The popular online multiplayer game PUBG has had a tumultuous relationship with India. While its appeal can’t be denied, it has also been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Some cities banned the game and arrested violators and others burned its effigies on Holi. Eventually, a 6-hour playtime restriction was imposed on players to prevent addiction. The game is grabbing headlines once again but this time, the reason is quite different.
An anonymous millionaire wants to turn a private island into a real-life PUBG battle arena. 100 people will play in the 3-day event and the ‘last person standing’ will be rewarded £100,000 (Rs. 90 lakh).
The millionaire has roped in the website Hush hush to find a ‘gamemaker’ who can design the battle arena. And he is offering to pay the designer £45,000 (Rs. 40 lakh) for the six-week project. The role of the gamemaker is to make the event as realistic and safe as possible.
Sounds awesome. Tell me more about the event.
All 100 players will be provided with Airsoft guns, ammo and touch-sensitive body armour. They will compete for 12 hours each day. At night, the players can camp out on the island. At the end of 3 days, the player that is still standing will win the prize money.
Sounds like the millionaire was inspired by both PUBG and ‘The Hunger Games’. If this championship is successful, he’s planning to turn it into an annual extravaganza! How cool is that?