Yup, it’s happening. Bots are going to be joining your Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds matches—but only if you need some extra target practice. PUBG Corp say that bot opponents have been a “controversial topic” for the battle royale but that they think the widening skill gap between veteran players and the new chaff demands an easier entry to their murder islands. They’re relegated to the test servers for now but will likely be joining proper matches soon.
Having been introduced on consoles last month, bots are now making their debut on PUBG's PC test servers as part of update 7.2, and I think it's fair to say some players aren't very happy about it.
As explained by PUBG Corp, bots are being introduced in public matchmaking as a way to provide new players with easier targets and tackle the widening skill gap. Some have speculated, however, that it could also be a way to bulk up lobbies and reduce queue times due to declining player numbers.
In any case, PUBG Corp says the ratio of bots to humans is dynamic, meaning you'll likely see fewer bots at a higher level - although this also depends on the matchmaking pool for each server. Bot actions are currently limited to basics such as walking, running, crouching and shooting, but further actions are due to be added at a later date (including swimming, so watch out).
You know how it is. You think you’re into videogame soundtracks, then you go and hear someone perform ten of them on a Mongolian string instrument. I recently spent 20 minutes listening to a man do just that, and I think you should too.
Genius Jaavka is the man. The morin khuur is his instrument. Songs from Horizon Zero Dawn (coming to PC this summer), Mortal Kombat, Dota 2 and Fortnite are just some of the ones he treats us to. He’s really very good.
A new Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds in-universe documentary explores the history of a deserted dinosaur theme park with the perfect host: Jonathan Frakes. He’s recently escaped the shadow of playing William T. Riker on the sci-fi show Lexx, finding new fame for saying “Not this time” and “It’s a total fabrication!” in compilation videos of his time hosting 90s show Beyond Belief: Fact Or Fiction. Who better to probe the strange death of a mascot at the island of Vikendi’s Dinoland?
The small snowy map of Vikendi returned to Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds with the start of Season 7 today, having been pulled from rotation in January for improvements. They’ve removed a few villages, added more cover in places, reduced the amount of snow across a lot of the island, and, most importantly, rebuilt the scrappy old Dino Park (which I did already adore) as the larger and flashier Dinoland. While you can’t ride its rusty ferris wheel or the broken rollercoaster winding around a volcano, the overhaul has added something you can ride: new trains now trundling around the map. Pleasing.