In 2017 multiplayer gaming was changed permanently.

Before that shooting games were mostly about respawns, team deathmatches and are short rounds. Then a game was released and then millions of players were jumping out from a plane to a massive open island, scrambling for weapons and fighting for being the last one alive.

That game was PUBG: Battlegrounds.

It didn’t invent battle royale concept but it was first game that made battle Royale global. Today almost every major multiplayer game franchise have a battle royale mode in it but this explosion was first started with PUBG.

Let us break down everything exactly how it was happened.

What Is Battle Royale?

Battle royale formula is very simple at its core :

• 100 players dropped in a large map
• Everyone starts with nothing
• Weapons and loot are scattered randomly in whole map
• A shrinking “safe zone” forces players be together or in small area
• The last player (or team) which alive will win

This tension of knowing that one mistake will ends your entire match. This is what made PUBG feel different.

Battle Royale concept was actually first evolved from mods created for ARMA 2 where developer Brendan Greene experimented with survival-based multiplayer but PUBG was the first time where idea was packaged into a polished standalone experience.

Why PUBG Exploded in 2017

Many games launch every year and only very few reshape gaming industry. PUBG did this in three major reasons.

1. Realism Over Flash

Unlike later competitors PUBG focused on realism:

• Real-world inspired weapons
• Bullet physics
• Tactical movement
• Large and believable maps

Original Erangel map felt grounded and dangerous. Every open field was risky and every gunshot meant like someone might be hunting you.

This grounded tone have attracted serious competitive players.

2. Streamers Made It Go Viral

PUBG was built for content so every match have created unpredictable moments:

• Lucky headshots
• Intense final circles
• Sudden betrayals
• Clutch 1v4 fights

Platforms like Twitch and YouTube amplified these type of moments so watching someone survive with chaotic last circle is almost feel as exciting as playing by your own.

And this organic exposure pushed PUBG to a record breaking numbers.

At one point PUBG was reached at over 3 million concurrent players on Steam setting a platform record at that time.

3. High Risk High Reward Gameplay

Most shooters allow respawns but PUBG didn’t.

If you died early then that was it.

This created:

• Adrenaline-driven gameplay
• Emotional investment in every match
• Genuine fear of making mistakes

Winning a PUBG match felt rare and because it was rare so it felt valuable.

This design decision have changed multiplayer psychology.

PUBG’s Industry Impact

Once PUBG proved battle royale can attract millions of player then whole gaming industry reacted to it immediately.

Major studios started to adapt this formula. Some of them are

Fortnite

Originally planned as a co-op survival game but Fortnite pivoted to battle royale mode after PUBG’s massive success. It added:

• Building mechanics
• Cartoon visuals
• Faster pacing

Fortnite made it’s battle royale more accessible.

Apex Legends

Respawn Entertainment introduced:

• Hero abilities
• Squad-based synergy
• Advanced movement

Apex refined that formula for competitive depth.

Call of Duty: Warzone

Warzone integrated battle royale into an already established franchise by adding:

• Gulag respawn system
• Loadout customization
• Large-scale warfare feel

Within 3 years battle royale became a permanent pillar of multiplayer gaming.

And that wave started because PUBG proved this model will work.

PUBG Mobile Changed Everything (Especially in India)

In 2018 PUBG Mobile was launched and it was the real turning point for it.

Because smartphones made battle royale accessible to millions who didn’t own gaming PCs or consoles.

In India especially:

• Affordable Android devices
• Cheap mobile data
• Social squad gameplay

PUBG Mobile became more than a game and became a cultural phenomenon.

Local tournaments exploded. Streamers gained massive followings. Gaming cafés were replaced by mobile squads which were playing together at home.

For many Indian players PUBG Mobile was their introduction to serious multiplayer gaming.

The Psychology Behind PUBG’s Success

PUBG wasn’t just popular because of mechanics but because It tapped into deep psychological triggers.

1. Scarcity of Victory

Out of 100 players only 1 will wins.

This 1% success rate makes victory a lot more meaningful are rare.

And when something is rare then brain values it more then easily available.

2. Random Loot = Unpredictability

Every match is different.

• Different weapons
• Different circle locations
• Different player behavior

Uncertainty increases engagement and you will never know how a match will unfold.

3. Shrinking Safe Zone = Forced Confrontation

Blue zone eliminates passive play. Even defensive players are eventually forced into conflict.

So This guarantees dramatic endings of almost every match.

4. Social Survival Experience

Squad mode strengthened friendships:

• Coordinated attacks
• Revives under pressure
• Shared victories

This cooperative survival loop increased retention dramatically because anything playing together have an emotion.

PUBG: Battlegrounds Key Stats

• Released: 2017
• Developer: PUBG Studios
• Peak concurrent Steam players: 3+ million
• Mobile downloads: Hundreds of millions worldwide
• Genre impact: Sparked global battle royale expansion

Very few games in history have influenced industry trends so quickly.

Did PUBG Invent Battle Royale?

Technically, no.

This idea was inspired by earlier survival mods and even older concepts from survival fiction. However PUBG:

• Polished this formula
• Proved its commercial viability
• Scaled it globally
• Turned it into a mainstream genre

That’s what matters.

It didn’t invent spark but it built the fire.

Is PUBG Still Relevant in 2026?

Now competition is much more stronger.

Graphics have improved. Mechanics have evolved. New battle royale games offer faster pacing and flashier features.

However:

• PUBG still has a large loyal player base
• It maintains a more tactical and realistic identity
• Esports events continue
• The core survival tension remains unmatched

For players who prefer realism over arcade style PUBG still delivers a unique experience for them.

The Bigger Legacy

Today battle royale is no longer a trend. It’s now a permanent genre.

Without PUBG:

• Fortnite may never have pivoted
• Warzone may not exist
• Apex Legends may have launched differently
• Mobile esports in India might have grown slower

PUBG reshaped:

• Multiplayer game design
• Monetization strategies
• Streaming culture
• Mobile gaming growth

That’s not just success that’s industry transformation.

Battle Royale Evolution – Feature Comparison Infographic

🏆 Core Identity Comparison

⚔ Gameplay Depth Breakdown

📱 Mobile & Global Impact

Final Thoughts

PUBG didn’t just launch in 2017 but It also have redefined multiplayer gaming.

It showed that:

• High tension works
• Risk makes victory meaningful
• Survival creates emotional investment
• 100-player chaos can become global entertainment

Even if newer games dominate headlines today but every modern battle royale owes something to PUBG.

And that’s why its impact on gaming history can never be ignored.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)