% of the player base. However, the game still has a large global audience.
12. Is PUBG still popular in the USA?
While PUBG’s peak popularity has declined from its 2018 highs, it is still played in the USA, though not as popular as other games. The American player base is still a large part of the overall global player numbers.
13. Is PUBG banned in India?
Yes, PUBG Mobile was banned in India due to national security concerns, particularly over data privacy issues and concerns that user data might be transferred to China. Though the game later returned as BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India), it was re-banned in 2023, with no future release date announced at time of writing.
14. Is PUBG banned in Dubai or the UAE?
There is no direct evidence that the game PUBG is banned in Dubai or the UAE. The source material actually refers to the game The Line being banned due to taking place in a destroyed Dubai and not PUBG.
15. Is PUBG more popular than Call of Duty?
While Call of Duty: Mobile has been rated by some sources as the most popular mobile game, surpassing PUBG Mobile, overall popularity fluctuates and varies based on platform. Each game has its own dedicated fanbase, with neither having a definitively larger overall userbase at any given time. The popularity of each title can often depend on the region.