Tencent's PUBG Mobile Grossed More than Fortnite for the First Time in January

In January 2019, Tencent’s PUBG Mobile achieved a significant milestone by surpassing Epic Games’ Fortnite in global mobile revenue for the first time. PUBG Mobile generated approximately $45.2 million in worldwide player spending across the Apple App Store and Google Play, marking a 24 percent increase over its December performance. Conversely, Fortnite experienced a notable downturn, with monthly mobile revenue falling to $37.9 million, representing its largest month-over-month decline to date.

The analysis highlights a shift in the competitive landscape of the mobile battle royale genre. While PUBG Mobile’s revenue figures encompass both iOS and Android platforms, Fortnite’s data is restricted to the iOS ecosystem. Despite this disparity, the shift is noteworthy because PUBG Mobile had consistently trailed its competitor in monthly earnings since its launch. To date, PUBG Mobile has accumulated an estimated $242 million in global revenue, excluding the Chinese market where in-app purchases remain prohibited. In comparison, the mobile version of Fortnite has grossed over $500 million on iOS alone.

These findings are derived from Sensor Tower’s Store Intelligence platform, which tracks global mobile application performance. The data underscores a period of sustained growth for Tencent’s title, contrasting with the volatility observed in Fortnite’s mobile monetization during the same period. This performance shift reflects the evolving market dynamics within the mobile gaming sector as both titles continue to compete for player engagement and spending.