Introduction
At present, the craze for online gaming is at an all-time high. From casual players to hardcore enthusiasts, everyone is logging in daily to battle it out on the digital battleground. Among the multitude of options, PUBG (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds) sits near the top of the popularity charts. Its realistic gunplay, tense survival mechanics, and social features make it a favorite across age groups. Yet, in gaming communities especially in South Asia, a cheeky question resurfaces time and again: “PUBG Ka Baap Kaun Hai?” (Who is the father of PUBG?).
This lighthearted jab has sparked spirited debates comparing PUBG with its rivals, such as Garena Free Fire, BGMI, Fortnite, and Apex Legends. In this article, we’ll dive into every aspect of that question—examining why Free Fire often claims the “baap” title, how PUBG maintains its crown among tactical gamers, and what each game brings to the table. Let’s get started!
What Is PUBG?
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, commonly known as PUBG, pioneered the realistic battle-royale genre when it launched on PC in early 2017. Developed by South Korea’s Bluehole Studio under the creative direction of Brendan “PlayerUnknown” Greene, PUBG challenged 100 players to parachute onto a vast island, scavenge weapons and equipment, and fight until only one remained. Its success on PC led to the mobile spin-off PUBG Mobile (2018), which faithfully replicated the core mechanics on smartphones.
Key features of PUBG include:
Large-Scale Maps: Erangel, Miramar, Sanhok, Vikendi, and more, each with unique terrain.
Realistic Gunplay: Accurate recoil patterns, bullet drop, and attachments.
Team Play & Live Chat: Voice and text chat keep squads coordinated.
Ranked Modes & Seasonal Passes: Competitive ladders and cosmetic rewards.
Today, PUBG Mobile boasts over 1 billion installs on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store combined. Although PUBG Lite (a trimmed-down version) and regional variants like BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India) have emerged, PUBG’s core identity remains rooted in tactical, high-stakes firefights.
What is Garena Free Fire?
Garena’s Free Fire, a free-to-play battle royale game, has become a global phenomenon since its launch on December 8, 2017. Initially known as Garena Free Fire, it quickly rose to prominence, becoming the most downloaded mobile game worldwide in 2019. This massive popularity continued to grow, with the game boasting over 150 million daily active users by 2021 and exceeding $1 billion in lifetime revenue. Although the active user base slightly decreased to 100 million by February 2024, the game’s cultural impact remains significant.
To further enhance the player experience, Garena released Free Fire Max in September 2021. This upgraded version offers players improved graphics, lighting, and sound effects, providing a more immersive gameplay experience. Beyond its commercial success, Free Fire has also made a name for itself in the world of esports. The Free Fire World Series holds the record for the most-watched esports event in the world, with a peak live viewership of over 5.4 million people.
Key Features of Free Fire
Fast-paced Battle Royale: It offers 10-minute battle royale matches on a shrinking map, forcing players into constant action.
Unique Character Abilities: A diverse roster of characters with unique skills adds a strategic layer to gameplay beyond just gun skill.
Cross-platform Experience: Unique Firelink technology allows players to seamlessly switch between Free Fire and Free Fire Max with the same account.
Major Esports Scene: Free Fire has a huge competitive scene, with its annual World Series holding a record for the most-watched esports event.
PUBG Ka Baap Kaun Hai?
The phrase “PUBG Ka Baap Kaun Hai?” literally translates to “Who is PUBG’s father?” In gaming slang, calling one game the “father” of another implies it’s superior in some way—be it player count, download speed, accessibility, or sheer fun factor. Across YouTube shorts, Instagram reels, and Reddit threads, Garena Free Fire frequently bears this title. But is that tag purely meme-driven, or does Free Fire truly outshine PUBG in critical areas? Below, we’ll explore the head-to-head factors that fuel this rivalry.
Top Reasons Why Free Fire Is Considered Father of PUBG?
The claim that Free Fire is the father of PUBG doesn’t holds any value, it’s just a perception. In fact PUBG Battlegrounds was released even before the idea of Free Fire and got popular. Free Fire is also a better game and played worldwide but it’s not the origin of PUBG occurance. Here are the some key reasons that describes both Free Fire and PUBG.
1. Game Size & Device Compatibility
Free Fire (≈744 MB)
Designed to run smoothly on devices with as little as 1 GB RAM.
Compression and asset streaming keep installation times short.
PUBG Mobile (≈1.6 GB+)
High-resolution textures and detailed environments demand 4 GB RAM or more.
Can suffer from lag on budget phones, deterring a large segment of the market.
Impact: Free Fire’s smaller footprint means players with older or entry-level smartphones can join matches seamlessly—expanding its audience dramatically.
2. Download Numbers & Growth
Free Fire
Launched in late 2017, it hit 500 million downloads within its first year.
Continues to add tens of millions of new installs monthly, especially in Latin America and Southeast Asia.
PUBG Mobile
With its wide reach of 1 billion downloads by 2019 thanks to its PC-to-mobile authenticity and user-friendliness.
Growth plateaued in markets where device constraints and bans (like in India) limited reach.
Impact: Although PUBG Mobile has a higher lifetime install count, Free Fire’s ongoing monthly download rate remains stronger in emerging markets.
3. Character Variety & Customization
Free Fire
Features 20+ unique characters (like Kelly, Alok, Chrono), each with special skills (e.g., movement speed boosts, healing).
Players can unlock these Characters via in-game currency or real-money purchases, fueling player attachment.
PUBG Mobile
Offers mostly cosmetic outfits, with limited character-skill differentiation.
Emphasizes weapon attachments and vehicle skins over hero-style abilities.
Impact: Free Fire’s RPG-style character mechanics add depth and personalization, making each match feel fresh.
4. Graphics & Visual Appeal
PUBG Mobile
Strives for realistic lighting, shadows, and detailed textures.
Appeals to players seeking immersion akin to console/PC shooters.
Free Fire
Utilizes stylized, cartoony visuals—lower fidelity but vibrant and distinct.
Less demanding on GPU; frames remain stable even in intense gunfights.
Impact: While PUBG wins on photo-realism, Free Fire’s bright aesthetic engages younger audiences and reduces hardware strain.
5. Match Duration & Pacing
PUBG/BGMI
Average match length: 20–30 minutes.
Slow circles and looting phases reward strategic play and map mastery.
Free Fire
Matches end in 10–12 minutes.
Fast-closing zones keep action constant, catering to short-session gamers.
Impact: Quick matches translate to higher total games per session—and more opportunities for wins, which fuels player retention.
6. Difficulty Level & Accessibility
Free Fire
Highlights enemies in red when aiming, easing target acquisition.
Simplified recoil patterns and fewer weapon attachments.
PUBG Mobile
Precise aiming and manual recoil control are crucial.
High skill ceiling can intimidate new players.
Impact: Free Fire lowers entry barriers, allowing casual gamers—especially younger audiences—to feel competitive early on.
7. Active User Base & Community Engagement
Free Fire
Over 100 million daily active users globally.
Strong presence on TikTok and Instagram, with influencers generating viral dance emotes and event challenges.
PUBG Mobile/BGMI
Around 16 million daily active users post-ban in India; global MAU ~110 million.
Esports scene thrives but skews toward dedicated competitive players.
Impact: Free Fire’s vibrant social ecosystem amplifies player engagement beyond the game client bolstering its “baap” reputation.
8. Endgame Celebrations
Free Fire:
The triumphant Booyah! scroll delights winners with celebratory effects and sound cues.
PUBG Mobile:
Winners bask in the legendary “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!” banner and musical sting.
Impact: Both taglines have become cultural memes, but “Booyah!” feels snappier—and has spawned countless user-generated memes and reaction videos.
9. Variety of Weapons & Gear
Free Fire Arsenal:
Includes RGS50 grenade launcher, MGL140, Gatling gun, and futuristic event weapons.
Weapon skills (e.g., increased damage, rate-of-fire boosts) incentivize experimentation.
PUBG® Loadout:
Real-world firearms like AKM, M416, Groza, AWM.
Extensive attachments system (scopes, grips, barrels) rewards tuning your build.
Impact: PUBG’s authentic armory appeals to gun-enthusiasts, while Free Fire’s eclectic roster keeps each match unpredictable.
Mini-Case Study: BGMI Ban & Free Fire’s Surge
In September 2020, the Indian government banned PUBG Mobile over data-security concerns. Krafton’s workaround—BGMI—launched in July 2021 with India-specific servers and data-storage promises. Yet, Free Fire had already filled the vacuum. During BGMI’s six-month hiatus, Free Fire’s downloads in India spiked by 35%, as budget-phone users and new streamers flocked to Booyah battles. Even after BGMI’s return in May 2023, many casual gamers stuck with Free Fire, cementing its local “baap” status.
Mini-Case Study: Free Fire Esports Milestones
Garena’s Free Fire World Series 2021 drew 5 million concurrent viewers online, making it one of the most-watched mobile esports events ever. Regional leagues Free Fire Continental Series (FFCS) boasted prize pools of $2 million and featured collaborations with Bollywood stars for promotional events. These spectacles fueled mass hype, pushing the game further above PUBG in certain markets.
Wrapping Up
So, “PUBG Ka Baap Kaun Hai?” The community’s answer often points to Garena Free Fire, thanks to its device accessibility, quick-fire matches, character depth, and colossal social presence. However, PUBG Mobile and its regional cousin BGMI retain their stronghold among players craving realism, advanced gunplay, and longer-form strategy.
Each game ultimately caters to different tastes: Free Fire captures the casual, meme-driven audience with vibrant flair, while PUBG champions the tactical, immersive battlefield for dedicated shooters. Whether you shout “Booyah!” or “Chicken Dinner!”, both titles dominate the mobile BR space in their own right. As new challengers emerge and platforms evolve, the “baap” debate will endure—fueling endless arguments, memes, and epic showdowns in the ever-expanding realm of online gaming.
Quick Question And Answers
Which game is best PUBG and Free Fire?
The word “best” between PUBG Mobile and Free Fire is subjective; It depends on individual preferences. PUBG Mobile generally offers a more realistic and user-experience with detailed graphics and complex mechanics. At the same time Free Fire is fast-paced, action-oriented gameplay and accessibility on lower-end devices.
“PUBG Ka Baap Kaun Hai” What Does This Mean?
A Hindi phrase means Who’s the Father of PUBG. It is a playful and somewhat aggressive way of asking which game is superior to PUBG Mobile. Their use in online gaming communities, particularly among other battle fans of royale games like Free Fire, is to express that their preferred game is better.
Which game came First PUBG or Free Fire?
PUBG Desktop was released on March 23, 2017, by Brenden. PUBG Mobile was released on March 19, 2018, and became everyone’s favourite.
On the other hand, Free Fire Genera was released on December 8, 2017. Both have their own features and user likeness.