PUBG boosts pre-orders with Xsolla

Krafton, via Bluehole, tapped Xsolla to expand pre-order options and secure payments for its early access launch of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG).

ASK

A GLOBAL BATTLE ROYAL EMERGES

Challenge

In 2017, Bluehole created the battle royale game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG).
Despite initial success on major platforms, PUBG failed to attract enough pre-orders. Xsolla stepped in to maximize pre-orders and safeguard against fraud.

Solution

Xsolla enabled PUBG to expand its global player base with a seamless and secure pre-order integration by offering diverse pre-order options to a broader audience, including players traditionally underserved by digital distribution platforms.

Solutions used:

Site Builder

Pay Station

Anti-fraud

OUTCOME

XSOLLA POWERS PUBG'S GLOBAL DOMINANCE

Result

PUBG achieved unprecedented success, setting records for sales, revenue, and concurrent players, peaking at 3 million. This was made possible by partnering with Xsolla, which facilitated the global expansion.

Technical aspects included:

Payments and Anti-Fraud

Enabled all available localized alternative payment methods, increasing the global footprint for potential new players
Helped players purchase games directly from developers, outside of mainstream distribution platforms and ecosystems
Enabled import and sale of regionally locked keys, to reduce “friendly fraud”
Filtered fraudulent payments using a self-updating algorithm
Reviewed disputed transactions 24/7 using behavioral and data metrics
Handled all risk for fraud and chargebacks, plus VAT and local taxation

Customer analytics and support

Delivered customizable widgets, converting organic web traffic into sales
Enabled greater user acquisition across regions with localized language support
Sent white-label confirmation emails to players who bought pre-order packages, with instructions for early access
Delivered aggregated financial data to track successful purchases and the performance of each payment method.

If you’re ready to work with player-preferred payment partners and benefit from Xsolla’s tailored marketing solutions that achieve remarkable outcomes, reach out to one of our experts today.

By the numbers: