The Discord server for the PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS players in Korea is a user-friendly place. From the Supporters who manage the server, the group of experienced players who help newbies get used to the gameplay, and a variety of events and rewards are all ready to captures the users’ heart. With the Supporters trying to make the server more attractive to the players, it has drawn more than 70,000 users in two months of its official opening. It must have been possible because the Supporters themselves are true fans of PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS. Read onto the following KRAFTON blogpost, the second part of the Supporters interview, to find out their stories.
How good you are in PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS? How did you start playing it?
OZ: I first met PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS in 2019, when it was already very popular. I was the only inexperienced player among my friends, so I was anxious. As I started the game later than others, I tried to learn it as fast as I could. Now I’ve been playing it for more than 5,000 hours and I made it to the Diamond tier. I think I could quickly climb my tier since I aim for win every match.
BCode: I think I should call myself a mediocre player at best since there already are a myriad of master-level players out there. I’ve played PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS since it was launched on Early Access. Back then battle royale games were rare, so I was really into its originality. I usually enjoy unranked mode rather than the ranked because I sometimes feel stressful that I have to play well in the latter. I’ve been playing it for about 4,000 hours by far. I’m in the Gold tier.
Jihye: I think I can protect myself at least. (Laughter) I saw my friend playing PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS and it looked exciting, so I started playing. In particular, I like the concept that we have to fight until only one survives, as well as the thrill of it. That’s how I started my first shooter, PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS. My playtime is about 5,000 hours.
Do you remember your first kill or first Chicken Dinner?
OZ: I had my first Chicken Dinner all thanks to my squad mates. As soon as I saw “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner” on the screen, I felt so good that I almost got a real fried chicken delivered. It was only three days after I began the game. My first kill was even more dramatic because I killed six opponents in the match where I made my first kill. I was very confident and thought like “Oh, I do know how to shoot!” I still remember the moment vividly. I made the first kill with a silencer mounted QBU, a designated marksman rifle, on the second floor of Sanhok’s northern house.
BCode: Tommy Gun, a submachine gun, was obtainable only from airdrops when PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS was first released. I fortunately found it and got into the blue zone, but I couldn’t use it and fell down. But thanks to my squad mates, I could have my first-ever Chicken Dinner.
Jihye: How can I forget my first kill! I heard footsteps nearby, so I kept myself hidden. I was very nervous. Suddenly, the opponent came into my sight, so I shot the enemy without even recognizing it. It was unexpected kill, but very impressive.
What is your main role in the squad?
OZ: I’m usually a sub-order, so I deliver information to my squad mates rather than actively taking part in engagements. I’m especially good at briefing on geographical features.
BCode: I frequently back up my team. I carry two M416s, and if a squad mate is downed, I start coverage fire for protection. Also, I can catch opponents far away. I think I tend to play for my team rather than personal satisfaction, especially when my team aims for the Chicken Dinner.
Jihye: You should first know what I’m called. I’m a “meek-and-mild level-4 living backpack.” (Laughter) It was a joke before. But as The Tactical Pack, which is considered as an actual Level 4 backpack, is updated recently, now I’m promoted to a “level-5 living backpack.” If you need anything, free to call me. I can deliver it.
Which weapons do you usually use?
BCode: I like “S12K” among shotguns. Although you can load only five bullets without any attachment, the maximum load become 10 once you attach an extended quickdraw mag, allowing you to execute assault more aggressively. In particular, if you use another attachment named “duckbill,” the effective shooting range is extended to about 50 meters, which means you can cover medium-range skirmishes with this shotgun.
OZ: I usually use “SLR,” a designated marksman rifle (DMR). As it has fewer attachment slots than other DMRs, it’s less difficult to handle. Also, it gives high damage with each bullet, so you can kill an opponent with only two or three bullets.
Jihye: M416, an assault rifle, is my favorite gun. As you may already know, it’s very easy to control the recoil and also is well-balanced.
Costumes are another thing that PUBG fans don’t want to miss. Did you buy lots of skins?
Jihye: I guess I’ve spent over $1,200 for paid items in PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, while I’ve played the game for about four years. Since I’ve mostly enjoyed role-playing games before PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, I’m obsessed with decorating my character. And I feel like plays don’t go well with a poor-looking character.
BCode: I love skin items, too. Back in 2019, there was a limited-edition skin item sold at an online shopping mall here I stayed up all night to get this. Besides, I spent about $600 on a graphics card to buy the light green jacket skin that was made under collaboration with NVIDIA and PUBG STUDIOS. Of course, I resold the graphics card after I got the jacket item. (Laughter)
OZ: My favorite skin is the yellow quilted jacket. My brother brought me an actual quilted jacket, which Korean soldiers wear inside the field jacket, when he was discharged from the army. It was warm and nice. I found that the yellow one was sold in the market and the cute design was just my type. Me and my boyfriend enjoy wearing it as a matched home wear. We even bought another one later in an online store.
Do you have any special memories of playing the game with other users you met in the server?
Jihye: I do my work and the Supporter at the same time, so don’t have enough time to play PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS as much as I want. But I’m trying to play it with the users I met in the server. To be honest, I’m an awful driver. One day when I was driving a car with my teammates moving altogether, we found another ride, so we decided to split the squad. But in the next moment, I realized that all the three left the car I was driving, which was not we planned for. Yes, it was mean. But it’s fine. I always ask my squad mates, “Did you fasten your seat belt?” or “Do you have insurance plans?” (Laughter)
OZ: I play the game frequently. As I’m the Supporter, some occasionally overestimate me. I’m the best briefer, but not a fighter. I feel ashamed when I die early or never kill any opponent.
BCode: I also enjoy playing with others. As I told you before, I enjoy PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS itself and I’m not obsessed with winning. My character always wears a clown mask, meaning that let’s have fun. I guess it has become my signature look. Some recognize me in the game, asking “Aren’t you BCode?” If you find a character with a clown mask, NVIDIA light green jacket and a S12K, it’s definitely me.
What do you think is the most important capability that you need to get the Chicken Dinner? Good personal skills or well-delivered orders?
OZ: Both are crucial, but I think good orders are a little bit more important. PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS has many variables like the extensiveness of 8x8km maps and unpredictable movements of the blue zone. Individuals cannot cover everything, so orders should be placed very well to get Chicken Dinners.
Jihye: I think building teamwork is more important. If your squad is cooperative, you would be able to overcome any crisis.
BCode: If I have to make a choice between them, I think personal skills are more significant. No matter how good the orders are, it’s meaningless without knocking down opponents in the end. However, I believe the even more important thing is gaming sense. If you can read the maps and have gaming sense, then you can totally get through any troubles.
What is your favorite map?
OZ: I like Vikendi, where I grew myself from a newbie to an experienced player. In particular, I practiced sniper rifles and designated marksman rifles very much in this map. I practiced shooting hard with determination that I would make a perfect headshot someday. Naturally, my skills have improved much.
BCode: My favorite is Taego, the latest one. As it’s based on Korea, its mood is very familiar. But what you should note is the map has well-balanced terrains. Besides, it has many spots where you can finish farming outdoors without having to go inside buildings. It’s a perfect map for those who like to play at speed like me.
Jihye: I think Erangel represents PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS. It’s the oldest one and the green scenery makes me relaxed. That’s why I like Erangel the most. Of course, what happens on the map is far from peace. (Laughter)
Which map do you recommend to newbies?
OZ: I recommend Taego. It’s very sad that newbies can only watch until the end if they die early. But a new feature called “Comeback BR” was introduced to Taego. I think it’s a very good way to help users continue their excitement.
BCode: I recommend Taego, too. I saw one of Taego’s map designers saying in an interview that it was designed to balance between each region. You would be able to grasp what the designer intended once you try playing it. It’s very well-balanced. I think that’s why Taego is the best one for newbies while getting accustomed to PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS.
Jihye: In addition, in the blue zone of Taego, you can find the weapons only available in the other maps. I recommend the map where diverse weapons and entertaining features are hidden.
Many features and contents have been updated during the last five years since PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS launched. Which new content did you like the most?
OZ: I like the new maps. As much as I love the new elements in those maps, I like that fact that everyone including the most experienced and skilled players need time to get used to the new environment. That’s why I’ve always tried hard to get familiar with the new one faster than others.
BCode: As I enjoy aggressive plays in highly populated areas of each map, I like new features related to survival. I was so excited when carrying knocked down squad mates and near-death swimming were updated.
Jihye: I really liked the update which brought the buffs back to M416. I used “Beryl M762” for a while, which many users use as a main weapon. Its recoil control is very hard, so I didn’t like it.
Is there anything you hope PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS to improve?
BCode: I want more diverse attachments. Of course, there already are many attachments now, but they seem to be focused only on primary weapons. For example, you must shoot each bolt with a crossbow carefully. I think a new attachment that allows the players to shoot the bolt without having to aim down the sight with a crossbow, or explosive bolts can make it more exiting. Also, more new attachments will encourage the players to try out more diverse weapons.
What kind of game do you want PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS to be as a fan?
Jihye: Some games lose their identities once they get popular. As PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS pioneered a new genre, battle royale, I hope it never lose its identities represented by survival, teamwork and gunplay.
OZ: It’s been a long time since PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS was released. Therefore, some consider it an “old game,” and some others think it has become more difficult to play. This recognition could be a barrier to newbies. When the training mode was introduced recently, many players said, “How come such a good feature came out just now?” Newbies easily get daunted due to their lack of skills. The addition of tutorial mode was exactly for those newbies. If PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS keeps this direction, it would be loved for a long time by both newbies and experienced players.
Could you tell us about new human relationships that you made while playing PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS?
OZ: I met many people in my clan, including streamers, pro players and even a singer. And the most important, I met my boyfriend here. We’re going to marry this fall. He said he fell in love with me when he saw me handling various problems that happened during a small tournament which we organized for the clan members. And he told me he was convinced that it would be possible to solve any problem in the world if he’s with me. (Laughter)
Jihye: While working as the Supporter, I could think about relationships again. It was a good opportunity to grow socially. And I found my love in PUBG: BATTLEGOURNDS, too. We believe that we can better communicate with other since we enjoy the same game together.
BCode: PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS motivates me very much. I’ve got more passionate about open source and coding while working as the Supporter. In addition, I was able to make lots of friends from many other countries. I made a Chinese friend recently with whom I play this game together, which helps me study Chinese at the same time. PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS always connects me to new interests, and I anticipate how much it will have positive influences on my life.
To whom do you want to recommend volunteering for the Supporters?
OZ: Anyone who loves PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS can be the Supporter. You can be an assistant of our Discord server, if you’re willing to make more people love the game like you do.
BCode: I hope all-rounders, especially those who are willing to donate with their talents, to apply for the Supporters.
Jihye: We’re waiting for big fans of PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS and those who have a good understanding of Discord!
How would you like to describe PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS in one word?
Jihye: It’s the best “digestive medicine” that throw away my stress!
OZ: It’s love for me since I found undying love in the game. (Laughter)
BCode: It’s the best game. I’m looking forward to its future!
