Not just a game!

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) is the latest rage among the youth across the world. First introduced as a PC game, its mobile versions were introduced recently which has over 10 million downloads. The game had made over $ 1 billion in 2018.

The online battle royale game was developed by a company called Bluehole in South Korea. The game, originally developed under creative direction by Brendon Greene, became famous overnight. It is a game can be played in a group of four or two, or by a single player. In the game, 100 players land on an island to equip guns and armor to fight off the opponents completely of their tactics and ideas to become the last one standing. The available safe area on the map decreases over time.

Even if it is an interesting game, PUBG has faced widespread criticism and even faced bans. This game has side-effects, both mental and physical. This game is more addictive among teenagers. PUBG has been banned in some cities where anyone could report an instance of someone playing it and later may face prosecution under the Central Government Act of section 188.

However, for youngsters in India, the game is hugely popular. “It is a good game for time pass,” says PUBG player Abin S. Vithayathil, a degree student who has been playing it for around four months. He says that it is a stress reliever. “As it is an online game, we can connect with our distant friends and play together, and various stages of the game like getting Chicken Dinner (The winner is presented with it) shooting, killing, and hiding is really interesting,” he says.

Another degree student, Bhagyashree, says that PUBG is an interesting game as it changes every time it is played. She also admits that it has an addictive side and players face problems with their eyesight and health. “We should be able to manage time, as two or four matches of this game will surely waste 2- 3 hours, and PUBG is very much different from many similar games as it has more realistic features and graphics.”

Most of the parents, whose children play PUBG, say that their kids are not concentrating on their academics. The parents say that the kids stay away from socialising as most of their time is spent on the game

“I could hear my son saying, ‘Kill him! Kill him! Shoot! at late night,” a mother of two admits. “I am concerned about my  younger child as he is learning from his brother. He is now getting angry over small issues, she says.

PUBG is a normal game, if used accordingly, and could be a villain if gone out of control.

Children must take care of themselves and should not get attached to this game too much as it could even be a threat to their lives.