Collaboration fever is sweeping the gaming industry. While many developers chase clout by linking up with external titans or popular products, there’s a growing trend of 'internal collaborations,' where companies push their own titles to lift one another up. Fans have been surprisingly warm to this self-synergy strategy.

Krafton is taking this to the esports arena with a massive internal collaboration. Running until December 14 in Bangkok, Thailand, the publisher is hosting the global championships for both PUBG and PUBG Mobile simultaneously. Dubbed 'PUBG UNITED,' the event aims to unify the vision and community of both esports scenes under one banner.

Specifically, the 'PUBG Global Championship (PGC)' and the 'PUBG Mobile Global Championship (PMGC)'—the premier global stages for each game—will share the spotlight. Both events are the definitive battlegrounds to crown this year's ultimate champions.

The PGC 2025, which decides the PUBG champion, kicks off in Bangkok from November 28 to December 14. The group stage runs from November 28 to December 3, followed by the Last Chance stage from December 5 to 7. The grand final showdown to determine the winner is slated for December 12 to 14.

PUBG esports teams earn their spot based on year-long regional and global performance, culminating in the PGC. This year, 33 teams from around the globe will battle it out for the trophy.

Six South Korean teams are heading to this year's PGC. Representing the top 8 of the PUBG Global Series (PGS) points are Danawa e-sports and Gen.G. Danawa has shown impressive form with back-to-back runner-up finishes at PGS 7 and 8, while Gen.G secured second place at the Esports World Cup (EWC) this year. They are joined by four teams from the Korean regional league (PWS): T1, Baegopa, FN Phocen, and Azla Pentagram, with T1 notably standing out in international competitions this year.

They will face stiff international competition. Saudi Arabian powerhouse Twisted Minds, fresh off wins at both EWC and PGS 9, leads the pack alongside global series champions like China’s 17 Gaming, Russia’s BB Team, and Virtus.pro. Traditional giants like Team Falcons, Petrichor Road, Four Angry Men, FaZe Clan, and Natus Vincere are also in the mix. It will be fascinating to see who claims the title in the first PGC to be held in tandem with PUBG Mobile.

Meanwhile, the PMGC kicked off on the 24th to find the year's top PUBG Mobile squad, with the grand final taking place concurrently with the PGC from December 12 to 14. The PMGC is structured into three distinct phases. The first, 'The Gauntlet,' features 16 teams selected from regional leagues, with the top 7 advancing directly to the grand final. DRX will represent South Korea here.

The second phase, the group stage, pits teams that missed the cut in The Gauntlet against other regional runners-up, with 32 teams split into two groups. The top 3 from each group—6 teams total—advance to the grand final. South Korea's Dplus KIA joins in this stage. Those who stumble in The Gauntlet and the group stage get one final lifeline in the Last Chance stage, where two remaining tickets are up for grabs. These survivors, along with host nation Thailand’s VPE, complete the 16-team grand final lineup.

PUBG is all about the battle royale tension where you never know who will 'eat the chicken' until the very end. The esports scene mirrors this with dynamic comeback mechanics; both the PMGC's 'last chance' pathways and the PGC's 'last chance stage' ensure that teams remain hungry and fans stay glued to the screen until the final circle.

As mentioned, both grand finals will be held under the 'PUBG UNITED' banner at the heart of Bangkok, Siam Paragon.

Krafton aims to combine the esports expertise garnered from both PUBG titles to offer fans a fresh experience. The opening ceremony promises a spectacle, featuring a PUBG-themed opening show and live performances of official anthems.

Beyond the grand finals, there’s plenty to do. The PUBG UNITED Fan Zone will operate on-site in Bangkok, offering exhibition spaces, collaborative content with global brands, and various interactive events. Fans can also hit the official merchandise store, join meet-and-greets, and visit the Champion Wall. Online viewers aren't left out, with broadcast rewards and 'pick-em' challenges available globally.

A Krafton spokesperson remarked, "PUBG UNITED is the culmination of the passion and support fans have poured into PUBG esports over the years. We are excited to provide an integrated esports experience where fans worldwide can celebrate together." Whether this bold experiment in IP synergy pays off remains to be seen, but the real question is: who will be the ones to lift the trophies at this landmark event?