Is PUBG: Battlegrounds Worth Playing in 2024?

Is PUBG: Battlegrounds Worth Playing in 2024?

Highlights

  • PUBG was a pioneer in battle royales, but faces competition from newer games.
  • In 2024, Fortnite dominates Twitch views, pushing PUBG into the background of the battle royale genre.
  • Despite its legacy, PUBG’s aging mechanics are overshadowed by newer titles, losing its competitive edge.

As someone who has been gaming since the days of Pong and Space Invaders, I’ve seen my fair share of trends come and go. But none quite like the battle royale craze that took over the world with games like PUBG: Battlegrounds and Fortnite.


By August 2024, the gaming industry will be brimming with exciting new releases. A diverse range of games across all major genres and platforms have been building anticipation and drawing in players, often living up to the high-quality content promised during marketing. Notable titles such as “Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree“, “Dragon’s Dogma 2“, “Hades 2“, “Helldivers 2“, “Stellar Blade“, and “Tekken 8” have made their appearance, spanning from RPGs to shooters, puzzle games, and rogue-likes. The gaming landscape is ever-changing, and the audience’s focus is constantly shifting. However, among them all, “PUBG: Battlegrounds ” has proven its staying power over time.

Since March 2017, “PUBG: Battlegrounds” has been leading the pack among multiplayer online battle royale games, alongside its fierce rival “Fortnite”. Its distinct landscapes of open fields and rolling hills, the extensive array of customizable avatars and cosmetic items, and the vast arsenal of weapons have laid the foundation for many other battle royale titles. It has become a defining game in the genre and is often associated with sparking a significant increase in the popularity of the battle royale gaming genre. However, this doesn’t guarantee it will remain essential in a 2024 gaming collection.

PUBG Has Entered Grandfatherhood

The surge in PUBG’s popularity can be linked, to some extent, to the global COVID-19 pandemic that kept most of us indoors for much of 2020 and part of 2021. This period saw a significant increase in streaming views and longer gaming sessions, which led more people to multiplayer games that are straightforward, cost-effective, or even free. These games provided an opportunity to socialize with friends, whether they lived down the street or on the other side of the world.

Games such as PUBG, Fortnite, Among Us, Overwatch, and others gained popularity due to their ability to cultivate a thriving, healthily competitive community. In particular, Fortnite stood out from the crowd with its quirky elements, high-profile celebrity collaborations, and the fact that it attracted audiences of varying age groups, ultimately dominating the spotlight. While PUBG did have some crossovers, Fortnite was more successful in this regard.

Fortnite – Twitch Watched Hours (30d) PUBG – Twitch Watched Hours (30d)
41,503,975 8,393,561

Statistics sourced from Activeplayer.io on 08/13/2024

Back in the day, it was reasonable to say that Fortnite outperformed PUBG in the battle royale genre. Regardless of whether that was true or not, we’re no longer in 2020 and numerous outstanding games have since emerged, stealing the spotlight. As of August 6, Fortnite ranks as the fourth most-watched game on Twitch, while PUBG lags behind at 59th. In between them are a multitude of games released in the past year alone – too many to mention here.

While this statistic doesn’t lessen PUBG’s achievements or detract from the immersive experience it offers to those seeking its classic gameplay, it’s clear that the game is now outdated compared to more recent releases. There are countless newer games on the market that boast improved mechanics and features, making them a better fit for the genre and leaving little room for PUBG in today’s gaming landscape.

PUBG: Battlegrounds, once a dominant force in the gaming world, is gradually losing its spotlight, much like how every popular thing eventually does. It’s now more of a nostalgic choice for those who yearn for something reminiscent of the past. While it hasn’t quite reached the level of being considered ‘nostalgic’ or ‘retro’, it’s certainly not as fresh and competitive as the latest multiplayer shooter games, including Fortnite. Ultimately, what truly matters is personal taste and enjoying one’s time playing any game.

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2024-08-16 13:04