The famous play games

The Great Khali

A new three-part video series features popular figures from the entertainment industry playing the online multiplayer battle royale game, PUBG. Who wants to watch gamers recording themselves while playing the game when celebs fly into the virtual world of the game and bring with them their distinct personality.

Designed as a precursor to PUBG: New State, the series stars wrestler The Great Khali, VJ Rannvijay Singh, comedians Kaneez Surka, Tanmay Bhat, Rohan Joshi and Zakir Khan, e-sports player Sc0ut (Tanmay Singh), influencers Awez Darbar, Meethika Dwivedi (Mr Faisu), actor Kubbra Sait and rapper Raftaar.

Divided into teams of two, the series titled PUBG: New State Chronicles sees them challenge each other at prime locations like the Exhibit Hall, The Mall and Lab to emphasise the distinct aspects of the video game. To make the content relatable, they have added the unique style of each influencer to their gaming personas while also simplifying the gameplay. For instance, in one of the scenes where Joshi and Sait are teamed with Mr Faisu and Raftaar, they explain a move called Jiggle Peak. In another scene featuring Zakir Khan, a parallel is drawn between cooking a grenade and biryani.

A screenshot of the video featuring Rohan Joshi and Kubbra Sait playing PUBG

"The idea was to seamlessly blend the world of gaming with other major categories of entertainment in India like music, Bollywood, comedy and dance. The best way to do this was to bring on board these creators," shares Manthan Gada, Group Head - Global Creator Network, OML Entertainment, who is the mastermind behind the videos.

The team at OML scripted the actual gameplay on a storyboard before shooting with these creators. The screenplay shows them playing games while waiting for their appointments, between shoots or simply chilling at home. But it keeps switching back to the 3-D version of the game. This almost life-like 3-D animation has been done using Unreal Engine, a real-time 3D creation tool, making it different from any of the broadcast gameplays that can be found on YouTube.

To attract the gamers, the makers have also incorporated cheat codes that can be used to perform a new trick or explore a new feature. But what made them bring this unique combination of star cast together? "Gamers got to see their favourite YouTube and Pro gamers walk shoulder to shoulder with celebrities from the music, television and comedy world. It paved the way for mainstream representation for the gaming community," adds Gada.

WHAT: PUBG: New State Chronicles
WHERE: YouTube/New State Mobile India