When Did PUBG Come Out ?

2026-01-29 17:36:18Games News

If you’re a fan of battle royale games, you’ve likely wondered: when did PUBG come out? PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) revolutionized the battle royale genre, introducing the iconic “100 players, one winner” formula that millions still enjoy today. Developed by PUBG Studios (formerly part of Bluehole, now owned by Krafton) and led by creative director Brendan Greene, PUBG didn’t launch as a fully polished game—instead, it evolved through early access, platform expansions, and constant updates. This 2026 guide breaks down PUBG’s complete release timeline, including early testing phases, official launches across PC, mobile, and consoles, and key milestones that shaped its success.

PUBG’s Early Development & Testing Phases (Before Official Launch)

Before PUBG’s official release, it went through several testing phases to refine its gameplay, fix bugs, and gather player feedback. These early stages laid the groundwork for its global success:

Initial Concept & Mod Roots (2015-2016): PUBG’s origins trace back to battle royale mods created by Brendan Greene (known as “PlayerUnknown”) for games like Arma 2, Arma 3, and H1Z1: King of the Kill. In 2016, Greene partnered with Bluehole to develop a standalone battle royale game, which would later become PUBG.
Alpha Testing (March 2017): The first closed alpha test launched in March 2017, limited to a small group of players. This phase focused on core mechanics—including parachuting, looting, and the shrinking playzone—and helped developers identify critical issues with gameplay balance and performance.
Steam Early Access (March 23, 2017): PUBG entered Steam Early Access on March 23, 2017, marking its first public release for PC players. Unlike a full launch, Early Access allowed the team to continue developing the game while players enjoyed a playable version. The Early Access build included the Erangel map (PUBG’s first map) and basic battle royale gameplay, with regular updates adding new features, weapons, and bug fixes.

Note: Many players confuse Steam Early Access with PUBG’s official release. Early Access was a paid preview phase, not the full launch—PUBG remained in Early Access for nearly 9 months before its official PC release.

When Did PUBG Officially Come Out? (PC & Global Launch Date)

After months of Early Access and player feedback, PUBG received its official full release for PC on December 20, 2017. This launch marked the end of the preview phase and introduced a polished version of the game, including:

Improved performance and optimization for PC.
The Sanhok map (PUBG’s second map, added during Early Access but refined for the official launch).
Balanced weapon mechanics and improved anti-cheat systems.
Official support for multiple languages, making the game accessible to a global audience.

By the time of its official PC launch, PUBG had already become a cultural phenomenon, with over 20 million copies sold on Steam and peak concurrent players exceeding 3 million. Its success was driven by its innovative battle royale formula, which combined realistic gunplay with tense, unpredictable matches.

PUBG Release Dates Across Platforms (Mobile, Consoles)

PUBG’s official release wasn’t limited to PC—over the following years, it expanded to mobile and console platforms, each with its own launch date. Here’s a breakdown of when PUBG came out on other devices:

1. PUBG Mobile Release Date

Developed in partnership with Tencent Games, PUBG Mobile (the mobile adaptation of PUBG) launched in two phases:

Canada Beta Test (January 15, 2018): A closed beta test launched in Canada for iOS and Android devices, allowing players to test the mobile port’s gameplay and controls.
Global Launch (March 20, 2018): PUBG Mobile officially launched globally on March 20, 2018, for iOS and Android. It quickly became one of the most downloaded mobile games of all time, with over 1.8 billion downloads by April 2025. The mobile version retained the core PUBG gameplay while adapting controls for touchscreens and adding mobile-exclusive features.

2. Console Release Dates (Xbox, PlayStation)

PUBG expanded to consoles shortly after its PC launch, bringing the battle royale experience to Xbox and PlayStation players:

Xbox One (September 4, 2018): PUBG launched on Xbox One via the Xbox Game Preview program (similar to Steam Early Access) in December 2017, with its official release on September 4, 2018. It was published by Xbox Game Studios for the Xbox platform.
PlayStation 4 (December 7, 2018): PUBG officially launched on PlayStation 4 on December 7, 2018, published directly by Krafton. The PS4 version included all maps and features available on PC and Xbox One at the time.
Next-Gen Consoles (2020-2021): PUBG was later optimized for Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5, offering improved graphics, faster load times, and higher frame rates, though it did not have a separate “launch date” for these platforms.

3. Other Platforms

PUBG also launched on Google Stadia (cloud gaming platform) on April 28, 2020, allowing players to stream the game on various devices without high-end hardware.

Key Milestones After PUBG’s Release (2018-2026)

Since its 2017 official launch, PUBG has continued to evolve, with major updates, new maps, and global events. Here are some notable milestones that followed its release:

2018: Launch of PUBG Mobile and console versions; introduction of the Miramar map.
2020: PUBG becomes free-to-play on PC and consoles (previously paid); launch of the Karakin map.
2025: PUBG Mobile surpasses 1.8 billion global downloads; continued updates to core gameplay and anti-cheat systems.
2026: Launch of the “Erangel Zero Project” on January 7, 2026, bringing a major visual update to PUBG’s original map;线下 events in Shenzhen, China, on January 24-25, 2026, celebrating the game’s ongoing popularity.

FAQs About PUBG’s Release Date

Here are answers to common questions about when PUBG came out and its release timeline:

Q: When did PUBG first come out in Early Access? A: PUBG launched on Steam Early Access on March 23, 2017, for PC.
Q: Is PUBG’s official release date the same as its Early Access date? A: No—Early Access was a preview phase. PUBG’s official full release was on December 20, 2017, for PC.
Q: When did PUBG Mobile come out globally? A: PUBG Mobile officially launched worldwide on March 20, 2018, for iOS and Android.
Q: Did PUBG launch on PlayStation and Xbox at the same time? A: No—PUBG launched on Xbox One officially on September 4, 2018, and on PlayStation 4 on December 7, 2018.
Q: When did PUBG become free-to-play? A: PUBG transitioned from a paid game to free-to-play on January 12, 2022, for PC and consoles.

Final Thoughts

PUBG’s release timeline is a story of evolution—from a mod concept to an Early Access hit, and finally to a global phenomenon available on every major platform. While its official PC launch was on December 20, 2017, its journey began years earlier with Brendan Greene’s battle royale mods. Today, over a decade after its initial concept, PUBG remains one of the most popular battle royale games in the world, with regular updates, global events, and a dedicated player base. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a new player curious about its origins, knowing when PUBG came out helps you appreciate its impact on the gaming industry.

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