PUBG Mobile reveals PMCO 2022, format changes
PUBG Mobile is set to host the PUBG Mobile Club Open (PMCO) 2022 and registration for the competition has begun from March 31 to April 13.
Previously, Tencent initially planned PMCO to be a direct entrance for the Pro Leagues, but after several considerations, now PMCO serves as a regional platform competition for the game’s amateur and semi-pro players. Additionally, PMCO this year features a total prize pool of $600,000.
“PUBG MOBILE Club Open 2022 showcases the best PUBG MOBILE Players and Squads among the 6 regions across the world. The PMCO 2022 is regarded as the gateway to joining the world’s largest mobile esports event, the PUBG MOBILE GLOBAL CHAMPIONSHIP, for anyone who wants to play PUBG MOBILE competitively and start their esports career,” Tencent said in a statement.
“If you think you are one of the best and want to show your skills, you are welcome to bring your squad and register to take part in this year-long battle! A great journey awaits you. Join us. Be #1!”
Reportedly, PMCO this year will take place in six regions so far, such as North America, South America (including Brazil and Latin America), Africa, Middle East, Asia (South Asia and “Asia regional wildcard”), and lastly Europe (including Turkey).
Gateways to PUBG Mobile Pro Leagues, format changes
PMCO this year is an open-for-all competition, meaning that everyone from around the world, which is in accordance with regions included, may participate. After demoting PMCO to cater to more amateur and semi-professional players, Tencent plans to integrate PUBG Mobile Esports 2.0, following the announcement in January 2022.
PUBG Mobile Esports 2.0 in PMCO will also feature quite a number of overhauls to the competition, but most changes will affect the competition’s overall format. In other words, PMCO is one of the three gateways aspiring players may take to enter the Pro Leagues, the other two are Campus Championships (PMCC) and select run third-party events. These will run throughout the year, with the end goal finally leading to the big leagues.
Moreover, top-performing teams from the “entry” competitions above, will proceed to the National Championships (PMNC) and regional tournaments by the end of the year. The decision took a different route than the previous ones where players from PMCOs may proceed directly to Pro Leagues.
According to Tencent director of esports James Yang, in an interview in late January this year, Tencent appears to have put heavy emphasis on regional cups, where regional cups have been planned to include regions with fewer player bases. Therefore, a separate National Championships may run there.
The exact number of PMNCs this year is to be held in 11 countries and the regional cup in eight regions.
As for the PUBG Mobile Pro Leagues (PMPL), top teams from the PMNCs and regional tournaments will continue to the grand competition.
This year, PMPL is set to feature two seasons, whereas the bottom teams in the first will not proceed to the second. Reportedly, PMPL is scheduled to take place in 2023 after PMNCs and regional cups have been concluded by the end of this year.
Other than that, changes are employed for PMPL’s regions, where EMEA, MENA and South Asia regions will be combined in a single PMPL. While the other regions, namely Pakistan and Africa are introduced to a separated PMPL.
