Why PUBG Mobile is Popular in India

Introduction

• Presenter: Blackstar
• Gameplay footage: PUBG
• Topic: Popularity of PUBG Mobile in India
• Inspired by a post in the Gamer Connect community

Overview of PUBG Mobile

• Launch Date: February 9, 2018
• Player Base: 400 million players reported by June 2019
• Daily Players: 50 million players
• Comparison with PUBG PC:
  • PUBG PC launched on March 23, 2017, with 50 million players in a year
  • PUBG Mobile gained 400 million players in the same time frame

Reasons for Popularity

1. Free to Play

   • No initial purchase required, making it accessible to all.
   • Limited in-game purchases are cosmetic, not affecting gameplay advantage.

2. Accessibility

   • Most people in India have smartphones, making it easier to play.
   • Gaming PCs are expensive, with high costs for parts compared to the West.
   • Financial dependency on parents often limits teens' ability to buy gaming rigs.

3. Smartphone Market

   • Expanding mid-range smartphone market in India.
   • Increased internet penetration due to affordable data plans (e.g., Jio).

4. Emulator Availability

   • Tencent released an official emulator, allowing PC gaming without high-end hardware.
   • Players with low-end hardware can access the game on a larger screen.

Streaming and Viewer Preferences

• Comparison with Apex Legends:

  • Apex Legends player count: 50 million as of March 2019, but not as popular in India.
  • PUBG Mobile has a larger player base, leading to more relatable content for viewers.

• Viewer Engagement:

  • Audiences prefer watching relatable content from games they play.
  • Competitive games (CS:GO, PUBG, Dota) have better viewer engagement due to familiarity.

• Streaming from Emulators:

  • Many streamers use emulators to play PUBG Mobile on PC for cost-effectiveness.
  • Capturing mobile gameplay requires expensive equipment (capture card).

Ethical Considerations

• Playing on emulators is not illegal but can be seen as unethical.
• The point raised about unequal competition between mobile and emulator players.

Conclusion

• Summary of reasons for PUBG Mobile's popularity in India.
• Encouragement to engage with the video: likes, dislikes, comments, and subscriptions.
• Thank you for watching.