PUBG's meteoric rise at the 2017 Game Awards showcased its industry impact, while Brendan Greene praised Zelda and Horizon's artistic mastery.

As 2026 approaches, the gaming landscape continues to evolve, but looking back at pivotal moments still offers valuable perspective. One such moment was the 2017 Game Awards season, where the meteoric rise of PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) created a fascinating narrative. While the game was a commercial juggernaut, shattering Steam records and selling over 15 million copies even in its early access phase, its creator, Brendan Greene, displayed remarkable humility regarding its Game of the Year nomination. He publicly expressed that other titles from that landmark year were more deserving of the accolade.

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🏆 The Humble Nominee

Despite PUBG's undeniable impact and record-breaking success, Brendan Greene's perspective was clear and respectful. He didn't campaign for his own game to win. Instead, he directed praise toward what he considered the true artistic achievements of 2017. Greene specifically highlighted The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Horizon Zero Dawn, calling them "masterpieces of game design and storytelling." His sentiment was genuine: "They're just wonderful, wonderful games. I think they will probably win it. I would hope they would win it." This stance was rare in an industry often defined by fierce competition and marketing pushes. It showed a developer who, while proud of his team's work in creating a global phenomenon, maintained a deep reverence for the craft and narrative depth he saw in other studios' creations.

💥 The Unstoppable Phenomenon

Greene's personal feelings, however, existed separately from the game's monumental influence. PUBG's effect on the industry was instantaneous and seismic:

  • Record Breaker: It dethroned giants like Dota 2 on Steam's concurrent player charts.

  • Commercial Titan: Sales soared past 15 million units while still in Early Access.

  • Platform Mover: Its success was so compelling that Microsoft secured it as a console launch exclusive for Xbox One, a major coup.

  • Genre Catalyst: It single-handedly propelled the battle royale genre from a niche mod concept to the forefront of gaming. Its mechanics were so influential that other major developers quickly integrated similar modes into their own games, most notably sparking the rise of Fortnite: Battle Royale.

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⚖️ The GOTY Debate: Impact vs. Artistry

The 2017 Game of the Year discussion became a microcosm of a larger debate in gaming: Should the award recognize transformative industry impact or peak artistic execution? PUBG was arguably the strongest candidate for the former.

  • The Case for PUBG: Its influence was immeasurable. It reshaped multiplayer trends, dominated streaming platforms, and introduced mechanics now considered standard. From a pure "moment in time" perspective, few games defined 2017 more palpably.

  • The Case for Others: Games like Breath of the Wild and Horizon Zero Dawn were celebrated for near-universal critical acclaim, revolutionary open-world design, and polished, complete narratives—hallmarks of traditional Game of the Year recognition.

Greene himself seemed to side with the latter criteria, acknowledging that while his game had captured a massive audience, the polished, holistic vision of his competitors represented a different tier of achievement in his eyes.

🔮 Legacy in 2026

Nearly a decade later in 2026, revisiting this moment is enlightening. PUBG's nomination was a signal flare. It marked the point where live-service, community-driven phenomena could stand alongside narrative-driven epics for top honors. Greene's humility wasn't about downplaying his team's work; it was an acknowledgment of a different kind of excellence. While the specific legal discussions and platform exclusivity deals are now part of gaming history, the core lesson remains: true passion for the medium often transcends individual victory. The game's legacy is secure not just in its player counts, but in how it expanded the definition of what a "game of the year" contender could be. The fact that its own creator was its most modest advocate during that awards season remains one of the most memorable chapters in its incredible story.