PUBG Celebrates 8th Anniversary With Fan Festa Seoul

In a vibrant celebration of gaming culture, Krafton hosted the 'PUBG Fan Festa Seoul' in Seongsu-dong, Seoul from March 21 to March 23, 2025, marking the 8th anniversary of the blockbuster game, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG). Fans from across the region flocked to the event, eager to engage with the game that has become synonymous with the battle royale genre since its Early Access release on Steam in 2017, where it captured a record peak of 3.25 million concurrent users.

The atmosphere was electric as die-hard fans lined up hours before the event kicked off on March 21, some eager to participate in the exciting lineup of activities that included both competitive and community-focused events. One of the event highlights was the anticipated '8 vs 88' match, where eight professional PUBG players took on eighty-eight fans in an experience that blurred the lines between celebrity and player.

Participating in this iconic showdown were players from DN Freaks including Salute, Hebeen, Kyumin, and Deal, alongside their counterparts from FN Forchen and Genesis. The nail-biting competition concluded with a stunning victory for the fans, igniting cheers and jubilation among the crowd as the players wore expressions of mixed emotions, from disappointment to amusement.

Reflecting on his extraordinary experience in the '8 vs 88' match, Na Hee-joo, a player known as Inonix, remarked, "8대 88 게임은 처음이라 색다른 경험이었다, 생각했던 것보다 어려워 당황스럽기도 했다. 다음에 또 기회가 있으면 더 좋은 모습 보여드리겠다," signifying the uniqueness of the encounter and his determination for future matches.

Another participant, Lee Jae-sung of Genesis, shared his thoughts, stating, "개인적으로 팬분들과 함께하는 행사에 처음 와 더욱 뜻깊었다," underscoring the meaningfulness of connecting with fans at such events. He promised, "PWS에서도 완벽한 경기력으로 우승을 차지할 수 있도록 그랜드 파이널까지 최선을 다하겠다," demonstrating the competitive spirit that defines esports.

In addition to thrilling matches, the event offered an array of interactive experience zones where fans engaged in various challenges designed to enhance their skills in agility, concentration, and marksmanship. The outdoor spaces were bustling with activity, as participants flocked to booths featuring training activities and competitions. One particular event that drew considerable attention was the 'Oomom Passing Crane,' where fans climbed aboard to win prizes, creating an atmosphere of excitement and friendly competition.

Among the prizes available were deluxe gaming gear sets from Razer, Samsung Electronics SSDs, collectible PUBG items, and even mini in-game backpacks—no wonder attendees were so eager to see what luck would bring them. A caricature booth caught the eye of many, offering fans the chance to create unique keepsakes while a rewards exchange allowed event-goers to collect tokens and trade them for replicated in-game items.

As the day wore on, participants expressed gratitude for the opportunity to engage directly with the players themselves. Salute from DN Freaks stated, "팬 행사에 참여할 수 있어 영광이었다. 재미있고 행복한 하루를 보냈다," highlighting the joy of these interactions, and his expectation to capitalize on this positive vibe in the ongoing PUBG Weekly Series tournament.

Kyumin, another member of DN Freaks, reflected on the rarity of such experiences, expressing, "팬분들을 가까이 만나는 기회가 흔치 않은데 이런 행사가 많이 생겼으면 좋겠다," clearly advocating for more fan-centric activities in the future and emphasizing his commitment to maintaining a high level of performance leading up to the grand finals of the ongoing tournament.

Genesis's Tosi also expressed his gratitude, stating, "배그 8주년을 많은 팬분들과 함께하게 된 데 너무 감사드린다," conveying thanks for the community's support while acknowledging the current challenges his team is facing in the PUBG Weekly Series, where he aims to improve their performance. His desire to show appreciation through results reflects a common sentiment echoed by many players throughout the event.

Krafton representatives commented on the event's significance, stating, "지난 8년간 배틀그라운드에 보내주신 이용자들의 사랑과 관심에 보답하고자 이번 행사를 마련했다," clearly demonstrating their commitment to the gaming community. They aimed to provide an enriching experience, packed with interactive content and delightful benefits, ensuring every participant walked away with cherished memories of the festivity.

The 'PUBG Fan Festa Seoul' stands as a testament to the enduring popularity of PUBG, combining competitive gaming with community engagements. As Krafton looks forward to enhancing the PUBG experience even further, the echoes of the fans' enthusiasm will resonate throughout the gaming landscape, making future events all the more anticipated.