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The Economic Times
The Economic Times
Trending Desk

PUBG-inspired mall battles: Chinese Gen Z turns shopping centres into real-life battlefields

Young people in China are transforming shopping malls into large-scale battle royale gaming zones, blending digital gameplay with physical activity in a trend inspired by popular titles such as PUBG and Peacekeeper Elite.

The augmented reality-powered events are being organised in cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Qingdao, where participants use dedicated technology to recreate video game mechanics in real-world environments.

AR technology brings video game concepts to life

According to reports, the sessions are held during off-hours or periods of low foot traffic, allowing players to use mall corridors and open spaces as immersive gaming arenas.

Participants are equipped with specialised augmented reality sensors connected to a dedicated application. The technology replicates familiar battle royale features, including shrinking safe zones, poison circles and team-based combat scenarios.

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