Sep 6, 2023

PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS - [PUBG]Kar98K

Hello players!

Welcome to the ninth Store update of 2023. September's Store update introduces the Bad Bunnies Collection, [PROGRESSIVE] Bunny Patrol - Mk12 with a new skin type Chroma, and the return of Mr. Ma, Harley Quinn, and the Joker!

Also, keep an eye out for additional items that'll be added to the Store!

New Items and Skins

※ The items shown below may reappear through other in-game platforms (such as the Workshop, Your Shop, etc.) and/or events and promotions even after their sales periods.

※ The sales periods shown below are subject to change.

The Suicide Squad Returns

"Hi guys, sorry I'm late!"

Step into the chaotic world of mischief and mayhem as the infamous duo, Harley Quinn and the Joker, makes a sensational return to the battlegrounds! This villainous pair is back in action after a five-year hiatus at the passionate requests of players. Prepare to embody their electrifying personas and wreak havoc in style.

※ Multiple purchase discounts do not apply.

Sales Period

PC
- UTC: September 27, 2 AM - October 25, 2 AM
- KST: September 27, 11 AM - October 25, 11 AM
Console
- UTC: September 27, 4 AM - October 25, 4 AM
- KST: September 27, 1 PM - October 25, 1 PM

Bad Bunnies Collection

Be on the lookout for the uncontrollable Bad Bunnies on the battlegrounds!

Sales Period

PC
- UTC: September 6, After live server maintenance - November 8, 2 AM
- KST: September 6, After live server maintenance - November 8, 11 AM
Console
- UTC: September 14, After live server maintenance - November 16, 4 AM
- KST: September 14, After live server maintenance - November 16, 1 PM

Weapon Skin Update

Hideout Updates

Contraband Crate
- To provide a wider variety of obtainable items, the items that compose the Contraband Crates have been updated.
Scrap Broker
- Contraband Coupon is now obtainable with 2 scrap, with a weekly cap of 10 purchases.

Hideout: Contraband Crate

This month's Contraband Crates feature [PROGRESSIVE] Bunny Patrol - Mk12 along with Chroma, a new type of skin that allows you to modify the color and effects of your Progressive Weapon Skins. Read more about Chroma in Patch Notes - Update 25.2!

※ The unlockable cosmetics for PROGRESSIVE Weapon Skins can be found on the Hideout - Weapon page.

※ The probabilities for items obtainable from Contraband Crates can be found on the Hideout - Contraband - More Details - Probability to acquire page.

Sales Period

PC
- UTC: September 6, After live server maintenance - February 7, 2024, 2 AM
- KST: September 6, After live server maintenance - February 7, 2024, 11 AM
Console
- UTC: September 14, After live server maintenance - February 15, 2024, 4 AM
- KST: September 14, After live server maintenance - February 15, 2024, 1 PM

Hideout: Scrap Broker

New Items

[CHROMA] Bunny Patrol - Mk12 (Purple)
[PROGRESSIVE] Bunny Patrol - Mk12

Sales Period

PC
- UTC: September 6, After live server maintenance - February 7, 2024, 2 AM
- KST: September 6, After live server maintenance - February 7, 2024, 11 AM
Console
- UTC: September 14, After live server maintenance - February 15, 2024, 4 AM
- KST: September 14, After live server maintenance - February 15, 2024, 1 PM

2 Phut Hon (Kaiz Remix) & The Magic Bomb

Don't miss out on the 2 Phut Hon (Kaiz Remix) and the Magic Bomb emotes!

Sales Period

PC
- UTC: September 27, 2 AM - October 25, 2 AM
- KST: September 27, 11 AM - October 25, 11 AM
Console
- UTC: September 27, 4 AM - October 25, 4 AM
- KST: September 27, 1 PM - October 25, 1 PM

Return of Mr. Ma

Uh-oh.. Looks like Mr. Ma has just returned to the battlegrounds!

※ Multiple purchase discounts do not apply.

Sales Period

PC
- UTC: September 20, 2 AM - October 18, 2 AM
- KST: September 20, 11 AM - October 18, 11 AM
Console
- UTC: September 20, 4 AM - October 18, 4 AM
- KST: September 20, 1 PM - October 18, 1 PM

PGC 2022 CHAMP'S SET - NAVI

Get ready for an epic reveal! Celebrating the grand winners of the PUBG Global Championship 2022, Natus Vincere, the exclusive Champion Skins are about to drop!

Sales Period

PC
- UTC: September 27, 2 AM - October 25, 2 AM
- KST: September 27, 11 AM - October 25, 11 AM
Console
- UTC: September 27, 4 AM - October 25, 4 AM
- KST: September 27, 1 PM - October 25, 1 PM

New Emotes

A brand new emote that will spread your name across the battlegrounds has arrived, along with a new Victory Dance!

Human Billboard

Sales Start Date

PC
- UTC: September 6, After live server maintenance
- KST: September 6, After live server maintenance
Console
- UTC: September 14, After live server maintenance
- KST: September 14, After live server maintenance

Victory Dance 118

Sales Period

PC
- UTC: September 6, After live server maintenance - July 10, 2024, 2 AM
- KST: September 6, After live server maintenance - July 10, 2024, 11 AM
Console
- UTC: September 14, After live server maintenance - July 18, 2024, 4 AM
- KST: September 14, After live server maintenance - July 18, 2024, 1 PM

Have fun shopping!

PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS Team

Sep 5, 2023

PUBG Care Package - Additional Q&A

PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS - [****] UZI

Hello players.

On August 25th, we presented the first episode of PUBG Care Package - a live developer talk - for the South Korean region. During the live stream, our In-game Unit Director, Tae-hyun Kim, joined us for a heart-to-heart conversation to address a number of topics that players have been asking about. Before we delve into the details, we'd like to explain why this live stream was directed to a specific region.

Since PUBG is offered to an international audience, our content is usually curated for a global audience. However, when it comes to real-time, two-way interactive content, language barriers present a challenge to covering all regions simultaneously. As we explored more effective means of genuine communication, it dawned on us that the foremost priority is to talk with our players in a timely manner. Hence, we had to start with what we could do at the moment.

Consequently, we piloted the first episode of PUBG Care Package in South Korea, and now we're aiming to gradually extend our live developer talks by encompassing the right cast and methods for different regions.

We'd like to reach out to players in other parts of the world by offering subsequent content based on our discussions that took place during the live stream. We hope you'll see this as the first step in our efforts to genuinely communicate with you, and we ardently anticipate your ongoing engagement with future episodes of PUBG Care Package.

The three main topics covered in this first episode of PUBG Care Package are: 1. Tactical Gear Carrier, 2. Dragunov, and 3. AUG. The major changes including these main topics that will be implemented in Update 25.2 are as below. For detailed information, please refer to Patch Notes - Update 25.2 and the Dragunov and Aug Follow-up announcement.

- Temporary deactivation of Tactical Gear and Tactical Gear Carrier
- Changes to Dragunov - removal of probabilistic damage system and more
- AUG adjustments
- Fixing issues for the Aston Martin Special Vehicle Skins

In addition to the main topics listed above, we're sharing the questions and answers that were covered in the live stream in this announcement.

---

Q. Are there plans to either rebalance or entirely remove Tactical Gear?A. We initially designed Tactical Gear with the hope that players could experience team play in a richer and more varied manner. Particularly, we aimed for newcomers to the battlegrounds to feel encouraged, enabling them to contribute effectively to their teams and enjoy the gameplay experience even more.

Given this feedback, we've decided to temporarily deactivate Tactical Gear for Update 25.2, with plans for a potential reintroduction in a future patch.

During the Tactical Gear's deactivation period, we'll be re-evaluating the role and functionality of Tactical Gear from the ground up. We aim to integrate your feedback so it complements the game's core mechanics while enhancing your overall gameplay experience.

Q: Since the AUG received some readjustments, is there a possibility that the M416 will receive an upgrade?A. At the moment, we have no plans to improve other ARs. This decision aims to maintain the time-to-kill (TTK) within a certain range, ensuring the fundamental gameplay of PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS remains consistent and doesn't become overly challenging for new players.

Q. Players continue to have unpleasant experiences with cheaters. Is there anything you can share about PUBG's anti-cheat measures?A. We are aware that many players are experiencing inconveniences due to illegal software and cheaters. We would like to assure you that our Anti-Cheat Team are diligently working to address these concerns.

While we continue to impose penalties on cheaters, we acknowledge that the effectiveness of such measures might not be immediately evident to players who have already endured undesirable encounters. Recognizing this, we acknowledge the necessity for preemptive measures to forestall the usage of illegal software and are working hard to improve our measures.

However, the situation resembles an unceasing battle, where the developers of illegal software often outpace our efforts to counter them. Players have also inquired about hardware bans; hardware bans have been implemented indeed, but we have observed instances where cheaters manage to circumvent them. Our Anti-Cheat Team is tenaciously working to block these circumvention tactics, marking a continuous battle.

There is even a rumor that we collaborate with developers of illegal software, which is absolutely not true. As individuals committed to the long-term success of PUBG, we know better than anyone the detrimental impact illegal software has on our game. We want to assure you that none of these rumors should be given credence.

We are acutely aware that you seek stronger protection against illegal software and still suffer from unpleasant encounters with cheaters. We would like to guarantee you that we are working hard to improve this, and we are devoted to enhancing your overall gaming experience to the greatest extent possible.

Q. Many players have expressed concerns about unjust temporary bans issued by the Anti-Cheat team. Are there any plans to enhance this process?A. We are actively engaging in discussions with the Anti-Cheat team to explore avenues for refining the temporary ban procedures. While specific details are not available at this moment, our aim is to optimize the temporary ban process to minimize the likelihood of legitimate players being wrongfully banned.

Q. There have been instances where players unexpectedly die while attempting to equip Special Vehicle Skins. Is the PUBG Team aware of this issue?A. We are aware of several bugs that occur when attempting to equip Special Vehicle Skins and are actively working to fix them.

Q. Are you aware of the following Zipline-related issues: occasionally being unable to aim over the shoulder while using the Zipline and experiencing instant death when colliding with Drones?A. We were aware of these issues during the developmental phase, but to be honest we initially perceived these issues as rare occurrences, assuming they wouldn't happen frequently. However, we've observed a significant number of players encountering these issues. It is one of our top priorities to resolve them.

Q. Could you shed light on the reason behind introducing the Sandstorm and Blizzard Zone?A. While we understand that these features can spark debate, at the end of the day, winning or losing in PUBG is all about the decisions players make in various scenarios. The PUBG Team aspired to craft a dynamic world replete with diverse environments and variables, fostering the emergence of various strategies across different situations. We didn't introduce them to make the game more frustrating - we don't plan to remove the Sandstorm and Blizzard Zone, but we are considering to adjust the frequency of their occurrence, particularly in the later stages of the game.

Q. Players have requested adjustments of Shotguns, what are your thoughts on this?A. Shotguns are frequently used in the early stages and, surprisingly, in the later stages as well. Shotguns are intentionally designed to be powerful at close range combat. However, we've noticed that beyond a certain distance their damage seems to be higher than intended, so we are investigating whether this is a bug. We are also looking at adjusting the damage of Shotguns over distance.

Q. While we appreciate the innovative concept behind the Thermal 4x Scope, I believe it rivals the power and efficiency of Spotter Scopes. Are there any plans to refine its functionality?A. The Thermal 4x Scope, designed to detect heat, strikes a balance between gameplay and realism. We're aware of its pronounced impact on gameplay, but rather than eliminating it, we're exploring a range of enhancements, from adjusting the spawn rate to revisiting its spawn methods and other potential modifications.

Q. What's your thought on the balance of SMGs?A. The dev team views the SMG as a weapon that might not be exceptionally dominant or intuitive to use. Nonetheless, it's undoubtedly suited for close-quarters combat. Instead of simply tweaking balance, we aim to accentuate the distinct characteristics and advantages of SMGs.

Q. The Ranked rewards, with a few exceptions, are reclaimed at a season's end. Are there any plans to improve this system?A. Back in March, during our 6th anniversary roadmap announcement we committed to refining Ranked rewards this year. We're currently exploring various approaches, but while our preliminary decision is to enhance the rewards, we want to ensure that the enhancements resonate with our players. We apologize for the delay, and aim to share positive updates before the latter half of the upcoming year.

Q. There is usually a notable skill gap among players during Ranked matchmaking. Are there initiatives in place to improve this?A. The intricacies of matchmaking are undeniable. Balancing a diverse set of maps with the need to incorporate a vast number of players, all while differentiating by MMR is indeed a challenge. A broad matching pool is essential to achieve this seamlessly, but it's not always feasible.

For Ranked, the expectation is clear: players should be matched with others of similar skill. We're aware that the reality sometimes falls short of this ideal. And while we're earnestly exploring solutions, a definitive solution remains a work in progress.

That said, we believe that minimizing wait times is very important. While it's vital to strive for balanced matches, ensuring players can actually play a match without excessive waiting time comes first. We hope that players understand this decision, even if it may lead to less optimal matchups. But of course, our dedication to refining the system is ongoing, and we are actively seeking enhancements.

Q. Each region seems to have distinct map preferences; is there a dedicated protocol for map rotations based on these preferences?A. Indeed, in PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, the vast array of maps coupled with the potential for up to 100 players in a single match demands a meticulous approach to the matchmaking environment.

Due to the number of various maps, the matchmaking pool is segmented. While some regions that have a robust matchmaking pool might not face challenges, others with a limited pool can experience inefficiencies when all maps are to be available. Consequently, we've implemented a system that circulates five maps during a certain period.

Recognizing our global audience, we acknowledge the varying map preferences across regions. We're actively deliberating on regional parameter solutions, such as having preferred maps fixed for specific regions, etc.

Q. Are there plans to introduce Clan tournaments?A. Undoubtedly appealing, but due to our distinctive Battle Royale genre, especially with our unique rules and participant dynamics, it requires careful consideration when conceptualizing a PUBG-specific tournament.

Q. We're interested in the status of the transition to a new game engine. Any updates?A. We're diligently working towards this transition, but it's premature to divulge specific advancements right now. What I can currently share is that our steadfast commitment to the new engine has led us to reinforce our team and resources.

Q. Are there plans to add new creatures tailored to the unique feel of each map, like the bears in Vikendi?A. From my perspective as the in-game unit director, I'm genuinely interested in such additions. Yet, while incorporating diverse elements can enrich the gameplay experience, there are certain aspects we must approach cautiously - the game environment has its distinct role and identity. It's difficult to confirm such additions at this moment, but we are giving it careful consideration. Feedback and ideas from our player community will always be valued and taken into account.

Q. After the first recent live stream, are there plans for subsequent sessions like EP.2?A. Definitely, given our recent broadcast was titled EP.1, it indicates our intention to continue with sessions such as EP.2, EP.3, and so forth.

Q. How often do you envision hosting PUBG Care Package streams?A. Our aspiration is to host discussions about in-game topics at least once every quarter. Moreover, we're open to organizing additional sessions when specific situations warrant it. While the regularity of these discussions is important, I believe the chosen topics hold even greater significance. We will ensure we prepare even more diverse topics and initiate these sessions in a timely manner.

---

Today, we explored key topics from our first PUBG Care Package session.

The launch of PUBG Care Package represents a new shift in our communication strategy - we were immensely grateful for the chance to genuinely connect with our players, and we deeply value the support you extended during our live stream.

Our commitments made during the stream aren't merely verbal assurances; we promise to translate our words into tangible actions.

And moreover, we are in active discussions to expand PUBG Care Package to encompass not just a segment but our entire global player base.

Until then, see you on the Battlegrounds.

Aug 29, 2023

Patch Notes - Update 25.2

PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS - [****] UZI

25.2 Highlights

Live Maintenance Schedule

※ The times shown below are subject to change.
- PC: September 6, 12 AM - 8:30 AM (UTC)
- Console: September 14, 1 AM - 9 AM (UTC)

Live Server Updates

- Fixed an issue where the End of Match screen would automatically transition when team members who remained in-game leave for the lobby.
- Fixed an issue where, when the Additional Action Queuing is enabled, changing seats in a vehicle while shooting would maintain ADS mode.
- In Team Deathmatch - Boardwalk map, we fixed an issue where the Care Package plane would remain stationary for an extended period.
- (PC) Fixed an issue where players reaccessing the game during the plane drop would either instantaneously die or continue playing while tied to their parachute.
- The map rotation below has been updated based on player feedback.

Map Service

※ Please note that PC players can anticipate map changes every Wednesday at 2 AM UTC, while Console players can expect the same every Thursday at 7 AM UTC.
※ In Random Map regions, larger maps have a 25% chance of being selected, while smaller maps have a 12.5% probability.
- (PC) Test Serverㅤ- Normal Match: Miramar
ㅤㅤ- AS region: Squad - TPP
ㅤㅤ- NA region: Squad - FPP
- Live Server - Normal Matchㅤ- Week 1: Erangel / Taego / Deston / Sanhok / Karakin
ㅤㅤ- PC: September 6 ~ September 13
ㅤㅤ- Console: September 14 ~ September 21
ㅤ- Week 2: Erangel / Miramar / Vikendi / Sanhok / Paramo
ㅤㅤ- PC: September 13 ~ September 20
ㅤㅤ- Console: September 21 ~ September 28
ㅤ- Week 3: Erangel / Taego / Deston / Sanhok / Karakin
ㅤㅤ- PC: September 20 ~ September 27
ㅤㅤ- Console: September 28 ~ October 5
ㅤ- Week 4: Erangel / Miramar / Vikendi / Sanhok / Paramo
ㅤㅤ- PC: September 27 ~ October 4
ㅤㅤ- Console: October 5 ~ October 12
ㅤ- Week 5: Erangel / Taego / Deston / Sanhok / Karakin
ㅤㅤ- PC: October 4 ~ October 11
ㅤㅤ- Console: October 12 ~ October 19
- Live Server - Rankedㅤ- Ranked: Erangel (30%) / Miramar (30%) / Taego (30%) / Deston (10%)
ㅤ- The map service for Ranked is updated on a season-by-season basis.

※ Please note that the features and updates described below are subject to change or removal due to issues such as bugs, in-game problems, and community feedback. The images used are intended as visual references only; the actual game may look different as the builds are continually developed and refined before release.

Gunplay

Dragunov

Dragunov is now available in the game.

- Weapon type: Designated Marksman Rifles (DMR)
- Ammo: 7.62mm
- Fire Mode: Single
- Damage: 60
- Effective range: 500m
- Muzzle velocity: 830m/s
- Rate of fire: 150 RPM
- Muzzle attachment: Every AR, DMR muzzle attachment.
- Magazine attachment: Every AR, DMR magazine attachment.
- Stock attachment: Cheekpad
- Can attach up to the 15x Scope.
- World-spawns.
- Dragunov is available in Normal Matches, Ranked, Training Grounds, and Custom Matches.
ㅤ- In the case of Arcade, Dragunov can be used in Team Deathmatch and Intense Battle Royale, but not in Bluebomb Rush mode.

Adjustments:- Adjusted damage: 58 (Basic), 73 (Max) → 60 (Fixed)
ㅤ- Removed probabilistic damage system.

Dev's comment: We've been listening to your invaluable feedback regarding the introduction of Dragunov, a weapon that was initially set to debut with a unique probabilistic damage system. Your participation in our recent survey allowed us to grasp your concerns regarding the probabilistic damage system and the fact that it might conflict with traditional skill-based gunplay. Our initial goal with Dragunov was to create a different gameplay experience and to add new excitement and unique elements to the usual game flow. But as we listened to your voices, we realized that this change might disrupt the core gameplay.

So in response to your input, we've made some critical changes. We've removed the probabilistic damage system, giving Dragunov a higher headshot damage compared to other DMRs. However, it still has a slower fire rate and higher recoil than other weapons in its category, giving it a more high-risk, high-reward feel. We also took into account your concerns shared in the survey and created limitations through damage thresholds ensuring that the new weapon doesn't overperform SRs in that area.

We will continue to monitor community feedback and metrics after Dragunov's release. We intend to maintain consistent communication with our players and strive to craft a well-balanced gunplay environment.

AUG Adjustments

- Rate of fire: 750 → 720
- Adjusted horizontal and vertical recoil.

Dev's comment: In March, we made changes to the existing meta, aiming to make the 5.56mm weaponss more appealing choices, and rebalanced the AUG, converting it to a world-spawn weapon. However, despite no separate balancing, its recent usage and win rates have risen rapidly, leading us to believe that performance adjustments are necessary. The fire rate of the AUG will be reduced, decreasing its DPS to a level that falls between the Beryl M762 and M416. Additionally, since a decrease in fire rate tends to lower perceived recoil, we've slightly increased the recoil so that the perceived level is going to stay approximately the same. We anticipate that AUG's usage difficulty will remain similar and it will continue to be a competitive weapon even after this change.

Tactical Gear

- Tactical Gear has been temporarily disabled.

Dev's comment: Tactical Gear will be temporarily removed as we've received considerable feedback regarding them following the 24.1 Update. We're undertaking a thorough review to ensure Tactical Gear aligns better with our gameplay, focusing on acquisition methods and performance. Once we've refined these elements, we plan to reintroduce Tactical Gear to the game.

Aston Martin

- Fixed the issue where the vehicle flips and/or driving feels awkward when driving through certain areas, with the "V12 Vantage Roadster" Sports Car or "V12 Vantage Roadster (Luxe)" Sports Car skin equipped.
- (PC) Fixed the issue where the Vantage Paint (Cumberland Grey) is shown as Vantage (Luxe) Paint (Tayos Turquoise) after you initially equip the skin.

World: Miramar

※ The following updates apply to every mode.

- To promote a more balanced gameplay environment, we've adjusted some high ground areas to prevent players from gaining an unfair advantage when attacking from extremely elevated positions.

Danger Zones

- Blizzard Zone and Sandstorm are now less likely to appear throughout the game.

Modes

Intense Battle Royale

- TPP mode has been added.
ㅤ- FPP mode has been removed.

Dev's comment: Following the initial release of Intense Battle Royale, we acknowledged the widespread feedback suggesting the implementation of FPP mode, and subsequently introduced it. However, after a thorough analysis of both internal data and global feedback, we decided to revert to TPP starting this update. We understand how such change might affect our diverse player base and we ask for your understanding as these experimental changes aim to enhance the overall gameplay experience. We remain committed to monitoring your feedback after this update, so that our future adjustments can be more flexible and in tune with your preferences.

(PC) Bluebomb Rush

- Shop Key Binding
ㅤ- You can now change the Bluebomb Rush Shop Key Binding which is currently set to "," key.
ㅤ- The option above can be changed via "Settings → Key Bindings → Common → Spawn Tool".
- Map / Scoreboard
ㅤ- The default Key Binding for the map/scoreboard has been changed from two keys "M" and "Caps Lock" to a single key "M".
ㅤ- Two Key Bindings can still be configured via "Settings → Key Bindings → Common → World Map".

(PC) Training Mode

- You can now change the Spawn Tool keybinding that was previously set to the "," key.
- The option above can be changed via "Settings → Key Bindings → Common → Spawn Tool".

Progressive Weapon Skin System

New Skin Type: Chroma

Presenting Chroma, a new type of skin that allows you to modify the color and effects of your Progressive Weapon Skins. Elevate the vibrancy of your weapon skin collection with this new addition!
- Chroma is a skin you can apply to Progressive Weapon Skins - it applies to the weapon skin, attachment skins, loot crates, and killfeeds.
- Obtaining Chroma:
ㅤ- Obtainable via the Hideout; further details on each Chroma skin can be found in our upcoming Store Update announcements.
ㅤ- Multiple identical Chromas can be obtained, the first of which will be locked upon acquisition.
- Applying Chroma:
ㅤ- Click on the obtained Chroma icon on the Hideout - Weapons page.
ㅤ- An applied Chroma will reflect every progressive level of the corresponding Progressive Weapon Skin.
ㅤㅤ- You do not need an individual Chroma per progressive level.
ㅤㅤ- Cannot be applied separately to specific progressive levels or attachments.
ㅤ- If you own multiple identical Chromas and apply Chroma to a Progressive Weapon Skin, the locked Chroma will be applied.
- Previewing Chroma:
ㅤ- Preview is available through Hideout - Weapons - Chroma icon.
ㅤ- Preview appears upon clicking the icon, regardless of owning the Progressive Weapon Skin or Chroma.
ㅤ- Preview displays Chroma applied to the corresponding Progressive Weapon Skin, reflecting currently unlocked progressive levels.

BATTLESTAT Skin

- The BATTLESTAT skin for cumulative kills + headshots now features a new design.

Dev's Comment: While the Progressive Weapon Skin system has been a great way to add variety to PUBG gameplay, our current collection of diverse Progressive Weapon Skins prompted us to consider a transformation that can take effect in the present and moving forward. We're unveiling the new Chroma skin, which can be acquired and applied regardless of the Progressive Weapon Skin's progressive level. With this new feature, we hope to provide even more customization options for your valuable Progressive Weapon Skins. Additionally, starting from Update 25.2, the BATTLESTAT skin will now showcase a fresh look for future cumulative kills + headshots skins.

Performance

(PC) New Stability Improvement: GPU Debug

- Added two new options: "Collect GPU Crash Data" and "GPU Crash Report"
ㅤ- Collect GPU Crash Data - Enable or disable the collection of GPU crash and related data including user crash dump files.
ㅤㅤ- The option is disabled by default.
ㅤㅤ- The option will be activated after enabling this setting and restarting the game.
ㅤㅤ- The option may lower game performance due to stability checks and will be automatically disabled after 7 days of being enabled.
ㅤ- GPU Crash Report - Displays a pop-up window whenever multiple GPU crashes occur, prompting users to enable the "Collect GPU Crash Data" option.
ㅤㅤ- The option is enabled by default.
- The options above can be enabled/disabled via "Settings → Gameplay → Others → GPU Crash" options menu.

(PC) Default option: DirectX 11 → DirectX 11 Enhanced

- For fresh game installations, "DirectX 11 Enhanced" is now the default option.
ㅤ- In other cases, the option has to be manually changed through "Settings > Advanced > DirectX Version > DirectX 11 Enhanced".
ㅤ- If a PC does not support DX11 Enhanced, DX11 will be set as the default option.
- DirectX 11 Enhanced is an option optimized for CPU performance, enhanced to support multi-threading during rendering.
ㅤ- DirectX 11 Enhanced offers similar stability compared to DirectX 11, but in some cases can lead to increases in FPS.

Bug Fixes

Gameplay

- Fixed general in-game bugs.
- Fixed the issue where the last surviving player dies immediately at 0 HP after getting on a vehicle, while possessing Self-AED.
- Fixed the issue where the silhouette of the character is temporarily visible before the smoke disappears if the Sandstorm moves to the location of the smoke.
- Fixed the issue where melee weapons go through walls when thrown from a corner of a building while prone.
- Fixed the issue where Smoke Grenade sounds play longer than the actual smoke exposure time.
- Fixed the issue where, under certain conditions, players with Self-AEDs don't get knocked out at 0 HP while riding a vehicle.
- Fixed the issue where weapons automatically fire when gripping a weapon after repeatedly switching between Drone and character perspectives with the Additional Action Queuing active.
- (PC) Fixed the issue where a Bluebomb Rush match does not conclude immediately when there are no players on the opposing team.
- (PC) Fixed the issue where firing a handgun while riding a vehicle and moving to another seat causes stuttering gunshot sound effects.

World

- Fixed Miramar map issues.
- Fixed the issue where 40mm Smoke Grenades in Vikendi spawn without accompanying the M79.
- Fixed the issue where 40mm Smoke Grenades in Vikendi spawn in quantities beyond a certain limit.
- Fixed the issue in Miramar where the character gets stuck in a certain cliff.
- Fixed the issue in Erangel where characters teleport after partially destroying and stepping on the door of certain houses.
- Fixed the Care Package Plane audio issue in Boardwalk TDM map.
- Reduced the volume of BGM in Boardwalk TDM map.

Lobby

- Fixed the issue where only the last vehicle displayed in the Showroom lobby skin shows vehicle light/animations when the party leader clicks Ready.

UX/UI

- Fixed the issue where the game does not direct you to the Clan page even after clicking on the Clan button from the Customize page.
- Fixed the incorrect reward instructions at the bottom of the Crafter Pass: Aston Martin page.
- Fixed the awkward item description for the Crowbar in Chinese language setting.
- Fixed the issue where a magnifying glass icon is shown when hovering over the preview of Prime Parcels items that cannot be equipped at the same time.
- Fixed the issue where the left and right buttons are displayed in the Workshop when there is only one applicable vehicle at the top right of the preview screen.
- Fixed the issue where locked holographic battlestat weapon previews expose the locked battlestat area in ADS mode.
- (PC) Fixed the issue where certain parts of the Clan page are not displayed.
- (PC) Fixed the issue where the Gas Can image is incorrectly displayed when viewing the Gas Can in inventory.
- (Console) Fixed the issue where the Cancel Matchmaking button does not work in some screens.

Items & Skins

※ Clipping issue: Graphics that are shown outside the visible part of an image/object.
- Fixed the issue where the Crowbar covers other areas of the inventory when the Punk Axe skin is equipped.
- Fixed the issue where the character's legs appear partially transparent after equipping the Summer Shorts (Gray).
- Fixed the clipping issue occurring at the wrist when NieR Replicant ver.1.22 - Kainé's Gloves and PGC 2022 Tac-Tech Shirt are both equipped.
- Fixed the clipping issue occurring when PGI.S Tactical Pants and Duncan's/NH-ESPORTS Shoes are both equipped.
- Fixed the issue where the character's pelvis appears transparent after equipping the Long Sleeved Turtleneck with the Orange Crush Bottom.
- Fixed the issue where the character's pelvis appears transparent after equipping the Bloody Nurse Uniform with the PGI Ringside Hoodie.
- Fixed the clipping issue occurring at the ankle when PCS3 Suntouched Boots are equipped.
- Fixed the issue where the character's pelvis appears transparent after equipping the Lucky Bandit Outfit with the Neon Deco Hoodie.
- Fixed the issue where the earrings are shown on the screen at certain FPP angles when STREET FIGHTER 6 - Chun-Li's Hairstyle 1 or 2 is equipped.
- Fixed the issue where the earring is shown on the screen when the player is in ADS mode with STREET FIGHTER 6 - Chun-Li's Hairstyle 1 or 2 equipped.

Aug 29, 2023

Dragunov and AUG Follow-up

PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS - [****] UZI

Hello players,

Starting from August 8th, we carried out a week-long survey focusing on the Dragunov and AUG. We meticulously analyzed the feedback received in 14 different languages, examining trends from various regional communities and in-game play metrics. This helped us reflect on the experiences we want to provide through future updates. Instead of simply documenting these insights in the Patch Notes, we decided it would be more meaningful to share our thought process and intentions in a dedicated announcement.

Our conclusions we wish to share today are based on the survey results from 18,637 participants, and a comprehensive look at gun usage patterns and win rates. In Update 25.2, you'll be able to meet the Dragunov without the probabilistic damage system. We are also planning to adjust the AUG's performance. We realize this will not meet every player's expectations, but through these incremental adjustments, we are committed to steadily advance towards a more balanced gunplay environment. We will certainly continue to listen to and apply your feedback, especially when it comes to upcoming in-game systems and gunplay.

Dragunov

Of the 18,637 responses we received, 22.1% came from users who had tried the Dragunov on the Test Server. However, we believe that all of PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS players' opinions are equally important, so we carefully reviewed the responses from both testers and non-testers.

First, we found that the introduction of the Dragunov was necessary in terms of expanding the options for the 7.62mm DMRs. Across all respondents, about 70% mentioned that the gun itself should be introduced, while the probabilistic damage system should not exist in the game, whether it's Normal Match or Ranked.

We found that the 20% of respondents who had experienced Dragunov's damage on our Test Server held a much more robust opinion, stating that anything beyond players' control through experience and effort detracts from the enjoyment. We concur and have entirely removed the mentioned system.

Apart from that, the majority deemed the Dragunov's damage, rate of fire, muzzle velocity, and recoil "appropriate." However, without the probabilistic damage system, we believed the Dragunov might become a challenging and ineffective firearm to use. Thus, we redesigned the Dragunov to deliver greater headshot damage compared to other DMRs, highlighting its unique distinction. Also, by eliminating the luck factor, we maintain the high-risk, high-reward concept of the weapon. Additionally, we're aiming to implement distance-based damage attenuation ensuring that enemies can't be taken down with a single shot at close to medium ranges or beyond to preserve the unique advantage of the SR. We welcome further feedback, so try it out and share your thoughts.

AUG and Gunplay Balance

We recognized that gunplay balance, including the AUG, can be a matter of opinion based on individual experience, so we analyzed the results separately for respondents using 7.62mm and 5.56mm firearms. We also considered key metrics such as kill rate and win rate, as respondents' perceptions of each firearm may differ depending on the way they work in the game.

First, we found that over 75% of respondents strongly agreed that PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS offers a diverse weapon selection. Both the use rate and performance of the 7.62mm and 5.56mm guns were viewed as "well balanced" by the majority, with some favoring the 7.62mm as more potent.

We also closely examined respondents' perceptions of individual firearms. When asked about the advantage or disadvantage of the Beryl M762 versus the AUG, 65% of those who preferred the 7.62mm firearms answered the Beryl M762 was more powerful. Among those who preferred the 5.56mm firearms, 50% agreed that the AUG performed as well or better, meaning that regardless of weapon type, users of each firearm thought it performed well or at least not at a disadvantage. However, we did discover that respondents who preferred 5.56mm firearms were less likely to perceive the AUG as exceptionally strong. Respondents mentioned several factors for the AUG's current dominance in the gunplay meta, including the existence of the Mk12 as a strong DMR option, increased utilization of throwables due to the difference in ammo weight, and more.

The information obtained during the survey differs from the key metrics our development team has been tracking internally. The AUG is currently dominating Beryl M762 in terms of both usage and win rate. This trend has been gradually rising over time since the initial rebalance in March, due to a variety of factors, and has been accelerating rapidly as of late. Factors such as the presence of the Mk12, differences in ammo weight, and others mentioned above are certainly worth examining - however, based on the AUG's win rate, it's evident that it is outperforming all other AR firearms, making an adjustment to its performance a necessary measure.

Balancing gunplay has to be more focused on enjoyment, diversity, and fairness and should not be skewed by individual gun preferences at any point in time, so we're taking the survey results into consideration, but focusing on the macro metrics across the entire game. We have recognized the community's feedback over the last several months regarding AUG's overperformance and have decided to reduce the AUG's rate of fire and recoil. The rate of fire will be reduced from 750 to 720 RPM. Consequently, the AUG's DPS now falls between that of the Beryl M762 and the M416. We've also increased the horizontal and vertical recoil a bit, as a lower rate of fire means less perceived recoil. This is not a significant nerf, as the recoil difficulty is going to be somewhat similar. As for the Beryl M762, we decided not to make any performance adjustments, as the win rate metrics are considered to be stable.

We've taken note of all the other exciting ideas you've sent us, and we'll make sure to closely examine them. Due to the nature of gunplay, not all of these updates can be implemented quickly, but we'll do our best to make sure we're working in the direction guided by our community. Also, after examining your valuable feedback, we have decided to enhance the usability for non-mainstream weapons in the second half of the year.

We're experimenting with various methods such as surveys and live broadcasts to communicate with our players in a more transparent and proactive way. We aim to break free from the traditional update approach and create a synergy with our community to foster a healthier gaming environment.

Your valuable feedback has been a great help in shaping the direction of the Dragunov and AUG updates. It has also provided us a good opportunity to reflect on the direction of gunplay development and the ways we communicate with our community.

This is not a one-time effort - we will continue to prepare diverse updates and opportunities for communication, so stay tuned.

We'll see you on the Battlegrounds.