PUBG Mobile, once a dominant force in Pakistan’s mobile gaming and esports scene, is experiencing a noticeable decline in popularity. While the game built careers for numerous professional gamers and content creators, recent updates and technical changes have frustrated players, leading many to explore alternative titles. Instead of introducing fresh content, patches have made the game heavier and more prone to lag, affecting gameplay and player experience. This technical slowdown, combined with social concerns surrounding the game, has contributed to its diminishing appeal across the country.
The game’s growing hardware requirements have emerged as a significant barrier for younger players. High-end smartphones are now essential to run PUBG Mobile smoothly, excluding a large portion of the player base. Players frequently report severe lag, particularly in high-intensity “Hot Drop” areas, resulting in glitchy visuals and disrupted battles. Meanwhile, competitors like COD Mobile have optimized performance and delivered smoother experiences, drawing users away. Matchmaking has also been affected, with lobbies increasingly populated by bots, signaling a decline in active users. This shift is reflected in the content creation community, where prominent YouTubers have reduced PUBG-focused content as the game gradually loses relevance.
The decline is not only evident in local markets but also on the global esports stage. PUBG Mobile, which led mobile esports from 2018 to 2023, has been overtaken by Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) in 2024 and 2025, earning consecutive nominations for “Best Esports Game” while PUBG was excluded. Notably, MLBB’s Team Liquid PH received a nomination for “Best Esports Team” in 2025, a milestone PUBG Mobile never achieved, highlighting the industry’s shifting focus.
Beyond gameplay and competitive metrics, PUBG Mobile has faced longstanding social controversy in Pakistan. Authorities and parents have repeatedly raised concerns about the game’s impact on youth, linking it to violent behavior and, in some cases, tragic incidents. Police reports from Punjab have associated the game with aggressive conduct and desensitization to violence, while PTA has intermittently banned and unbanned the title since 2020, citing negative effects on the physical and psychological health of children. Families report declining academic performance, social withdrawal, and unauthorized spending on in-game items, further intensifying criticism.
While PUBG Mobile remains defended by its younger audience, these technical, social, and regulatory challenges suggest that its era of dominance may be fading. The combination of declining performance, rising hardware demands, and ongoing societal debate illustrates a broader shift in Pakistan’s mobile gaming landscape, with newer titles capturing attention and reshaping the competitive and entertainment environment.
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