Krafton Inc. today detailed its PUBG: Battlegrounds collaboration with Tottenham Hotspur FC player and captain of the South Korean national team, Son Heung-min (aka Sonny).
The collaboration, which runs from July through October, includes an in-game event and the opportunity for players to earn or purchase exclusive Son-themed in-game items.
As part of the partnership, Krafton will also give away real-world Level 3 helmets autographed by Premier League footballer Son.
“After being a player of PUBG since its launch, I am thrilled to be able to work directly with Krafton on this amazing partnership,” said Son Heung-Min. “Krafton designed a character that looks just like me, and the skins mirror my style. I would love to win a chicken dinner with my character.”
In the Sonny Collaboration Event, from July 21st through August 3rd, players can participate in special in-game event missions to earn points that can be used to acquire exclusive Son-themed items like his Level 3 helmet and Contraband coupons. Players must own a copy of PUBG before July 21st to take part.
“After being a player of PUBG since its launch, Krafton designed a character that looks just like me, and the skins mirror my style. I would love to win a chicken dinner with my character.”
Son Heung-Min, Tottenham Hotspur
If players aren’t able to complete the above Event Missions, they will still have the chance to purchase Son-themed cosmetic items in-game from July 21st to October 20th. A total of 13 distinct items will be available for purchase, which include but are not limited to Son’s hair and face (sold as a set), two sets of Son-themed clothes, two sets of Son-themed emotes and two weapons.
Players who earn the in-game Son-themed Level 3 helmet during the Sonny Collaboration Event period will be automatically entered for the chance to win one of five real-world Level 3 helmets autographed by Son. Results will be announced on August 11th at https://battlegrounds.pubg.com.
PUBG has partnered with other celebs in the past. Actor Jonathan Frakes (who plays Commander Riker in Star Trek) was hired to act in a PUBG lore video last month, for example.
Last month, British esports host Frankie Ward was added to strategy game Humankind as an in-game avatar.
Related article: 32 teams to take part in $3m charity PUBG Mobile World Invitational, including UK side Lakonostra MVP
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
