PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) ranks among the best-selling, highest-grossing, and most-played video games ever. Its mobile versions surpassed one billion downloads by March 2021 and generated over $4.3 billion in revenue by December 2020. Originally published by Bluehole, now Krafton Inc., PUBG's explosive success attracted investments like Tencent Holdings' stake and spurred the creation of Krafton as a holding company. In 2020, it was the world's top-grossing game, captivating millions globally. Here's an in-depth look at the PUBG owner's net worth.
Founded in 2007 by Chang Byung-Gyu, Krafton Inc. (formerly Bluehole) owns PUBG. Ranked among South Korea's 50 richest in 2021, Chang's leadership drove the game's triumphs, including multiple "Game of the Year" nominations. PUBG sold over 70 million copies on PC and consoles in 2020 alone. In 2018, Tencent's $500 million investment for a 10% stake valued Krafton at $1 billion overnight.
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Per Business Today, Krafton's upcoming IPO could value founder Chang Byung-Gyu's stake at up to $3.5 billion at the high end of the range. The company aims to raise up to $4.9 billion in South Korea's largest IPO ever, with Chang retaining 14% ownership post-IPO.
Krafton filed for listing on the Korea Stock Exchange in April 2021, targeting a July IPO to raise 5.6 trillion won ($5 billion) at a $27.2 billion valuation. This follows Coupang's $4.6 billion raise, which minted founder Bom Kim a $6.9 billion fortune.
According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, CEO Kim Chang Han's stake could reach $336 million, founder Chang's wife Chung Seung-hye's up to $206 million, and Tencent's 13% stake up to $3.3 billion. Chang plans to donate shares worth 100 billion won to employees in gratitude. As PUBG's owner joins South Korea's billionaire ranks, it underscores the game's enduring impact.
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