PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds’ mobile version is now available in the U.S. on both Android and iOS, via Google Play and the App Store, respectively.
Following last week’s soft launch on the Canadian Google Play Store, Tencent’s PUBG Mobile will recreate the 100-player battle-royale experience already available for Windows PC and Xbox One. The App Store description says the game “perfectly recreates” the PC version, and includes voice chat for squad communication. Additional mobile optimizations include the option to auto-pick up items, aim assist and a variety of on-screen controls, including steering and pedals for driving.
PUBG Mobile requires iOS 9.0 or later, and supports iPhones as far back as the iPhone 5S (though an iPhone 6 is recommended). This gives the game an advantage over battle royale competitor Fortnite: Battle Royale, which launched on iOS last Wednesday in preview form, as that only supports iPhone 6S and newer. The Android version supports more than 500 different Android devices, according to the Google Play listing, which recommends using a device running Android 5.1.1 Lollipop or later with at least 2 GB RAM.
PUBG Mobile is available for free, and the game is rated 17-plus. It’s a 892.7 MB download on iOS. Check out a gallery of screenshots, taken on an iPhone 8 Plus, below.
Update: PUBG Mobile is now available in the U.S. on Android as well. We’ve edited the article to reflect this.
The massively popular PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds is now available on mobile. Following a round of beta tests in Canada, PUBG Corp. has rolled out the mobile version of PUBG in "many" regions around the world, including the US.
Described as a "faithful adaptation" of the PC game, PUBG Mobile features the same last-man-standing gameplay experience that helped propel the title to become the third best-selling game in Steam history. Like the PC and Xbox One versions, PUBG Mobile pits 100 players against each other on an increasingly shrinking map, with the object being to outlast all the other players.
The mobile version of PUBG was developed in collaboration with mobile gaming giant Tencent. "We are working hard to create an authentic PUBG mobile experience that players new and old will love," said Chen Jerry, Tencent's Corporate Vice President. "A lot of [work] went into controls and optimization to give players a smooth and intuitive experience."
Unlike the just-released mobile version of Fortnite, which is currently only available to select iOS users who have signed up for the invite-only test, PUBG Mobile can be downloaded for free on both iOS and Android devices from the App and Google Play stores. Those with iOS can grab the game here, while Android users can download it here.
PUBG Mobile arrives after receiving "large amounts of positive feedback" following Android and iOS beta tests in Canada last week, which took place on March 15 and 16, respectively. However, whereas the mobile edition of Fortnite features cross-play and cross-progression with other versions, PUBG Mobile doesn't appear to offer either.
This story has been updated.
After launching in China late last year, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds Mobile is finally coming to additional markets. This news comes just a few short days after developer Tencent Games began running a beta in Canada on March 15 , and I don't imagine anyone will be complaining about the rapid expansion.
Tencent and PUBG Corp. note that the game is "now available in many regions around the world" and that it'll be added to "more regions" later on.
We are very excited to launch PUBG Mobile on iOS and Android internationally. We are working hard to create an authentic PUBG mobile experience that players new and old will love. A lot of went into controls and optimization to give players a smooth and intuitive experience.
Lower graphics aside, PUBG Mobile has just about everything you've come to know and love from the PC and Xbox version of the game. You and 99 other players jump out of a plane, collect any loot you can find, and fight to be the last one standing to be the winner of a chicken dinner.
The game currently has a rating of 4.7 stars on the Play Store, with some of the highlights being the gameplay, graphics, and controls. I'm still holding out for Fortnite's Android release, but in the meantime, this does look like something that'll be holding my attention until then.
If you're a PUBG fan, are you excited for the release of its mobile port?
Download: PUBG Mobile (free)
