The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Tue, August 16, 2022 | 21:57
Companies
'Battlegrounds' losing gamers to rivals
Posted : 2018-07-17 17:33
Updated : 2018-07-17 21:06
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
U.S.-based Riot Games' 'League of Legends' has reclaimed the top spot of Korean internet cafes, beating 'PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds' developed by Korean game developer PUBG.
U.S.-based Riot Games' "League of Legends" has reclaimed the top spot of Korean internet cafes, beating "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds" developed by Korean game developer PUBG.

By Jun Ji-hye

"PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds" developed by Korean game developer PUBG has lost the No.1 spot at PC cafes here to "League of Legends" developed by the U.S.-based game company Riot Games.

The Korean game, which was a great hit on the global market after its release in March last year, yielded the top position for the first time since it took first place beating the then No.1 game, "League of Legends," on Nov. 16.

Market observers say "Battlegrounds" seems to be moving downward amid growing complaints by users over the instability of servers and recent updates which fell below expectations.

According to game data provider Gametrics, "League of Legends" internet cafe share was 27.12 percent last week, 18.58 percent up from the week before.

"Battlegrounds," a survivor shooter game reminiscent of the Japanese film "Battle Royale," took a 26.48 percent share at PC cafes, up by only 1.91 percent from the previous week.

The decline in popularity of "Battlegrounds" was prominent compared to growth trends of other games in the upper ranks at a time when more students are visiting PC rooms with the beginning of their summer vacation.

"Overwatch" which took third place with an 8.81 percent share saw a move up of 53.42 percent from the week before, while "MapleStory" with a 7.81 percent share saw a 44.66 percent improvement from the previous week.

Because Korean gamers usually play computer games in PC rooms nationwide, internet cafe share is widely used as an indicator of the games' popularity.

"Battlegrounds" has recently provoked complaints of users due to unstable servers.

On July 5, PUBG, a subsidiary of Bluehole, carried out server checking to resolve instability but the problem repeated only two days later.

Bluehole holds a 100 percent stake in PUBG.

PUBG has also become the subject of criticism after releasing a game item with an image of the Rising Sun Flag of the Japanese imperial military on it in the mobile version of the firm's mega-hit computer game.

On July 14, the firm released a pilot helmet whose design resembled the Rising Sun Flag, raising the eyebrows of many Korean gamers who regard the flag as the symbol of Japan's imperialism and invasion of foreign countries, including Korea, during World War II.

Amid mounting controversy, PUBG checked the item with Tencent's Lightspeed & Quantum Studios that co-developed the mobile version of the game, and eventually removed the item from the in-game shop hours after its release.

"We apologize for causing concerns over a pilot mask item," the firm said in a written apology uploaded on its official online fan cafe, saying it is collecting the items that were already sold and compensating users.

Some observers say falling popularity of "Battlegrounds" in PC rooms may be the results of diversification of game publishing platforms.

Since "Battlegrounds," was released in March last year on Steam, the world's largest online game store platform, the game company has expanded the game platforms to mobile phones and console devices.


Emailjjh@ktimes.com Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
LG
  • Hyundai Motor Group becomes world's No. 3 automaker in sales volume
  • Thinking the unthinkable on North Korea
  • 'Japan is our partner': Yoon vows to improve Seoul-Tokyo ties
  • 'Missing Here' song bridges Israel, Korea
  • Consumers angered by luxury fashion platforms' return policies
  • [Analysis] Yoon faces uphill battle to regain public trust
  • Life of early 'Koryoin' featured in exhibition
  • Customs agency considers taxing intermediaries for brokered overseas purchases
  • Western, traditional Korean medicine doctors clash over terminology
  • Will Hyundai Motor Group reorganize Mobis for governance reform?
  • Interactive News
  • With tough love,
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • A tale of natural wine
    • Girls' Generation music video director apologizes for copying design Girls' Generation music video director apologizes for copying design
    • Star directors' new series to A-listers' small screen comeback expected in coming weeks Star directors' new series to A-listers' small screen comeback expected in coming weeks
    • NewJeans sets record with debut album NewJeans sets record with debut album
    • 2PM's Lee Jun-ho proves versatility at 'Before Midnight' concert 2PM's Lee Jun-ho proves versatility at 'Before Midnight' concert
    • 'Confidential Assignment 2' has even more action, humor 'Confidential Assignment 2' has even more action, humor
    DARKROOM
    • Ice is melting, land is burning

      Ice is melting, land is burning

    • Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

      Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

    • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

      Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

      Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

      Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    The Korea Times
    CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
    Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
    Tel : 02-724-2114
    Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
    Date of registration : 2020.02.05
    Masthead : The Korea Times
    Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
    • About Us
    • Introduction
    • History
    • Location
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Products & Service
    • Subscribe
    • E-paper
    • Mobile Service
    • RSS Service
    • Content Sales
    • Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
    • 고충처리인
    • Youth Protection Policy
    • Code of Ethics
    • Copyright Policy
    • Family Site
    • Hankook Ilbo
    • Dongwha Group