Rumors are stirring that suggest PUBG will finally be making its way to the PlayStation 4. Up until now, PUBG has been exclusive to PC, Xbox and mobile, and PUBG Corp. has been very quiet about a potential PS4 release.
PUBG first launched on PC, and then the Xbox version followed as part of a console exclusivity deal. Slightly after that, a free to play mobile version hit the iOS and Google Play Store. Because of the exclusivity deal, nobody knew when or if PUBG would ever come to other consoles. It seemed likely, but no confirmations were ever handed out by PUBG Corp.
© PUBG Corp
This week, a Korean game rating board showcased a video game age rating for PUBG on PS4. This same rating board has been reliable in the past for spotting upcoming releases. For example, a Fortnite Nintendo Switch rating appeared a few months before it got a release. It would make sense that PUBG would finally make it to other consoles. Whilst Microsoft did team up with PUBG for a console exclusivity deal, we don’t think PUBG Corp. would have made a permanent exclusivity deal.
If PUBG does come to PS4, it would also make sense that the game would come to Nintendo Switch, helping it to compete with its biggest competitor, Fortnite. However, one thing still separates PUBG from Fortnite. The latter game is free on all platforms, whereas only the mobile version of PUBG is free – all other versions must be purchased.
No official confirmation has been made about PUBG going free to play, but it’s certainly possible. However, for now, PUBG will remain a paid game and we imagine the PS4 version will also have a price tag once it is released. Unlike the Xbox, the PS4 version of PUBG will need to be version 1.0 on launch. Sony does not have an early access program like Xbox does, and Sony has a stricter approval systems for developers interested in publishing their games on the PSN Store.
With all this in mind, we would expect the PS4 version to have all of the features that the current Xbox version has, minus the exclusive cosmetics. This would mean the three maps – Erangel, Miramar, and Sanhok, as well as all of the weapons and the War Mode game mode.
For now, neither PUBG Corp. or Sony has made any mention of PUBG since the rating board leak but we think it won’t be long before one of these companies speaks. If the timing were to mimic the Fortnite Nintendo Switch leak, we may be able to get our hands on a PS4 version of PUBG before the end of 2018.
What are your thoughts on this news? Are you happy to see PUBG coming to PS4? Do you think that it’s fair for console manufacturers to buy the rights to timed exclusivity, or should there be rules in place to make the console market more open for everybody involved?
Let us know your thoughts.
