Which Company Owns PUBG Now? A Deep Dive into the Ownership of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds
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The current owner of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), including its mobile counterpart and various related titles, is Krafton, Inc. This South Korean video game holding company has solidified its position as the primary owner and publisher of the massively popular battle royale franchise. While other entities have played a significant role in PUBG’s history, Krafton stands as the ultimate authority over its development and operations.
Krafton’s Role as the Primary Owner
Krafton was established to manage the diverse video game assets and studios that emerged from the success of PUBG. Initially known as Bluehole, the company rebranded as Krafton in 2018, becoming the central hub for its gaming properties. This restructuring marked a significant shift, with Krafton assuming direct control over the publishing duties for PUBG and its related games.
Evolution of Ownership Structure
Before Krafton’s formation as a holding company, PUBG was developed and managed by PUBG Corporation, a subsidiary of Bluehole. In December 2020, PUBG Corporation was merged into Krafton’s internal studio system, rebranding the team as PUBG Studios. This consolidation further streamlined the company’s operations and solidified Krafton’s direct control over the PUBG franchise.
Tencent’s Indirect Stake
Although Krafton is the direct owner, it’s important to address the role of Tencent Holdings, a Chinese multinational conglomerate. Tencent holds a significant stake in Krafton, making it an indirect owner of PUBG. This relationship is complex, as while Tencent doesn’t directly manage PUBG development or operations, its investment carries weight.
Revocation of Publishing Rights in India
Notably, Krafton revoked Tencent Games’ publishing rights for PUBG Mobile in India. This decision followed a ban imposed by the Indian government due to concerns about national security and data privacy. This action illustrates Krafton’s capacity to make crucial decisions regarding the management and distribution of the game.
PUBG’s Global Reach and Rebranding
The PUBG franchise has seen tremendous growth and has expanded beyond its original PC and mobile versions. To reflect this expansion, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds was rebranded as PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS. This name change signifies a broader vision for the brand, including new media properties and experiences that go beyond the typical battle royale format.
PUBG: Battlegrounds and Its Popularity
Despite evolving into a multi-platform franchise, PUBG: Battlegrounds remains incredibly popular, with a large player base across different platforms. The game has consistently been one of the most played titles on Steam, reflecting its continued influence in the gaming world.
Diversification Beyond Traditional Gaming
Krafton continues to diversify the PUBG brand, looking to branch out into new avenues beyond traditional gaming platforms. This includes potential expansions in various media, reinforcing Krafton’s position as the ultimate owner with control over the broader PUBG universe.
FAQs: Understanding PUBG Ownership and Its History
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the ownership and history of PUBG:
1. Is PUBG owned by a Chinese company?
No, PUBG is not owned by a Chinese company. While Tencent has a significant stake in Krafton, the primary owner and operator of PUBG is the South Korean company, Krafton, Inc.
2. What does PUBG stand for?
PUBG stands for PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds.
3. Why was PUBG banned in some countries?
PUBG Mobile was banned in countries like India due to concerns regarding data privacy and national security. China also banned the original PUBG Mobile for failing to meet patriotic standards. Additionally, some countries like Iraq have banned it for perceived negative effects on society.
4. What is the new company of PUBG?
The new company isn’t new; it’s simply Krafton, Inc, a South Korean video game holding company that was formed from Bluehole to manage the PUBG franchise and other assets.
5. Who is the creator of PUBG?
PUBG was created by Brendan Greene, who is often referred to as “PlayerUnknown.” Brendan Greene is an Irish game designer who pioneered the battle royale genre with his work on PUBG.
6. What is PUBG called now?
PUBG is now officially known as PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS. This rebranding reflects the growth of the franchise and its expansion into multiple media properties.
7. Is PUBG Mobile still popular?
Yes, PUBG Mobile remains incredibly popular globally, despite bans in certain regions. It still has millions of active players and is a major title in the mobile gaming space.
8. How rich is the owner of PUBG?
The owner of Krafton, Chang has a net worth of $2.9 billion and is considered one of the seven gaming billionaires in South Korea.
9. Why did PUBG change its name?
PUBG changed its name to PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS to signify the expansion of the brand beyond the original game. It is now a universe with multiple potential properties.
10. Who is the richest PUBG gamer?
As of the latest records, Johan Sundstein, also known as N0tail, is considered the richest eSports player who has earned about $7.18 million throughout his eSports gaming career.
11. Is Tencent removed from PUBG?
Tencent’s direct involvement in publishing PUBG Mobile was revoked in India, but the company still holds a significant stake in Krafton, making them an indirect stakeholder.
12. Is PUBG still popular in 2023?
Yes, PUBG: Battlegrounds is still very popular in 2023. It remains one of the most played games on Steam, with over 415 thousand peak concurrent players in the last recorded month of September 2023.
13. What are games similar to PUBG?
Games similar to PUBG in theme and gameplay include Call of Duty: Mobile and Fortnite. These games offer similar 100-player deathmatch modes and battle royale gameplay.
14. Why did China ban PUBG?
China banned PUBG Mobile for not being patriotic enough. It was likely also due to the country’s strict regulatory laws on video games.
15. Which country is PUBG from?
PUBG is from South Korea, developed by a subsidiary of the South Korean company, Krafton.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the current and direct owner of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) is Krafton, Inc., a South Korean video game holding company. While Tencent maintains a significant stake in Krafton, Krafton has ultimate control over the development, management, and operation of the PUBG franchise. The history of PUBG is a story of evolution, from being a single game developed under Bluehole to a widespread franchise under Krafton, further solidifying its position as a major player in the global gaming landscape.