“I have big respect for them” - PUBG’s boss looks to old foe Fortnite to secure the future of its battle royale
Taeseok Jang, head of Krafton’s PUBG IP franchise group, has discussed the strategic future of PUBG: Battlegrounds while expressing respect for longtime competitor Fortnite. In an interview at Krafton’s Seoul headquarters, Jang reflected on how the battle royale genre has fundamentally transformed since PUBG’s pioneering role in popularizing the format.
When PUBG first emerged, battle royale was a specialized subgenre within the broader shooter category. However, Jang observed that the industry landscape has inverted—battle royale has matured into its own dominant genre, with shooting mechanics now representing just one element of the broader experience. This genre evolution reflects how titles like Fortnite have expanded the scope of what battle royales offer beyond pure combat.
Jang emphasized that “there’s room to get more growth,” indicating Krafton sees untapped potential within the competitive free-to-play market despite the genre’s maturation. His measured acknowledgment of Fortnite’s success and his respect for the competition suggests a strategic openness to learning from market leaders while positioning PUBG for future expansion.
PUBG: Battlegrounds continues as a free-to-play offering across PC, console, and mobile platforms, navigating an increasingly competitive landscape where battle royale games remain highly sought franchises.