The PUBG Global Series 2023 Phase 2 event, which unfolded from August 10th to 20th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, proved to be a monumental success, significantly exceeding expectations. This tournament not only featured fierce competition for a staggering $2 million USD prize pool but also held the crucial role of determining qualifications for the prestigious PUBG Global Championship 2023. This year marked the highly anticipated return of the Global Series after a regrettable cancellation in 2020 due to the pandemic. One of the standout features of this event was the introduction of the new “SUPER” competitive ruleset, designed to bridge the gap between the in-game ranked mode and the competitive esports mode, adding an extra layer of excitement to the proceedings.
Soniqs Triumphs in Grand Style
The team that emerged victorious from this intense battle was none other than Soniqs, whose exceptional performance earned them the top spot. Their triumph came with a substantial reward of $600,000 and, perhaps more importantly, 300 PGS Points. These valuable points would play a crucial role in deciding which teams would secure a coveted spot at the 2023 PUBG Global Championship. With this victory, Soniqs sealed their place in the championship, an accomplishment that undoubtedly added to their growing list of achievements.
The Path to Victory
Soniqs faced stiff competition from formidable opponents, including Twisted Minds, who secured second place, and Danawa e-sports, who finished a respectable fourth. These placements were significant, as they too secured their tickets to the PUBG Global Championship 2023. Unfortunately, Question Mark, the third-place finisher, did not qualify for the championship since they had not participated in the Phase 1 event. However, they still had a glimmer of hope through regional qualifier tournaments to secure a place in the prestigious final event.
Gamers8 Esports: A Leading Force
In terms of prize pool, Gamers8 Esports continued to set the bar high for esports tournaments. The staggering $2 million USD prize pool made this event the only non-Global Championship event to offer more than a million USD in total rewards. Gamers8 Esports’ commitment to hosting high-value tournaments has cemented its position as a driving force in the esports industry.
Viewership Soars to New Heights
One of the most remarkable aspects of the PUBG Global Series 2023 Phase 2 event was the remarkable viewership it garnered. By the end of the event, it had proudly claimed the title of the fifth most-watched tournament in PUBG history. The impressive viewership figures were a testament to the enduring appeal and excitement of competitive PUBG.
A Captivating Spectacle
The penultimate round of the Grand Finals event witnessed a staggering 163.4K concurrent viewers, a clear indicator of the immense interest and enthusiasm surrounding the event. Impressively, this viewership remained consistent throughout the entirety of the tournament, underlining the captivating nature of competitive PUBG. From the Bracket Stage onwards, concurrent viewers consistently exceeded the 100K mark at their peak.
YouTube Dominance
The event recorded a total of 4.2 million hours watched, with a substantial portion originating from Asian YouTube channels. The PUBG SEA channel, tailored for Vietnamese fans, emerged as the clear frontrunner among channels covering the event. With an impressive 947.3K hours of watch time, it outperformed all other channels by a significant margin. Thailand’s PUBG YouTube channel secured the second spot, amassing 489K hours of watch time.
Dedicated PUBG Esports Channels Shine
In this event, community casters took a back seat as the spotlight remained on dedicated PUBG esports channels. While a few amateur community casters provided coverage, their efforts were overshadowed by the more established and committed channels that consistently delivered top-notch PUBG broadcasting.
Diverse Linguistic Landscape
While Asian languages, especially Vietnamese, dominated the viewership, English and other Asian languages also enjoyed significant representation. The diverse linguistic landscape reflected the truly global appeal of competitive PUBG.
A Window into the Popularity of PUBG Mobile
The growing popularity of PUBG mobile games was evident in the viewership of this event. Although PUBG PC was the focus, the success of PUBG mobile games undoubtedly contributed to the event’s viewership and the overall success of PUBG esports.
In-Depth Analysis: Heat Index
An in-depth analysis of the viewership data, conducted in collaboration with DoHuya, a platform for analyzing Chinese live-streaming platforms DouYu and Huya, revealed intriguing insights. The coverage of the event on Huya achieved a Peak Heat Index of 7.1 million, while DouYu recorded 5.5 million for its coverage. The Heat Index, a comprehensive metric that reflects a channel’s overall popularity and activity, provided valuable insights into viewer interaction and engagement during the event.
The Spectacular Rise of PUBG Esports
The 2023 Global Series Phase 2 event solidified its status as one of the most-watched PUBG events in history. With a fifth-place ranking in terms of all-time watch time, it even outshone the PUBG Global Championship 2019 and other prestigious global events. The remarkable success of the Global Series in 2023, both in Phase 1 and Phase 2, marked a resurgence of interest in competitive PUBG.
Building Hype for the Future
The increased viewership in the Global Series could potentially translate into even more significant viewership for the upcoming PUBG Global Championship 2023. As the Global Series returned after a hiatus, it effectively generated anticipation and awareness among audiences, setting the stage for an exciting and highly-anticipated Global Championship scheduled to take place from November 18th to December 3rd in Bangkok, Thailand.
Conclusion
In retrospect, the PUBG Global Series 2023 Phase 2 event was nothing short of extraordinary. It surpassed all expectations, delivering intense competition, record-breaking viewership, and setting the stage for the forthcoming PUBG Global Championship. As competitive PUBG continues to captivate audiences worldwide, the future of the esports discipline looks incredibly promising.
