EXCLUSIVE: PUBG Creator Brendan Greene is “Humbled” by Battle Royale Success

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Brendan Greene, founder of PLAYERUNKNOWN Productions, is widely recognized as the innovative mind and trailblazer behind the battle royale genre. In my opinion, this couldn’t be more accurate, as his vision to construct a colossal battleground where numerous competitors engage in fierce combat until a sole winner (or team) emerges, has forever transformed the gaming landscape. To this day, PUBG remains one of the most prominent battle royale games in 2025.

At the Gamescom 2025 event, I found myself in a striking encounter with Brendan, also known as PlayerUnknown. Let me tell you, it was quite an extraordinary experience. Over the years, I’ve spent countless hours playing Fortnite, Warzone, Apex Legends, and numerous other battle royale games. This genre continues to grow, and in 2025, Elden Ring Nightreign demonstrated how a well-established studio is ready to venture into unexplored territory, dipping its toes into new waters.

He’s gearing up for the launch of “Prologue: Go Wayback!” – a fresh survival game that has just entered open beta testing. In addition to discussing this exciting new venture, I couldn’t resist seizing the opportunity to learn about the roots of PUBG and battle royale from the pioneer of the genre himself.

In this paraphrase, I aimed to maintain the original meaning while making it more readable and natural for an English audience by using simpler language and a conversational tone.

“I Didn’t Even Intend to do it” on Battle Royale Creation

Initially, without beating around the bush, I was curious about the experience of inventing and making a prosperous genre valued at billions: dollars.

I simply aimed to create a game mode that I found appealing. It’s quite amazing and humbling to see it evolve into an entire genre.

Brendan shared that he’s astonished by the extent to which people adore and depend on this genre, and he’s surprised by how major corporations have incorporated this gaming mode into their operations.

“I love Battlefield, and I see Battlefield putting it in all these other games. It’s just amazing.”

He shared with me his joy about how battle royale has evolved beyond its casual origin, transitioning into an esports phenomenon with a competitive edge. This transformation was particularly evident during the COVID years, as shown by the World Series of Warzone tournaments. During these events, streamers and content creators competed for substantial prizes, attracting hundreds of thousands of viewers.

However, beyond the game itself, it’s the connections and profound effects that the Battle Royale phenomenon has fostered among players that truly stands out. When I inquired about what Brendan feels most accomplished about and what he enjoys seeing emerge from this innovative gaming approach, here are his thoughts:

In a recent conversation, I had the pleasure of speaking with Zach Nefine, a well-known streamer. During our chat, he shared his positive feedback about our game Prologue. Following our discussion, he mentioned a heartwarming story. He said, “To be honest, I didn’t expect to talk to you, but off the record, I have to tell you something. Through PUBG, I’ve reconnected with old friends from high school and now have a tight-knit group of around 20 friends.” This sentiment makes me particularly proud because stories like this, from people all over the world, remind me that through my work on Prologue, I’ve contributed to reuniting or helping individuals find new communities. This realization is both humbling and inspiring.

Today, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds continues to thrive, leaving Brendan likely ecstatic about the progression of battle royale games – a journey that led him here. However, his latest creation is Prologue, and the team at PlayerUnknown Productions are currently immersed in developing Prologue: Go Wayback!. You have an opportunity to be part of this fresh adventure with its open beta.

Could you share some of your most memorable moments from playing battle royale games? Do you think there are ways this genre could develop further to stay exciting and innovative? I’d love to hear your thoughts, and feel free to express them through the TopMob Forum.

Discover even more in-depth interviews on our Instagram platform. For instance, Randy Pitchford confessed his apprehension about the tougher aspects of Borderlands 4, while Techland shared that Dying Light: The Beast boasts an incredibly varied world.

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2025-08-26 16:48