PUBG Corp. has announced it has devised a five-year plan for its popular Battle Royale title, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG).
PUBG Corp. revealed this initiative at a media conference ahead of its very first (and the biggest ever) PUBG tournament: the PUBG Global Invitational.
Starting in 2019, the plan is to introduce Pro Leagues in Europe, North America, Korea, and China initially, with the potential to expand into other regions starting from 2020. There aren’t too many details regarding these leagues as of yet, but PUBG Corp. will also be implementing a revenue-sharing system where team-based in-game items are sold and the profits are split.
Male and female players won’t be forced to play in different leagues, meaning – hypothetically – there are more opportunities for women to get involved within PUBG esports. While many people may greet this news with a sigh or eye-roll, Rainbow Six Siege has a female player – Lauren “Goddess” Williams – playing for Cloud9 in the North American Pro League. PUBG Corp. will be hoping to replicate such inclusion with its own Pro League, no doubt.
It was said that the developer isn’t aiming to create a franchised system for its leagues, instead hoping to use an open format that allows for smaller, less-funded organisations to potentially get involved. It was also mentioned that the spectating experience – an often-criticised element of all Battle Royale titles – will be supplemented with individual team streams during matches. The user interface will receive some attention in aim of making it simpler to navigate, too.
Esports Insider says: If you’re thinking these plans sound similar to what’s currently running in Rainbow Six Siege, then you’re not wrong: Pro Leagues in different regions with a revenue-sharing initiative which lead to Major tournaments. Nonetheless, it’s great to see PUBG Corp. truly committing to esports with long-term plans.