December 20th, 2023. Despite the cold weather, students are lined up in front of the Student Union Building of Ewha Womans University. The reason why such a large crowd gathered is the trucks loaded with 300 chicken dinners rewarded to the ‘school with the most matches played’ of the ‘School Battle Royal’ event.
‘School Battle Royal’, held by PUBG MOBILE from November 28th to December 17th, is a school championship for users in middle schools, high schools, and universities to represent their school and compete. KRAFTON organized this event so that students could enjoy playing PUBG MOBILE together and have a healthy gaming culture experience. We met with three students who are avid players of the game. And we asked what PUBG MOBILE meant to them.
Nice to meet you! Can you briefly introduce yourself?
Jihoo Lee: Hello. I’m Jihoo Lee, a 20-year-old student of computer engineering at Ewha Womans University.
Hwayeon: Hi. I’m 21 and I study Korean language and literature at Ewha Womans University. Please call me ‘Hwayeon.’
Kanghee Lee: Hello. I’m also a computer engineering major, my name is Kanghee Lee. This is my fourth year at Ewha.
So, was there a special reason that made you participate in the School Battle Royal?
Jihoo Lee: I saw the event notice through an app called ‘Everytime.’ I had played PUBG MOBILE before, so it wasn’t hard at all to get myself to participate (laughs).
Hwayeon: ‘Mafia42’ once held a school competition before too. Back then our school came in second. Personally, I was very sorry to hear that (laugh). This time I was determined to see our school get to the first place. Let’s show the world the power of Ewha! I thought. That was how I joined. I also heard about the event through the ‘Everytime’ app.
Kanghee Lee: I’ve been playing this game for three years. One of my classmates told me about the ‘School Battle Royal’ and asked to participate in the competition with her. An open chat got created. We cheered each other on, vowing to have a chicken dinner. I was already enjoying the game so I had no reason to not join.
When did you start playing PUBG MOBILE? We’d like to know when you first came across the game and your tier.
Jihoo Lee: I started playing when PUBG MOBILE first launched in 2018! I was a middle schooler at the time. I started playing after a friend’s recommendation. That friend is taking a break, but I’m not (laughs). My tier is diamond!
Hwayeon: I started playing six months ago. A close friend asked me to play with her. I had some doubts going in, but it was more fun than expected. So I kept playing. I’m also a diamond tier.
Kanghee Lee: I think I’ve played for three and a half years. I started around 2020. I didn’t get into it through a recommendation though. My university entrance exams were over and I couldn’t go out because of COVID. I downloaded the game accidentally, and I immediately became immersed. I liked the fact that I could play with my friends online and communicate at the same time. I will keep my tier secret (laughs).
You’re an avid player, Jihoo; you’ve been playing for a long time. Where, in your opinion, lies the entertainment value of PUBG MOBILE?
Jihoo Lee: I enjoyed the voice chat function, which enabled me and my friends to chat while playing. The fact that various strategies can be used to be the last man standing was also intriguing to me. Shooting a gun well wasn’t everything (laughs).
Hwayeon: The same goes for me. Because it’s a game played by many, it allows the player to meet and voice chat with people from all walks of life and communicate anytime, anywhere.
Kanghee Lee: Yeah. I especially like the real-time communication when playing as a squad.
How do you think the Ewha Womans University became the school that played the most matches?
Jihoo Lee: Could it be because I spread the word about it? (Laughs). I did tell many of my friends about the event because I thought it would make good memories if we played together. I think the news may have taken on a life of its own from there.
Hwayeon: Ewha students are passionate in everything. (Laughs). I believe the power of our unity was shown in this event.
Kanghee Lee: I think the school open chat played a pivotal role. A little over a hundred people were in that chat. Between 10 and 11 pm, people would ask, ‘Would anyone like to play now?’ fostering a fun atmosphere. If I had free time I’d think to myself ‘Maybe just one game?’ and start playing… Then that one game turned into hours… That’s what ends up happening (laughs).
Were there any anecdotes regarding the School Battle Royal?
Hwayeon: I remember our school ranked somewhere in the twenties at the beginning of the event. Our rank was pretty low. I remember talking with my family, saying: “There’s this event and my school currently ranks twentieth.” But I declared that I would raise our rank to the first place (laughs). My family was amused. I played with great determination afterwards. Today I told my mom that our school won the first place. I said I’m going to get the chicken dinner! My mom laughed heartfully. It’s going to be a great memory for my family.
What’s your favorite game?
Hwayeon: Honestly, PUBG MOBILE is my go-to game. For PC games, I enjoy peaceful games like ‘The Sims.’
Kanghee Lee: PUBG MOBILE is my favorite too. For real (laughs). For PC games, I enjoy ‘Overwatch’ too. Is it okay to say that? (Laughs).
Are there any memorable game modes or collaborations? Or any events you look forward to?
Jihoo Lee: For me, it’s the ‘Gear Arena Mode’ I played five years ago. It was three vs. three riding in cars, and the cars blew up so I remember it being very bombastic and fun. Regarding collaborations, the new ‘lion mask’ vehicle was so much fun. The music was my jam (laughs).
Hwayeon: The lunar new year is coming up soon, so I hope there’s a new hanbok skin.
Kanghee Lee: I think it would be fun if there’s a new Quick Voice event!
*Quick Voice is a voice chatting service offered by PUBG MOBILE where players can chat using the voices of actors, singers, voice actors, celebrities, etc.
A word to those who have never played PUBG MOBILE?
Jihoo Lee: I think it’s a great game to unwind and decompress. There are various events for users to try, so I recommend it to anyone who still hasn’t played! Cheers for PUBG MOBILE!
Hwayeon: Since it’s a game that requires gun shooting and combat, my girl friends tell me ‘I can’t play this kind of game!’ or ‘It looks too difficult.’ I did the same. But playing with other people and raising your tier, you’ll find it’s not that difficult. The game matches you up with someone with a similar tier anyway (laughs). So I hope you can enjoy the game without worrying.
Kanghee Lee: I think you’re missing out on 20% of enjoyment in life if you don’t try it (laughs). I hope you will play and enjoy life to its fullest!
