PUBG MOBILE GLOBAL CHAMPIONSHIP (PMGC) 2021, the supreme tournament of PUBG MOBILE global esports, kicked off in November 2021 and successfully came to an end in January 2022. DWG KIA took part in PMGC 2021 as the one and only Korean team and they got through the Grand Finals, winning the League EAST Finals. It was just a month after the team DWG KIA established. But unexpected crown from the League EAST Finals didn’t make DWG KIA players complacent. Instead, they showed the ambition to achieve even better results in upcoming competitions. Read onto the following KRAFTON blogpost to listen from FAVIAN and Ssung of DWG KIA about their stories as PUBG MOBILE Esports players.
Nice to meet you! Could you introduce yourself to our readers?
FAVIAN (F): Hi. I’m FAVIAN, the leader of DWG KIA PUBG MOBILE Esports team.
Ssung (S): Hi. I’m Ssung. I’m a supporter of DWG KIA PUBG MOBILE Esports team.
What are your roles in the team?
F: As the squad leader, my main role is to give directions orders to my squad. We have a “scout” who stands in the vanguard to collect more information on the battlegrounds, a “marksman” who is a designated to snipe at the enemies, and a “supporter” who backs up other squad members. I lead them to make our play in the most efficient way.
S: As the name indicates, a supporter secures the rear and adds more firepower when the squad needs it. I also check my team’s condition in detail and manage consumable items like first aid kits and ammunitions, helping my squad mates survive longer.
You won the League EAST Finals in PMGC 2021. Could you tell us in detail what happened?
F: We were on the second place right before the last match of the League EAST Finals. But at that moment we didn’t know by how many points we were behind the leading team. We just thought that we must do our best. Unfortunately, we ended up remaining on the second place in the last match as well, so I thought we failed to be the winner of the League EAST Finals. But suddenly we received a request message on Discord for the winner interview. Only then I realized we’ve won.
S: FAVIAN’s right. We honestly didn’t feel satisfied right after the last match. But after we heard that we had taken the first place later, we all were so excited, and we were hugging each other. The victory made us more delighted because we never expected it.
Not many people anticipated that DWG KIA would advance to the Grand Finals. Did you have any special determination before the League EAST Finals?
F: Our goal in PMGC 2021 was to reach the Grand Finals from the beginning. Since we’re a newborn team, we focused on getting as much experience as possible in this global competition rather than a dramatic result. I think our best effort into every match led to the great outcome.
What was your most impressive moment during the championship?
S: I can’t forget the last match in which I defeated two opponent players by myself alone to get the Winner Winner Chicken Dinner. It was my team’s score at stake. I was actually very nervous and worried that I might make a mistake. But my squad mates told me, “Don’t worry. Show yourself as you always do. Shoot with confidence.” It was very encouraging and helped me win the Chicken Dinner.
Only the world’s best players can compete in PMGC. Which team gave you the biggest impression?
S: NV was very impressing as they succeeded in defending its championship this time. And yes, there were many strong teams and competent players in PMGC. I could learn very much especially from the way NV played this time. They always stimulated my desire to win. I hope to defeat them someday.
What do you think is the difference between PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS and PUBG MOBILE?
S: Though the two titles are very different in many aspects, I think the biggest differences are in recoil control and character movements. PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS presents very realistic movements whereas in PUBG MOBILE I can control my character more instantly. In PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, high-magnification scopes allow me to see through long distances but in PUBG MOBILE it’s relatively more difficult to find opponents far away. You can find them only when you get closer to them. Therefore, I encounter more urgent situations in PUBG MOBILE, which makes me nervous every time I play.
Some claim PUBG MOBILE is easier to play than PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS. Do you agree?
F: Yes, I agree that PUBG MOBILE is easier than PUBG: BATTLGROUNS in general. But the two requires different ways of control. We can conduct complex movements using a keyboard and a mouse in PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, but we can’t in PUBG MOBILE. We can only use our fingers to control the game. Also, the way how control the character varies depending on the number of fingers we use. Therefore, we should find our own knowhow in finger control in PUBG MOBILE.
S: Those who haven’t played PUBG MOBILE for long might say it’s easier than PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS. Because it’s relatively easier for them to can get the Chicken Dinners, fighting against more bots. But, if their tiers get higher, they will find out it’s not easy anymore. As FAVIAN said, you should get your own knowhow and learn the properties of PUBG MOBILE.
What are your secrets to play PUBG MOBILE well? Do you have any special training routines?
F: Regular practice and constant communication within the squad are essential. Like PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, communication between team members is very crucial. To be the winner, four of the squad members should move like one player. At DWG KIA, we are about the same age, so we get along like friends. I think it has influenced on our performance because we never avoid communicating with each other.
S: Practice with diverse weapons is another good way to train yourself. You don’t know what kind of weapon you will use in every match. If you only prefer to specific weapons, you are limiting yourself. You will be able to improve your skills when you practice using all the weapons including the ones obtainable only from the air drops.
What are your favorite weapons?
F: I guess many PUBG MOBILE users share the same preference with me. I love to use UMP45, a submachine gun (SMG), for short-distance skirmishes, and M416, an assault rifle (AR), for middle-long distance combats. Those who play only PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS might think this is a strange combination of guns because UMP45 is usually not preferred. But in PUBG MOBILE, it’s almost irreplaceable in short-range skirmishes thanks to its light recoil which makes it very easy to control.
S: I also like UMP45 and M416. In PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, designated marksman rifles (DMR) and sniper rifles (SR) are widely used for middle-long range combats. But in PUBG MOBILE, many players attach a high-magnification scope to M416 for the same purpose. In this mobile environment, we have less options to deal with the recoil, I try to use guns with light recoil as the main weapon.
Besides the Battle Royale matches, do you also play different modes? Do the modes help improve skills?
F: I often enjoy the Team Gun Game mode. Various weapons are dropped every time I eliminate the enemies. It helps me make a better decision and get myself used to different feels of various weapons.
S: When I want to take some rest, I usually play Team Deathmatch. Unlike in the Battle Royale games, I can revive again and again, so it’s good for warm-ups. There are people who only play the Team Deathmatch games only. We also have such people at the DWG KIA company so I usually ask them to play along from time to time.
What made you be a PUBG MOBILE Esports pro player?
F: I didn’t intend to be a pro at first. I just loved the game, is all. In the meantime, I’ve participated in multiple competitions, and I started have a desire to be a professional since then. After I had a good result from the PUBG MOBILE STREET CHALLENGE (PMSC), I began my career as a pro.
S: PUBG MOBILE was just a hobby for me at first. Then I participated in many tournaments with my friends that I met in the game. While playing this game for a few years, once I’ve been in a slump. At that moment, one of those friends coincidentally called me asking if I’m interested in applying for the PUBG MOBILE Esports national team. I performed well in the tryout which made be a pro player.
You joined DWG KIA, which is a well-known name in the esports scene, right ahead of PMGC 2021. What’s good about being with DWG KIA?
F: I think the name of DWG KIA has significantly escalated our status as pro players. We’re all living together, so we can deeply feel the company’s support and assistance. Thanks to them, we can better focus on training and competitions. DWG KIA staffs care and support every one of us very much. That’s why I can stand strong.
S: They provide us a van and it’s very big and comfortable. The uniform looks very cool, too! (Laughter) Managers help us not just in business but also in our personal difficulties. They look after us in many aspects so that we cannot help but like them.
Is there anything you want to say to your fans?
F: I remember every supporting comment that the fans gave us last year. I deeply appreciate them all. I hope you keep supporting DWG KIA this year. I’ll do my best to achieve better results this year!
S: Thank you for the support. I’ll try hard to accomplish a great result this year and prove that Korean PUBG MOBILE Esports players are strong!
