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Neither game has been found to have copied the other in a court ruling. The public record establishes one hard fact: Free Fire launched as a mobile game before PUBG Mobile’s international release. Krafton, the company behind PUBG, has alleged that Free Fire copied aspects of Battlegrounds, and Garena denies it. The lawsuit was dismissed by stipulation, which means the court never decided whether copying happened.
What the launch dates show
Launch order is the one part of this question that official announcements settle. The two mobile releases compare as follows:
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
XBOX Wireless Gaming Controller | Carbon Black | $49.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Logitech G F310 Wired Gamepad Controller Console - Blue/Black | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
XBOX Wireless Gaming Controller | Shock Blue | $54.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
XBOX Wireless Gaming Controller + USB-C Cable | Carbon Black | $51.57 | Buy on Amazon |
| Item | Free Fire | PUBG Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Launch date stated | December 4, 2017, per Garena’s official launch notice | March 19, 2018, per the Tencent and PUBG Corp. announcement of its international release |
| Platforms named in the cited announcement | not stated in the cited launch notice | iOS and Android |
| How the company described the game | “Free Fire has been OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED on Dec 4.” | A mobile version of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds |
The comparison is between two mobile launches. Franchise history, such as the earlier PC version of PUBG, is a separate question and is not what the Free Fire launch date answers.
A release date tells you who shipped first. It does not tell you who invented a feature, a map layout, or a genre. Battle-royale rules were circulating across many games before either title, so a launch-order result cannot decide originality by itself.
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- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
What Krafton alleged
Krafton and PUBG Santa Monica filed suit on January 10, 2022, against Apple, Google, YouTube, Sea, and Garena entities. The complaint accuses Free Fire and Free Fire Max of copying aspects of Battlegrounds. According to the complaint, the similarities cover:
- the opening sequence of play
- overall game structure and how the game is played
- weapons and objects
- locations
- visual choices
These are the plaintiffs’ allegations. The complaint shows what Krafton claimed, not whether the claims are true. Describing a feature as “copied” in a news story is therefore a summary of the allegation, not a finding.
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- With broad game support, the Logitech Gamepad F310 works with old standbys to today's biggest titles, so it's easy to set up and use with your favorite games.
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Garena’s response
TechCrunch reported a Garena spokesperson’s reply to the lawsuit: “Krafton’s claims are groundless.” That is the company’s position, stated publicly, and it should be attributed to Garena. It is not a court conclusion.
What the court record shows
On July 30, 2024, the court granted the parties’ joint stipulation dismissing the Free Fire-related claims against the Apple, Google, YouTube, and Garena defendants, with prejudice. A dismissal with prejudice bars the same claims from being refiled. The order itself does not record a merits decision on whether copying occurred, and it does not disclose any settlement terms.
Rank #3
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
The most recent public record covered here is that July 30, 2024 order. Later filings or developments may exist and are not reflected in this article.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why the answer is narrower than the headline
The question “which game is copied” assumes a finding that has not been made. Three separate questions get blended together in it:
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- WIRED OR WIRELESS, YOUR CALL — Connect the included 9' USB-C cable for zero-setup wired play on console and PC. Go wireless when you want the freedom to play from the couch, the desk, or anywhere in between.
- PC READY. NO EXTRAS NEEDED — Plug the USB-C cable into your Windows PC and you're playing instantly. No adapters, no Bluetooth pairing, no additional purchases required. Works across the XBOX app, Steam, and more.*
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience sculpted surfaces and refined geometry designed around how you actually hold a controller. Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grip on the triggers, bumpers, and back case.
- UP TO 40 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 40 hours of wireless battery life on standard AA batteries. When the batteries run low, plug in the included cable and keep playing without missing a beat.*
- Which launched first? Free Fire, on the dates the two companies announced.
- What did the plaintiff allege? That Free Fire and Free Fire Max copied specific elements of Battlegrounds.
- What did a court decide? Nothing on the merits. The claims were dismissed by stipulation.
Answering the first question does not answer the second or third. Launching later does not make a game a copy, and launching first does not make it an original. Each question needs its own evidence.
If you want to check a copying claim yourself, look for three things: a dated primary statement from each company, the specific features alleged rather than the genre as a whole, and a court document that rules on those features. In this case, the first is available, the second is a complaint, and the third is a dismissal.
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Sources: Garena’s official launch notice (December 4, 2017); the Tencent and PUBG Corp. announcement of PUBG Mobile’s international launch (March 19, 2018); Krafton and PUBG Santa Monica’s complaint (filed January 10, 2022); the TechCrunch report of Garena’s response; and the court order granting the stipulated dismissal (July 30, 2024).
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