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A character rests in a bush, two other characters exceed it. It is the opportunity to land two shots of the cover – the applause of the public. Such scenes are among the most exciting of the "PUBG Invitational," an electronic sports tournament that runs until Sunday in Berlin's Mercedes-Benz Arena – where other Helene Fischer and Justin Timberlake are in scene.
"PUBG", short for "Playerunknown Battlegrounds", is a game called Battle Royale, in which he is about to survive as the last player on a smaller playground (how exactly the game works, we explain here) [19659004] Distance photo
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PUBG is usually played online, with up to 100 players per duel match from around the world via PC, Xbox One or the smartphone. Things are different with the "PUBG Invitational", where 80 of the best "PUBG" players sit side by side in the arena.
They are divided into 20 teams of four men, who are winning prizes totaling two million dollars in Berlin. A glimpse of celebrity as spectators in the arena and in the livestream encourage winnings.
Only for the experience there
The "Invitational" is the first tournament "PUBG" of this size in Germany and at least one indicator of how it is in this country on the planet. enthusiasm of e-sports.
I've been in "PUBG" for over 200 hours and mostly I'm here because I find the development of E-Sport exciting, "says Steve.The 23-year-old has already met a lot of people. 39; other people on the first day of the event, who do not play themselves "PUBG", but who are interested in the show. "It's like football for you, you're not. Do not have to play it yourself. "
But one thing surprised Steve: most visitors to Germany are Chinese." I was interviewed by a Chinese journalist about the tournament, which was been downright shocked that there had never been such an event for "PUBG & # 39; In Germany, it is much more common that you go to the stadium to watch an electronic sports match.
Pyro-deposits in a half empty room
The "PUBG Invitational" shows Also many things on the other side of the game. The opening of the show is professional: people sneak up to the ceiling and fight on stage.Pyrotechnic depots pass through the room – which is however half empty.
Maybe it's because it starts on a Wednesday, maybe it'll be more complete during the weekend competitions, maybe it's also because too few people in Germany are still interested in "PUBG" as an electronic sport
"I won tickets directly for the final Sunday," says Martin. The 29-year-old has spent more than 700 hours with "PUBG" and will meet friends from Cologne on Sunday. He is also interested in electronic sports, but believes that "PUBG" is not the most exciting game for spectators. "You have 20 teams of four players each, who spend most of their time in the houses," he said.
A game would only be exciting in the last ten minutes – when the playing field has become so small that players can no longer avoid it. Interestingly, even Brendan Greene, creator of the game, says in an interview that "PUBG" is not really ready for e-sports.
They enter and leave and return to
Martin immediately purchased a ticket for each of the four days of the Invitational. "In fact, everyone costs 29 euros, but I have them for 15 euros," he says. In fact, the tickets were offered by discount campaigns after a shorter period of time cheaper – an indication that the interest of the fans was lower than expected. Martin also says: "The incentive for me was less the tournament, but the opportunity to make money."
In practice, here is how it works: Each visitor gets three codes in his hand as they enter the room, two of them unlocking virtual hoodies with patterns from teams participating in "PUBG". These can otherwise be purchased in the game for ten euros, the product goes to the respective team.
Martin's important code, however, is one that brings a special skin: inviting visitors receive a portion of a skin game on each of the four days of the tournament, a collection of digital costumes that can be worn. in the game, this "Wasteland Collection" is exclusively for visitors and is already announced on the ticket side.
"There are a lot of players, especially from China, who really want those skins," says Martin. So he sells the codes in one word directly on Ebay – and does it around 150 euros per code. "I know people who have bought a lot of tickets, they come in and out and come in, just to have as many codes as possible and then make money," he says and supposes that it is also a way for the organizer
The "PUBG" matches at Arena found Martin at least boring on the first day. "After a good two hours, I left, it was too stuffy in the hallway." Even moments like the ride with the bush could not really inspire him. "When something exciting happened, the camera has changed again," he says. "There are just too many players on the field."
If the tournament takes place again next year, he will not come back, says Martin – unless, of course, that there is the opportunity to earn money with codes again.
