How Long Before Every Multiplayer Game Copies ‘PUBG’?

Games influence one another in different ways, from the subtle to the obvious, from a tip of the hat to a copy and paste. Given the runaway success of PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, it was inevitable more games would incorporate a similar idea, grabbing the core genius of Battlegrounds—a wall that pushes players into tighter arenas—even if few managed to properly emulate why it works so well in that specific game. The latest to join the race to high-five the design of Battlegrounds is Epic Games' largely PvE-focused Fortnite, but it comes just after Rockstar Games decided to incorporate something similar to Grand Theft Auto Online.

In Fortnite's case, at least, the developers acknowledged the influence.

"We love Battle Royale games like PUBG and thought Fortnite would make a great foundation for our own version," said Epic Games creative director Donald Mustard in a blog post. "The new Battle Royale mode was so much fun we decided to share it with everyone to get feedback."

Both Fortnite and Grand Theft Auto V are built on the games-as-service model, so it makes sense each would have the earliest opportunity to riff on Battlegrounds. That said, it seems likely every major shooter coming out in the next two years is going to try and take signals from what's made Battlegrounds such a phenomenon, as Battlegrounds itself begins to expand out of Early Access and spread onto consoles, starting with Xbox One later this year. (PS4 will probably happen, too.)

Are we going to surprised when a bunch of developers stand on stage at E3 next year, touting their version of a blue wall that threatens to kill every player?

Lots of games will add a variation of Battlegrounds, but few are bound to stick. Though the wall is part of what makes Battlegrounds tick, it's merely the obvious takeaway in a game with all sorts of smart decisions. The rush to copy Battlegrounds can feel like developers worried the big new multiplayer game is stealing their players. Some games will benefit from getting on the Battlegrounds train, their own designs aided by what PlayerUnknown and his crew have pioneered, while others will have nothing more than yet another game mode. I'm guessing there are some games you're hoping get a mode like this. Which ones?

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