PUBG Was Amazing (and How it Got Bad)

Summary

This video essay explores the rise and fall of PUBG, examining how its original design was gradually eroded by the demands of a growing community and the pursuit of more content. While PUBG’s slow-paced, tactical gameplay initially captivated players, the shift towards fast-paced, action-driven mechanics in newer maps like Sanhok ultimately diluted its identity. The essay reflects on the game's inevitable decline due to its attempts to cater to casual players and content creators, contrasting it with the sustained evolution of games like Fortnite. Ultimately, PUBG’s death symbolizes the struggle of a game trying to evolve too much, too fast, and losing its essence.

Takeaways

• 😀 PUBG (PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds) is credited with starting the battle royale genre, influencing games like Fortnite.
• 😀 Unlike other fast-paced battle royales, PUBG is known for its slow, tense moments of gameplay, focused on stealth, paranoia, and strategic decision-making.
• 😀 The game's design emphasizes loud and terrifying gunfire, creating a tense atmosphere that heightens the stakes of each encounter.
• 😀 PUBG is compared to heterogeneous salsa, where each part of the game (traveling, looting, fighting) feels distinct, making every match feel like a unique narrative.
• 😀 PUBG’s original map, Erangel, was designed with 'hot spots' (like School) that fostered chaotic, high-risk action, contributing to the game's appeal for some but alienating others.
• 😀 The ‘School’ location in Erangel became a microcosm for the game's problem: it was too popular, leading to a split in the community between casual players and highly skilled players ('school bullies').
• 😀 As PUBG grew, it faced a problem with its skilled playerbase, which dominated matches, alienating casual players who found themselves overwhelmed.
• 😀 The introduction of new maps (Miramar and Sanhok) led to a shift in gameplay dynamics, with Sanhok in particular speeding up the game and making it more chaotic, further eroding the original design philosophy.
• 😀 PUBG’s development led to a phenomenon known as the ‘skill wall,’ where new and casual players were pushed out due to the increasingly competitive and punishing nature of the game.
• 😀 Despite various updates, changes, and new content, PUBG’s original charm faded, and the game is seen as a shadow of its former self, with a community that has become too specialized and fragmented.

Q & A

What was the initial appeal of PUBG as a battle royale game?

PUBG’s initial appeal stemmed from its slower, methodical gameplay that contrasted with the fast-paced action of other shooters. It emphasized tension, silence, and paranoia, which made moments of action highly impactful and rewarding.

How did the community’s perception of PUBG change as Fortnite rose in popularity?

As Fortnite overtook PUBG in popularity, the perception of PUBG shifted negatively. It became treated as a less exciting, outdated game, and the community's enthusiasm waned, particularly with PUBG’s slower pace and more tactical nature.

What is the significance of the 'School' location in PUBG's map design?

The School in PUBG became infamous for being a chaotic, action-packed hotspot that was both loved and despised. It encouraged aggressive, high-risk play, which contrasted sharply with PUBG’s overall slow, tactical design. It contributed to a division between casual and competitive players.

What are some of the key design philosophies that differentiated PUBG from other games?

PUBG's design emphasized slow-paced, methodical gameplay, with significant focus on tactical positioning, paranoia, and strategic decision-making. The game's map design and lack of consistent action gave it a unique, varied gameplay experience that contrasted with more fast-paced shooters.

How did streamers and YouTubers impact the community dynamics in PUBG?

Streamers and YouTubers heavily influenced PUBG's community by favoring aggressive, action-oriented gameplay, particularly around hot spots like School. Their content shaped the game's culture, with an emphasis on high kill counts and fast-paced action, which ultimately alienated casual players.

What role did PUBG's 'School bullies' play in the game's decline?

The 'School bullies' were highly skilled players who repeatedly dropped at the School location, creating an unbalanced experience for casual players. This led to a skill gap, with newcomers being repeatedly eliminated by more experienced players, contributing to a negative community atmosphere and the game's eventual decline.

What was the reaction to the release of the Miramar map, and why was it disliked?

The Miramar map was initially disliked because it offered longer-distance gameplay, slower action, and a more strategic approach, which contrasted with the fast-paced nature of popular hot spots like School. The map’s design also didn’t suit the preferences of streamers, who preferred quick, intense action.

How did the introduction of the Sanhok map further impact PUBG’s community and gameplay?

The Sanhok map introduced fast, close-quarters combat with multiple 'School-like' hot spots, which shifted the game's focus to constant action. While this design appealed to more competitive players, it alienated casual players and exacerbated the game's skill gap, leading to a less enjoyable experience for newcomers.

What is the 'skill wall' concept, and how did it affect PUBG?

The 'skill wall' refers to the point where the skill disparity between players becomes so large that casual players feel discouraged from playing. In PUBG, this was driven by aggressive, skilled players dominating the game, making it difficult for less experienced players to enjoy or improve.

Why does the creator of the video argue that PUBG was 'never made to be a forever game'?

The creator argues that PUBG was originally a unique, rough-around-the-edges experience designed to be finite and intense, rather than a perpetually evolving game like Fortnite. Attempts to 'smooth out' the game by adding new maps and mechanics ultimately undermined its original identity and contributed to its decline.