How Much Money Has PUBG Made? A Revenue Breakdown

I never thought a single game could reshape an entire industry until I witnessed PUBG’s explosive rise. Watching PUBG grow from a niche title to a $13 billion empire blew my mind and I had to dig deeper.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve always been fascinated by the meteoric rise of PUBG, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. What started as a modest multiplayer battle royale has transformed into a global gaming powerhouse. From its early access days to dominating app stores worldwide, PUBG didn’t just launch a trend; it redefined the battle royale genre and set a new standard for online multiplayer games.

It’s incredible to think that a concept once considered niche could explode into a worldwide sensation. PUBG didn’t just capture millions of players; it changed how shooting games are developed, distributed, and monetized. And the numbers speak for themselves: PUBG has generated over billions in lifetime revenue as of 2024, according to Sensor Tower, cementing its place among the top-grossing games of all time.

In this blog, I’ll take you on a deep dive into how much money has PUBG Made, unpacking how it scaled, the massive role mobile gaming played, and how modern game development has shaped the ecosystem around its success.

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PUBG’s Financial Milestones

PUBG’s journey from a paid PC game to a mobile powerhouse wasn’t just about gameplay; it was a business masterstroke.

Initial Release and Revenue Surge

PUBG’s journey began in March 2017 when Brendan Greene, also known as PlayerUnknown, introduced the game in its early access phase. The unique battle royale concept set PUBG apart from other multiplayer games, focusing on survival and last-man-standing combat. Players quickly embraced its competitive and thrilling gameplay.

By the end of 2017, PUBG had sold over 30 million copies across PC and Xbox, earning over $900 million from sales alone. This was a remarkable achievement for a game that had not even been fully released yet. The early success of PUBG was a sign of things to come.

However, the real game-changer came in 2018 when PUBG transitioned to a free-to-play model. This shift allowed a broader audience to access the game, resulting in a massive influx of new players. Revenue from in-game purchases such as skins, crates, and cosmetic items skyrocketed, further fueling PUBG’s financial rise.

Transition to Free-to-Play and Mobile

The decision to go free-to-play was a strategic move that opened up new markets for PUBG. The mobile version, PUBG Mobile, took this success to a whole new level. Released in 2018, PUBG Mobile quickly became one of the most popular mobile games globally, gaining millions of players across both iOS and Android platforms.

By the end of 2020, PUBG Mobile had broken records with monthly earnings of over $270 million, making it one of the top-grossing mobile games of all time. This success wasn’t just about downloads; it was about how well the game monetized through microtransactions and seasonal content.

PUBG Revenue at a Glance

Here’s a quick look at how PUBG turned battleground wins into billion-dollar milestones over the years. 

Year	Platform	Estimated Revenue	Key Highlights
2017	PC & Console	$900 million	Over 30M copies sold before full release
2018	Mobile Launch	$600 million	PUBG Mobile released, rapid global adoption
2019	PC, Console, Mobile	$1.5 billion	Growth in mobile market, rise of in-game purchases
2020	Mobile	$2.6 billion	PUBG Mobile earns $270M/month at peak
2021	Global (All)	$2.2 billion	PUBG Mobile crosses $9B total; Game for Peace gains traction
2022	Mobile	$1.8 billion	Total mobile revenue surpasses $8B (Sensor Tower)
2023	Global (All)	$1.5 billion (est.)	Seasonal events and esports drive engagement
2024	Lifetime Total	$17+ billion	Includes PC, Console, PUBG Mobile, and Game for Peace

PUBG Mobile’s Phenomenal Success

When people ask how much money has PUBG made, the mobile version deserves most of the credit. PUBG Mobile didn’t just follow the original’s success. However, it multiplied it, dominating global charts and wallets alike.

Record-Breaking Earnings

PUBG Mobile’s transformation from an app to a multi-billion-dollar empire is nothing short of extraordinary. By 2021, the game had accumulated over $9 billion in total revenue. In China, where it was rebranded as Game For Peace, the game alone surpassed $2 billion in earnings.

According to Sensor Tower, PUBG Mobile had surpassed $8 billion in total revenue by May 2022 and recorded over 1 billion downloads globally. With consistent seasonal updates, esports events like the PUBG Mobile Global Championship, and collaborations with major brands, the game kept players engaged and spending.

Monetization Strategies

PUBG Mobile’s primary source of revenue comes from in-game purchases, cosmetic skins, outfits, crates, and emotes. The introduction of a battle pass system, similar to other free-to-play hits, proved to be a massive income stream. By completing missions, players could unlock premium content and exclusives each season.

Special events and branded collaborations also played a significant role in driving revenue. Limited-time modes, seasonal promotions, and crossovers kept the game feeling fresh and offered players unique items that encouraged ongoing purchases.

Read More: Monetization Strategies for Player-vs-Player Games

PUBG’s Parent Company: Krafton’s Financial Growth

When exploring how much money has PUBG made, it’s impossible to ignore the impact on Krafton’s bottom line. PUBG’s financial success has been a game-changer for its parent company, fueling massive growth and global expansion.

Krafton’s Total Revenue

The massive success of PUBG had a profound impact on Krafton, the South Korean gaming company behind the title. In 2021 alone, Krafton reported total revenue of $1.6 billion, with PUBG and PUBG Mobile contributing the majority. As of 2024, PUBG has generated over $17 billion in lifetime revenue.

Although Krafton has since diversified with titles like Tera, The Callisto Protocol, and Elyon, PUBG remains its flagship product and financial backbone.

Revenue from Other Projects

While none of Krafton’s newer projects have matched PUBG’s success, they show the company’s ambitions to expand across genres. The Callisto Protocol, a survival horror title, generated buzz but fell short commercially. Still, Krafton continues to capitalize on PUBG’s earnings to fund innovation and global expansion in gaming.

Modern Game Development and the Rise of PUBG

When asking how much money has PUBG made, you also have to consider the tech that made it possible. Modern game development practices have laid the foundation for building massive, profitable games like PUBG.

Industry-Wide Impact

While Krafton and its internal studios developed PUBG, the game’s success has helped shape global trends in mobile game development. It inspired countless studios to build high-performance, scalable, multiplayer titles with similar mechanics and user engagement strategies.

Cubix’s Expertise in Building Action Games

Though Cubix was not involved in PUBG’s development, our company has demonstrated its capabilities through action-packed games like WAGMI Defense. WAGMI showcases real-time gameplay mechanics, fluid combat experiences, and server optimization techniques akin to what battle royale games require.

Our experience in creating games with large concurrent user bases, responsive environments, and cross-platform compatibility mirrors the core technical demands seen in titles like PUBG Mobile. Their development approach, focused on backend scalability and mobile responsiveness, reflects the broader advancement in the mobile gaming ecosystem.

“At Cubix, our focus is on real-time action, smooth performance, and scalable systems. WAGMI Defense is a strong example of that approach in action.”

– Fazal Hatat, Lead Game And App Developer at Cubix

By delivering high-quality action games for a mobile-first audience, our game development studio continues to influence how large-scale games are built for performance, engagement, and monetization.

Read More: The NFT Game Developer will Build WAGMI’s Mobile PVP Game

What’s Next for PUBG and Its Earnings?

After seeing how much money has PUBG made so far, the big question is, what’s next? With evolving trends and new opportunities, PUBG’s earning potential is far from reaching its final level.

Future Prospects and Game Updates

PUBG’s journey is far from over. The game continues to evolve with new maps, fresh game modes, and major collaborations that keep its content pipeline flowing. PUBG’s seasonal updates and in-game events help maintain an engaged player base across platforms.

Its footprint in esports is growing steadily, with the PUBG Global Championship drawing millions of viewers and creating new revenue streams through sponsorships and media rights.

Krafton’s Plans for Growth

Krafton has expressed its intention to explore new territories in gaming, but confirms that PUBG remains its core brand. By leveraging the game’s strong foundation, Krafton is well-positioned to experiment with spin-offs, extended universes, and new gameplay models, all while maintaining its leadership in the battle royale space.

Conclusion

PUBG’s financial trajectory is a masterclass in how great gameplay, smart monetization, and strategic platform expansion can result in record-breaking success. When people ask how much money has PUBG made, the answer: over $17 billion in total revenue, proves it’s one of the most lucrative video games in history.

And while Cubix did not contribute directly to PUBG, our role in shaping modern mobile gaming through projects like WAGMI Defense speaks volumes about where the industry is headed. If you want to build a game like PUBG? You can hire our skilled game developers today. We are setting new standards for real-time multiplayer experiences, helping fuel the next wave of mobile action games.

Whether you’re a gamer or a developer, PUBG’s journey offers insight into the explosive potential of today’s gaming economy and the exciting innovations that lie ahead.