'Please let my wife kill you': 99 strangers answered a dying gamer's plea — then a major developer did too

"I would like to make the absurd request that you let my wife 'kill' you." — from a post by a PUBG: Battlegrounds player, February this year

A husband's online plea asking fellow PUBG: Battlegrounds players to let his terminally ill wife score kills in the game drew wide attention recently — and it has since emerged that a Krafton employee quietly organized a fundraising campaign to help cover the couple's medical bills.

According to industry sources Thursday, a Krafton employee identified only as A launched a donation drive for the couple among colleagues in March. Some 210 Krafton employees responded, raising about 14 million won ($9,010) over one week. The funds were delivered through a charitable organization to help with medical expenses.

The story began on Feb. 18, when a man identified as B posted in a PUBG fan community under the title: "I want to give my wife, who doesn't have much time left, the most incredible gameplay of her life before she goes. Can you help?"

His wife had been diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer at just 31. Surgery and chemotherapy were no longer options. Facing the prospect of losing her, B set out to arrange what might be her last memorable moment. His wife had enjoyed PUBG but was not a skilled player, so he went looking for strangers willing to let her eliminate them.

PUBG drops roughly 100 players onto an isolated island in a battle royale format, where they fight to be the last one standing. When a player wins, the screen displays the game's signature victory message.

B asked for volunteers to let his wife — who had never managed more than five kills in a single match — eliminate them. Ninety-nine players answered the call. His wife went on to rack up 95 kills.

A scene from PUBG: Battlegrounds. [Krafton]

When the story spread, Krafton did not stay on the sidelines. Employee A launched the fundraiser on their own initiative, and colleagues rallied behind it. Kakao Games, which handles domestic distribution of PUBG, also sent the couple character merchandise as a show of support.

Sadly, the wife has since died, leaving behind B and their children. After the gaming event, B posted a message of gratitude to the PUBG community, Krafton and Kakao Games.

"My wife is happy. She is smiling. I can see that smile again — the happy smile I hadn't seen since she received her terminal diagnosis on the last day of last year. I can't stop the tears, even now. … Thank you for the precious time you gave so generously. I will carry it in my heart for the rest of my life and never forget it."

ko@heraldcorp.com