"Fortnite: Battle Royale's" player base inches closer to "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds'" (PUBG) numbers.
Bluehole, Inc., the developer of "PUBG," has expressed its displeasure with "Fortnite's" recently implemented "Battle Royale" mode, which presents players with a scenario similar and popularized by the former: 100 players try to kill each other to become the last man standing. Bluehole, Inc. fears that "Fortnite: Battle Royale" may be replicating the experience that "PUBG" is famous for, consequently affecting the popularity of the game.
Bluehole has stated that it may consider pursuing further action against Epic Games, developer of "Fortnite: Battle Royale." Bluehole, Inc. has also stated that "PUBG" was referenced during Epic Games' promotion of "Fortnite: Battle Royale," and that marketing move was never discussed with them.
Meanwhile, "Fortnite: Battle Royale" continues to rack up its player count for the free standalone mode. On Oct. 11, Epic Games thanked their players in celebration of "Fortnite: Battle Royale's" 10-million-player milestone, which it achieved just two weeks after its launch. Epic Games has claimed that it had 3.7 million players on Sunday, with a peak concurrent player base of 525,000, while "PUBG's" concurrent player base sits at 2 million players on Steam.
Still, the comparison is not precisely faultless, as "Fortnite: Battle Royale" is essentially free, while "PUBG" costs $30 to play. It is worth noting for comparison's sake that "PUBG" has sold at least 13 million copies. Business Insider has speculated that the total revenue "PUBG" has made could amount to $390 million due to the fame of the still unfinished game.
Still, the increasing popularity of the Battle Royale game mode and "Fortnite: Battle Royale" being free for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, could hinder the further growth and sales increase of "PUBG." Since Bluehole's statement for Epic Games, both developers have not commented yet on the ongoing issue regarding their early access games. More developments on the matter may arise shortly given the rate of "Fortnite: Battle Royale's" popularity.
"PUBG" is only available for PC at a price of $30 while "Fortnite: Battle Royale" is available for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Macintosh for free.
