KEY POINTS

  • "PUBG Mobile 1.0" comes as a massive update to the popular mobile battle royale shooter on September 8
  • The update will include tweaks on the game's graphics, gameplay and controls
  • PUBG Mobile and Tencent is also planning on a new eSports tournament
  • The "PUBG Mobile Global Championship" will start on November
  • The best players will compete for a prize pool worth $2 million 

Playerunknown's Battlegrounds, or more commonly known as “PUBG,” is living up to its reputation as one of mobile gaming's elite titles with an upcoming update that promises to bring tons of new features, tweaks and a multimillion esports tournament to boot.

With other mobile battle royale shooters such as “Call of Duty: Mobile,” “Fortnite” and “Garena Free Fire” steady on their heels, PUBG is still making a strong presence among the group with a steady flow of users. For a while, it has been regarded only as a “pre-release product,” but it will soon change after PUBG Corp and Tencent announced that a “new era” will arrive on September 8.

PUBG Mobile 1.0 will banner what Android Authority described as “substantial refinements” to the game's graphics, gameplay and in-game controls. In a nutshell, the update will feature improved effects, visual upgrades and a “multi-screen switching mode” where players can optimize their controls for better usage.

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) is a popular mobile game, but has been banned in several countries, and Pakistan is moving to join that list
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) is a popular mobile game, but has been banned in several countries, and Pakistan is moving to join that list AFP / BAY ISMOYO

“Particles, smoke, air blasts, muzzle flashes and the addition of scope interaction make every shot more realistic,” said the team in a press release, according to The Verge.

“1.0 New Era” will also bring to the table novel lighting tweaks and texture quality to bring “vegetation, sky and water to life” while at the same time giving a more realistic and high-quality feel.

Aside from the update, PUBG Mobile and Tencent is hoping to reinvent its esports facade with a unified tournament. The Verge said the group will being to host a “combined” World League and World Championship event called the “PUBG Mobile Global Championship” starting November.

The “Season Zero” event will gather the best gamers from the Americas, Europe, South and Southeast Asia, Middle East and China into one playing field and will battle each other for a jaw-dropping prize pool worth $2 million.

While organizers are eyeing for an in-person “Global Championship,” they have acknowledged the fact that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could prevent them from hosting such an event. They plan to have “Season Zero” to take place “across multiple studios,” but restrictions caused by the virus could easily make it a virtual event instead.

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