PUBG is slowly figuring out how to become a successful esport

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and Fortnite may be popular with players, but game companies aren’t sure they’re “esports ready” yet

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PUBG is slowly figuring out how to become a successful esport

Published: 8:43pm, 26 Jul 2018Updated: 8:33am, 20 Sep 2019

This article originally appeared on ABACUS

Hundreds of fans swarmed into the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany on Wednesday night, ready to witness some last-man-standing action at the PUBG Global Invitational (PGI) Berlin.

This is PUBG Corp’s first ever official tournament. And for five days, 20 top professional teams from around the world are competing for US$2 million in prizes, as well as the honor of being the ones to win the first official PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds world title.

I have to admit, that circular stage is pretty cool looking. (Picture: PUBG Corp)

Gazing around the arena, it looks on par with the major esports tournaments taking place every year. From the cool, circular player platform in the center, to the meticulous analysis and casting by the PGI crew, it’s easy to feel the excitement around the event.

But even while casters shout out play-by-plays, and crowds scream as their favorite teams go down one by one… PlayerUnknown himself says his game isn’t quite ready for esports yet.

You’re probably thinking: Hang on, what? PUBG esports teams have been competing in tournaments around the world for the past year, and it’s playing out in the arena in front of our very eyes right now. How is the game not esports ready?