Imagine a world where the internet isn't just a flat, two-dimensional space of text and images, but a fully immersive 3D universe—what if this was not just a dream but the bold vision of Brendan "PlayerUnknown" Greene, the mastermind behind PUBG? And here’s the twist—he claims to be on the verge of reshaping the very fabric of the internet itself. Sounds almost unbelievable? Well, buckle up because the story gets even more fascinating.
Brendan Greene, an Irish innovator whose name is synonymous with the revolutionary battle royale genre, has a history steeped in transforming gaming experiences. From his early experiments with the Arma 3 mod to the development of H1Z1, and eventually his colossal hit PUBG, Greene has demonstrated an extraordinary capacity to conceptualize and realize groundbreaking ideas. Now, with a dream bigger than any before—he aims to reinvent the internet on an Earth-scale, multiplayer, 3D level.
Yes, you read that right. Greene envisions a future where the core protocol of our online world—HTTP—is replaced by a dynamic, immersive 3D version. He wants to establish a sprawling digital environment that acts like an expanded, interactive internet—one where millions of people can share, explore, and interact in vast, detailed worlds. Think of it as an evolution—a parallel universe—built with the intent to transform how we connect and experience digital spaces.
This ambitious project is the culmination of over a decade of research, experimentation, and development. Since stepping away from PUBG in 2019, Greene founded PlayerUnknown Productions in Amsterdam, initially working on innovative 'special projects' for South Korean gaming giant Krafton. Eventually, his studio gained independence, with Krafton continuing to support his ventures.
The grand plan involves creating three interconnected games, each serving as a technological stepping stone toward the ultimate goal: the ability to generate planetary-scale virtual worlds capable of hosting millions of players simultaneously. Greene describes this vision as “building HTTP in 3D,” a kind of infrastructure that supports shared, persistent, and massive digital environments.
The first phase is already underway with a project titled 'Prologue: Go Wayback.' This survival and navigation game transports players into forested landscapes where they must deal with environmental challenges—freezing, overheating, starvation, dehydration, and the risks of falling and breaking bones. It’s a blend of tactical survival and exploration, meant to test the underlying terrain-generation technology. Not only is it fun to play, but it also demonstrates the capability to generate detailed, dynamic worlds swiftly and efficiently. During gameplay, the environment can morph from tranquil forests to muddy swamps, thanks to systems like weather and terrain physics. Currently, 'Prologue: Go Wayback' is available for open beta testing, launching officially in early access on November 20.
Importantly, the tech behind this game isn’t just for entertainment—Greene emphasizes that it’s a foundational tool to build increasingly larger worlds. Although each world is currently limited to an 8x8 kilometer area—miles shy of Earth's nearly 200 million square miles—it’s a crucial initial step toward larger-scale virtual environments.
Looking ahead, the second game in the series is a multiplayer shooter, designed to explore and refine gameplay in these expansive worlds. The third will push the boundaries even further, promising exponentially larger environments, potentially incorporating features like marketplaces, economic systems, and social layers—much like a digital universe with financial and social infrastructure.
Central to Greene’s vision is his proprietary engine, Melba, which is actively supporting these ambitious world-generation goals. While it currently handles broad, planet-sized worlds, detailed terrain creation is still a work in progress.
Greene openly acknowledges that creating this futuristic 'Holodeck'—a fully immersive, interactive universe—is a step-by-step process. Given the reality of limited resources and the need for careful testing, he stresses the importance of incremental development over rushed launches. This strategic pacing ensures the technology can be refined and scaled responsibly.
Relaxing the focus on monetization, Greene has stated he intends to keep this revolutionary platform free and open-source, advocating for a management structure akin to a foundation rather than a profit-driven corporation. His reasoning? If the goal is to reinvent the internet, it can’t be confined by corporate interests that would prioritize earnings over accessibility. Instead, sharing the technology openly would empower other teams, scientists, and developers to contribute in creating this interconnected universe.
This daring endeavor inevitably sparks debate, especially considering the recent trajectory of tech giants like Facebook—now Meta—whose own metaverse ambitions have faced criticism and stagnation. Will Greene’s smaller, more passionate team succeed in crafting a more open, accessible, and sustainable virtual universe where others can contribute and expand? Or will the scale and complexity prove overwhelming?
And here’s the part most people miss—Greene’s plans are still in their infancy. The first game is just launching, with two more years of development ahead before these mega-worlds might truly materialize. Will he maintain his relentless pursuit amid the inevitable hurdles, or will the vision remain a lofty, if inspiring, dream?
What do you think? Is Greene’s vision a breakthrough that could redefine our digital future, or is it an overly ambitious gamble? Are you excited about the prospect of a true 3D internet, or skeptical about whether such a massive project can succeed? Share your thoughts below—because this is a conversation worth having.
