Bullets and bandages, energy drinks and flash grenades —what do they have in common? They all feature in the wildly popular ‘Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds’ (PUBG), and they all have real-world counterparts that involve polymers. But what role do polymers play in this globally acclaimed battle royale game?
PUBG has become a ubiquitous part of popular culture since its release in 2017, engaging millions of players worldwide with its blend of combat tactics, survival instincts, and immersive environments. Simultaneously, it’s been teaching players about science and engineering, albeit unconsciously. The hidden science lesson tag takes us to polymers —a broad class of materials often used in everyday life but lesser-known in the context of video games.
A polymer is pubg cross platform xbox and pc a large molecule or a macromolecule formed from many repeated subunit molecules. These subunits are aptly termed ‘monomers.’ In reality, polymers make up numerous products we use daily, from the clear and tough polycarbonate in CDs to flexible and lightweight polyethylene in shopping bags. In PUBG, these polymers exist virtually to shape the gaming reality.
Take, for instance, the various kinds of gear, weapons, and items available for players to loot in the game. The level 1, 2, and 3 helmets and vests that players don are made of polymer materials like Kevlar and polyethylene, emulating the properties of real-world bullet-proof vests. They’re designed to provide increasing levels of protection, mirroring the impact resistance and durability of their real-world counterparts made from high-strength synthetic fibers — polymers. These items play a pivotal role in the game, providing protection and increasing survival chances in a firefight.
Next up are the healing and boost items, which include bandages, energy drinks, painkillers, and med kits. The bandages are typically made from cotton, a natural polymer consisting of cellulose, while the containers for the energy drink and painkillers are modeled after real-life aluminum cans and plastic bottles — both products of polymers.
Furthermore, the game’s firearms and grenades see the use of polymers in a more high-strength, high-temperature arena. From the plastic handles and polymer composites in various weapons to the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coating on the flash grenade, polymer applications in PUBG span a broad spectrum.
Even the parachutes, quintessential to the PUBG experience, are made from nylon —a strong, lightweight polymer. Not to forget, imperceptible things like wire insulation in electrical stuff that one might find scattered around the game’s expansive maps are also products of polymers.
Recognizing these virtual polymers in PUBG not only enhances the gaming experience but also underscores the significance of polymers in everyday life – be it in video games or the physical world around us. PUBG serves as a unique platform for illustrating the pervasiveness and utility of polymers – despite the game’s primary aim to emphasize strategic survival. It’s a subtle nod to science and engineering that enhances both realism and enjoyment, reminding players that while they might spend hours immersed in the digital world, real-world laws and materials still ground them.
In conclusion, while PUBG continues to enthrall players with its gripping gameplay, it also, perhaps unintentionally, educates them about the fascinating world of polymers. Indeed, the extensive application of polymers, even in virtual battlegrounds, reinforces their integral role in crafting our immediate environment.
