PUBG Mobile is collaborating with Balenciaga and it makes no sense

PUBG Mobile is collaborating with controversial fashion house Balenciaga. Because that makes total sense in the gritty, war-torn world of PUBG. 

PUBG Mobile recently received some stylish cosmetics inspired by Balenciaga's 2025 Winter collection. This includes the Couture Armor set, Winter 25 Corseed Hoodie set, Winter 25 Pink Puffer set, and Winter 25 standard set. There are also sunglasses, a faux fur helmet, a backpack, a parachute... 

Why is Balenciaga in PUBG Mobile? 

The Balenciaga collaboration arrived in-game on November 14th and will be here until December 14th. That's when it goes out of fashion. Meanwhile, there will be activations in the PC version and in real life, with Balenciaga stores in various countries selling PUBG Mobile clothing. 

"Balenciaga’s collaboration with PUBG — consisting of in-game content, merch, and gifts for the winners of this year’s official tournaments — pinpoints a convergence between the cultural roles of fashion, gaming, and eSports, particularly their shared interests in creativity, technology, and found community," Balenciaga itself wrote. 

Yes, they used "eSports" with a capital "S." Ug. 

I just looked it up and the real PUBG clothing you can get is pretty pathetic. There's a plain black t-shirt with a tiny logo on the chest. Guess how much it is...

I'll give you three more seconds...

Yep, $750! 

There's also a $750 backpack and a $550 hat. Both also plain black with a logo. Innovation at its finest. Get these on the runway ASAP. 

“Through our collaboration with Balenciaga, Battlegrounds is evolving beyond just a game into a platform where players can freely express their individuality and style,” said Taeseok Jang, Head of PUBG Studio and Head of PUBG IP Franchise. “This collaboration is an opportunity to further expand this vision and become a symbolic moment where fashion and gaming come together to create new inspiration.”

Like yes, it technically combines gaming, esports, and fashion. But does it actually accomplish anything? We're basically getting a plain black t-shirt in real life and then a bunch of goofy clothing in a game that's already becoming oversaturated with silly cosmetics that take us out of the action.  

Head of PUBG Mobile Publishing at Tencent Games, Vincent Wang, noted that this is a way for players to "express themselves." Because I know so many gamers have been dying to wear a fuzzy helmet in a serious battle royale shooter. 

But anyway, get ready for the PUBG Global Championship and the PUBG Mobile GLobal Championship from December 12th to the 14th. The winning teams will get a bomber jacket designed by Balenciaga, which I am sure is very motivating.