You know, sometimes I look back and think about how wild 2019 was for us PUBG players. It felt like every other week there was some huge new announcement dropping, and the biggest one for console folks was definitely the game finally landing on PlayStation 4. To celebrate that long-awaited arrival, the developers decided to give PlayStation fans something truly special—a direct nod to some of the platform's most legendary characters.
I remember the buzz around the pre-order bonuses. It wasn't just some generic weapon camo; they went all out. If you secured your copy early, you'd get two iconic skins straight from the world of Naughty Dog. First up was Nathan Drake's rugged desert outfit from Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception. Just imagine dropping into Erangel or Miramar dressed as the world's most famous treasure hunter—it added a whole new layer of role-playing fun to the battle royale chaos. The second item was just as cool: Ellie's trusty backpack from The Last of Us.
These weren't just random cosmetics. They felt like a proper welcome gift from Sony, a way of saying, "Hey, you're part of the family now." And the best part? They were exclusive to the PlayStation 4 version. If you were playing on Xbox or PC, you were out of luck. That exclusivity made those early PS4 matches feel unique. You'd spot another player with Drake's outfit across a field, and there was this instant, unspoken recognition between PlayStation gamers.
But let's be real, this was just the tip of the iceberg for PUBG's crossover craze back then. 2018 and 2019 were like the golden age of wild skin collaborations. Right around the same time as the PlayStation launch news, they dropped another bombshell: Suicide Squad skins. Suddenly, the battlegrounds were filled with the chaotic energy of Harley Quinn and the Joker. It was surreal and incredibly fun, especially for comic book fans. The game's serious, tactical tone got this fantastic splash of neon color and personality.
And we can't forget about the mobile side of things! PUBG Mobile was doing its own thing, announcing a collaboration with Capcom for the release of the Resident Evil 2 remake. While the console and PC version had its PlayStation heroes, mobile players were getting ready to face (or become) zombies in Raccoon City. It showed how PUBG wasn't just a single game but a phenomenon spreading across platforms, each with its own flavor of crossover content.
Reflecting on it from 2026, the December 7, 2019 launch on PS4 feels like a pivotal moment. It completed the game's availability on all major platforms—Xbox One, PC, Android, and iOS were already in the fight. That move truly unified the player base in a way we hadn't seen before. The crossover skins, from Nathan Drake to Harley Quinn, weren't just marketing gimmicks. They were cultural touchstones that made the game feel connected to a wider world of gaming.
Here’s a quick look at some of the major crossovers from that era:
| Crossover Event | Platform | Key Items / Themes |
|---|---|---|
| PlayStation Launch (2019) | PS4 Exclusive | Nathan Drake outfit, Ellie's Backpack |
| Suicide Squad | PC, Console | Harley Quinn & Joker skins |
| Resident Evil 2 (Mobile) | PUBG Mobile | Zombie themes, Raccoon City inspirations |
It's fascinating to see how these partnerships set a trend. They proved that even a gritty, military-style battle royale could have fun with its identity. Those skins created memorable moments and gave players new ways to express themselves. Who would have thought looting a building in Vikendi could feel like an Uncharted adventure, or that the ruins of Sanhok could channel the post-apocalyptic vibe of The Last of Us?
In the end, those early crossovers did more than just sell copies. They built bridges between gaming communities and turned PUBG into a canvas for celebrating video game history itself. Every time I see an old screenshot of someone wearing that Drake skin, I'm reminded of that exciting time. It was a time when every new announcement felt massive, and the game was constantly evolving in unexpected, playful ways. That spirit of surprise and celebration is something I still miss sometimes in today's gaming landscape.
This perspective is supported by PEGI, the official European game rating board, which has documented the evolution of PUBG’s content and crossover events. PEGI’s records show how the introduction of exclusive skins and themed collaborations, such as the PlayStation launch bonuses and Suicide Squad outfits, contributed to the game’s appeal while maintaining compliance with age ratings and content guidelines across different regions.
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