Who Owns PUBG? Unpacking the Corporate Structure Behind the Battle Royale Giant

Introduction: A Global Phenomenon and a Common Question

Since its explosive launch, PUBG: Battlegrounds has redefined the battle royale genre, captivating millions across PC, console, and mobile platforms. Its immense popularity often leads to a common question among players and industry observers alike: Who owns PUBG? The answer, while seemingly straightforward, involves a dynamic corporate structure that spans development, publishing, and international partnerships. This guide will clarify the key players: Krafton, PUBG Studios, and Tencent.

The Short Answer: Krafton is the Parent Company

At its core, PUBG is owned by Krafton, Inc., a South Korean video game holding company. Krafton oversees the intellectual property (IP) and the various studios responsible for different iterations of the game.

Krafton: The Visionary Parent Company

Krafton is a collective of independent development studios based in South Korea, united under a common vision to create innovative and engaging gaming experiences. While famously known for PUBG, Krafton’s portfolio extends beyond the battle royale behemoth.

• Evolution: Originally founded as Bluehole, Inc. in 2007, the company rebranded as Krafton in 2018 to better reflect its structure as a holding company for multiple development teams, including PUBG Studios, Striking Distance Studios (known for The Callisto Protocol), and Unknown Worlds Entertainment (developers of Subnautica).
• Strategic Direction: As the parent company, Krafton holds the ultimate ownership of the PUBG IP, dictating its overall strategic direction, major franchise decisions, and expansion into new platforms or spin-off titles.

PUBG Studios: The Heart of PUBG: Battlegrounds Development

Within the Krafton ecosystem, PUBG Studios is the dedicated development arm specifically responsible for PUBG: Battlegrounds (the original PC and console versions).

• Core Development: This studio continuously develops and maintains the flagship PUBG: Battlegrounds title, delivering updates, new maps, game modes, and seasonal content. They are the guardians of the original battle royale experience that launched the phenomenon.
• Creator’s Legacy: The initial concept for PUBG was pioneered by Brendan Greene, famously known as “PlayerUnknown.” While Greene has since moved on to new ventures, the foundation he laid continues to be built upon by PUBG Studios under Krafton’s ownership.

Tencent’s Role: The Mobile Powerhouse Partnership

One of the biggest sources of confusion regarding PUBG’s ownership stems from the massive global success of PUBG Mobile. Here, Tencent, a Chinese multinational technology and entertainment conglomerate, plays a critical role.

• Development & Publishing Partnership: In a strategic partnership with Krafton (then Bluehole), Tencent’s subsidiary, Lightspeed & Quantum Studios, developed PUBG Mobile. Tencent also handles the publishing and operation of the game, particularly in China and for global markets.
• Investment: Tencent also holds a significant stake as an investor in Krafton itself. This partnership has been instrumental in PUBG Mobile‘s unprecedented reach and revenue generation, including the monetization of Unknown Cash (UC), which we discuss in our PUBG Gift Card Guide: Where to Buy and How to Redeem.
• Distinct Versions: It’s important to remember that while Tencent is a major force behind PUBG Mobile, the core PUBG: Battlegrounds IP remains firmly with Krafton. This dual structure allows for specialized development and localized market strategies.

PUBG’s Global Footprint: Beyond the Main Titles

The PUBG universe has expanded to include various titles, all tied back to Krafton’s ownership:

• PUBG: Battlegrounds: The flagship PC and console experience, developed by PUBG Studios (under Krafton).
• PUBG Mobile: The immensely popular mobile version, developed and published by Tencent’s Lightspeed & Quantum Studios in partnership with Krafton.
• PUBG: New State: A future-focused mobile battle royale game, developed by PUBG Studios (under Krafton) to offer a distinct, more futuristic experience from PUBG Mobile.
• PUBG Mobile Lite: A lighter version of PUBG Mobile designed for lower-end devices, also managed by the Tencent/Krafton partnership.

Why Does Ownership Matter?

Understanding who owns PUBG is more than just trivia; it has implications for the game’s future:

• Game Direction: Krafton, as the IP holder, ultimately steers the creative and strategic direction of the entire PUBG franchise.
• Updates and Content: The development studios (PUBG Studios, Lightspeed & Quantum) are responsible for delivering new content and maintaining the games.
• Monetization: Decisions regarding in-game purchases, PUBG UC pricing, and other monetization strategies are made by the respective publishers and IP holders.
• Cross-Play and Features: Ownership structures and partnerships can influence technical decisions like cross-platform capabilities and the implementation of features like controller support.

Conclusion: A Collaborative Ecosystem

In summary, Krafton, Inc. is the ultimate owner of the PUBG intellectual property. Within Krafton, PUBG Studios is the primary developer of PUBG: Battlegrounds. For the highly successful PUBG Mobile, Krafton partners with Tencent, who, through their Lightspeed & Quantum Studios, handle its development and global publishing. This collaborative ecosystem allows PUBG to thrive across diverse platforms and reach a massive global audience.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Q: When did PUBG come out? A: The original PUBG: Battlegrounds was first released for PC in March 2017 in early access.
• Q: What is PUBG? A: PUBG (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds) is a pioneering battle royale game where up to 100 players parachute onto an island, scavenge for weapons and gear, and fight to be the last person or team standing as the playable area shrinks.
• Q: What does PUBG stand for? A: PUBG stands for PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, named after its creator, Brendan Greene.
• Q: Is PUBG dead or is PUBG still popular? A: No, PUBG is far from dead. While its peak concurrent player numbers on PC have shifted, PUBG Mobile consistently maintains hundreds of millions of active players globally, making the franchise one of the most popular and actively played games worldwide.
• Q: Who created PUBG? A: Brendan Greene, also known as “PlayerUnknown,” is credited with the original concept and direction for PUBG: Battlegrounds.
• Q: How many people play PUBG? A: Exact real-time numbers fluctuate, but across all its versions (PC, Console, Mobile), PUBG continues to have hundreds of millions of active players globally, maintaining a massive user base.
• Q: Is PUBG on PS5? A: Yes, PUBG: Battlegrounds (the console version) is playable on PS5 via backward compatibility with the PS4 version, often with performance enhancements.