Pure stress: We play "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds" with a heart rate monitor

Philipp Rüegg

1.6.2017

Translation: machine translated

"PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds" is the new hot shit. No wonder: the multiplayer matches of the online shooter offer the very finest thrills. My self-experiment with a heart rate monitor shows just how nerve-wracking the game really is.

On Steam, "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds" is currently one of the most played games. Behind the somewhat unwieldy name lies an ingenious last-man-standing game. What began as a mod for the military simulation "ARMA 3" has now been released as a stand-alone game - initially in the alpha phase.

Up to 100 players can blow their brains out with all kinds of weapons on a huge island in "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds". The player still standing at the end wins. The game principle is simple and strongly reminiscent of films such as "Battle Royale" or, for that matter, "Hunger Games".

You are flown to the island in an aeroplane. When you want to jump out is up to you. My tactic is usually to wait until the vast majority are outside and then look for a quiet place to land. After landing, you first have to find weapons and equipment. As all the doors to the houses are locked at the beginning, you need to be particularly careful when the front doors are open. Although there are medikits and the like, they don't work immediately, which is why a few well-aimed shots can quickly lead to premature death. Then you have to start from scratch again. You can use the points you earn to purchase cosmetic items after the game. This means that all players always have the same requirements.

Rambos have a hard time

Sneaking is usually the order of the day. Shots or even footsteps can easily give away your position. That's why you're constantly on your guard and your nerves are on edge. At the latest when the player indicator drops below 30, your heart starts pounding. If, with a bit of luck, you actually make it into the top ten or even the last five, then I'm probably not the only one fighting with trembling hands. If you emerge victorious at some point, all the pressure is released in a relieving: "YEEEESSSS".

At the pulse of the game

In my highlight video, you can look over my shoulder as I throw myself into the fray and my heart rate goes up and down. Unfortunately, I placed the camera of the heart rate monitor, a Garmin Forerunner 735XT, right above the player display, which is why you can only see my position at the end - sorry, right?

"PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds" is currently only available to purchase via Steam.

Do you also game "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds"? Does your heart beat faster at the mere mention of a name? And I don't mean out of affection - ok, maybe a little. Or are you so hardened that your heartbeat even undercuts that of a blue whale?

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Philipp Rüegg

Senior Editor

Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.ch

Being the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur. more

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