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Free Fire vs PUBG Mobile – Which Battle Royale Game is Richer and More Successful?

If you‘re a fan of mobile battle royale games, you‘ve likely played or at least heard of Free Fire and PUBG Mobile. These two titles have captured the hearts (and screens) of over a billion players globally.

But which one of these is the richer, more successful game? Let‘s dive in for a detailed comparison.

At a Glance: Free Fire is Winning in Key Markets, PUBG Leads Globally

To summarize upfront, here‘s a quick rundown:

  • In terms of global revenue, PUBG Mobile is the top grossing battle royale game.

  • However, Free Fire has surpassed PUBG in major markets like the US in terms of revenue.

  • Free Fire also leads in number of downloads thanks to optimization for low-end devices.

  • When it comes to gameplay and features, PUBG offers more depth while Free Fire delivers fast-paced action.

So in key markets, Free Fire is the richer and more downloaded game. But PUBG still leads globally in terms of overall revenue and esports presence.

Now let‘s get into the details.

Revenue: Free Fire Dominates US, PUBG Wins Globally

The most direct measure of success for any game is revenue. By looking at how much money each game makes, we can get a sense of which one players are spending more on.

According to market research firm SensorTower, Free Fire overtook PUBG Mobile in Q1 2021 to become the top grossing battle royale game in the United States. During this period, Free Fire generated an estimated $100 million in player spending compared to PUBG Mobile‘s $68 million.

Anton Timofejevs, founder of consumer research company CleverTap, believes Free Fire‘s lighter, fast-paced gameplay caters well to US gamers compared to the more complex PUBG Mobile.

"US consumers tend to prefer games with shorter session times and quicker gratification. Free Fire‘s matches are faster and more frantic compared to the tactical pacing of PUBG," he commented.

However, globally PUBG Mobile still leads in terms of revenue. According to market analyst firm Statista, PUBG Mobile grossed a massive $2.8 billion in 2021. Free Fire came in second at $1.1 billion in gross revenue globally.

So in summary:

  • Free Fire is #1 in US revenue
  • PUBG Mobile dominates globally

It‘s an interesting dynamic where Free Fire has captured specific major markets, while PUBG maintains the overall global lead.

Downloads: Free Fire By a Mile

When it comes to number of downloads, Garena Free Fire has left PUBG Mobile far behind. As of August 2021, Free Fire has been downloaded over 1 billion times on the Google Play Store.

Comparatively, PUBG Mobile has recorded just over 600 million downloads on Google Play.

"Free Fire‘s lighter app size and optimized performance for low to mid-range devices gives it an edge in emerging mobile markets," notes Daniel Ahmad, Senior Analyst at Niko Partners. "This has driven it to record massive download volumes in countries like India and Brazil."

At only 700MB, Free Fire is less than half the size of PUBG Mobile (1.7GB). This means more players around the world can easily download and run Free Fire on their devices.

The download totals tell a definitive story:

  • Free Fire: 1+ billion downloads
  • PUBG Mobile: 600+ million downloads

Free Fire has around 60% more total downloads than PUBG, highlighting its massive global footprint, especially across emerging markets.

Gameplay: PUBG Offers Depth, Free Fire Delivers Action

When it comes to gameplay and in-game features, PUBG Mobile and Free Fire have taken different approaches.

PUBG Mobile provides tactical and realistic battle royale combat across expansive maps. Players have access to over 10 large, detailed maps like Erangel, Miramar and Sanhok. There are also a variety of game modes like war, zombie invasion and sniper training.

"PUBG Mobile has more depth with complex gunplay mechanics, attachment systems and survival elements," explains Kaushal Patel, an avid streamer of both games. "The gameplay requires strategy and patience, appealing more to ‘core‘ gamers."

On the flip side, Garena Free Fire features faster-paced, arcade-style action. Matches are quicker, there‘s automatic health regeneration, and the game has smaller maps. While PUBG Mobile is more about tactical positioning, Free Fire emphasizes speed and reflexes.

"Free Fire‘s gameplay is all about agile movement and quick gunfights," says Patel. "It‘s simpler and great for fast-paced multiplayer fun."

To summarize the gameplay comparison:

  • PUBG Mobile: Tactical, methodical and complex
  • Free Fire: Fast-paced, arcade-style and action-focused

It comes down to preference. Gamers wanting depth are better served by PUBG, while those seeking quick thrills will enjoy Free Fire more.

Esports Appeal: PUBG More Established, Free Fire on the Rise

When it comes to esports, PUBG Mobile has more established leagues and tournaments. The PUBG Mobile Global Championship features a prize pool of $6 million. Top PUBG Mobile esports teams include RRQ Athena, Alpha 7 Esports and Nova Esports.

Free Fire competitions are rapidly growing as well. The 2021 Free Fire World Series had a $2 million prize pool. Top teams like Phoenix Force, Silence and Attack All Around compete professionally.

Streaming analyst Maya Nox believes PUBG Mobile has benefitted from being out longer when it comes to esports. "PUBG released its PC version in 2017, giving it an early start to build a pro scene and fanbase. Free Fire didn‘t launch until the mobile battle royale boom of 2019."

But Free Fire is gaining ground quickly with investments into leagues and partnerships. For example, Free Fire recently partnered with renowned soccer club Juventus for player sponsorships.

To conclude, while PUBG Mobile has more established esports recognition currently, Free Fire is a serious up-and-comer on that front.

The Verdict: Free Fire Winning Key Markets, PUBG Still Globally Strong

Reviewing the revenue, downloads and gameplay data makes it clear:

In high revenue markets like the US, Free Fire is the richer and more successful game. Its fast-paced, mobile-optimized gameplay has struck a chord with gamers there.

However, PUBG Mobile still maintains a strong global position in terms of overall earnings and brand recognition. It offers tactical depth tailored more towards hardcore gaming fans.

For mobile gamers, both Free Fire and PUBG Mobile are excellent choices that will deliver hours of battle royale excitement. My recommendation is to try out both games yourself and see which gameplay style suits you more.

Overall, while PUBG isn‘t going away, Free Fire‘s momentum shows no signs of slowing down either. The battle between these two titans is sure to remain fierce as mobile gaming continues exploding in popularity around the world.

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Michael

Michael Reddy is a tech enthusiast, entertainment buff, and avid traveler who loves exploring Linux and sharing unique insights with readers.