KRAFTON has released its plan for the future of PUBG: Battlegrounds, detailing the main changes for 2025. The game will be optimized for next-generation consoles, ensuring better performance and graphic quality. The transition promises to improve the frame rate per second (FPS), reduce map loading times and increase visual fidelity.
Additionally, the title will adopt Unreal Engine 5, a technology that will make scenarios more realistic and allow greater flexibility in the development of new content. This change aims to ensure that PUBG remains competitive and up-to-date over the coming years.
The game’s sustainability will also be further enhanced with the introduction of the PUBG UGC (User-Generated Content) project, which will allow players to create and share their own game modes. The first test of this initiative will be a new Team Deathmatch (TDM)-style format within Custom Matches.
Changes to the weapon progression and balancing system
The company aims to unify the experience between Ranked and Normal modes. Key elements of the casual game will be integrated into Ranked, providing a more seamless transition for players looking to compete at a high level.
A rework of the rank system is scheduled for June, making progression more rewarding. Gunplay will undergo frequent adjustments, with bimonthly updates to balance weapons. A major annual rebalance will also be implemented to diversify combat strategies.
Underutilized weapons such as Sniper Rifles (SRs), Light Machine Guns (LMGs), and Pistols will be reworked to make them more viable. Additionally, new weapons and attachments are in development to expand players’ tactical options.
Evolution of artificial intelligence and new interactions in the game
PUBG’s AI system is getting a significant overhaul. Bots will be more strategic, reacting better to Blue Zone movement and utilizing defensive tactics like using smoke grenades to hide their positions. These changes are intended to make AI encounters more realistic and challenging.
The game will also bring more immersion to the environment with the introduction of AI-controlled animals. While details have not yet been revealed, this new feature could influence gameplay, making the world of PUBG more dynamic.
Another major new feature will be the implementation of destructible terrain on the classic maps Taego, Miramar and Erangel. This change will expand the strategic possibilities, allowing players to change the combat scenario in unprecedented ways.
Content expansion and new collaborations
KRAFTON aims to revitalize existing maps rather than release new scenarios. This approach seeks to maintain the game’s identity while also offering new challenges to players.
New gameplay features include the introduction of explosive gas tanks, which will release smoke when detonated. The camouflage system for vehicles will also be improved, allowing players to hide their vehicles to avoid ambushes.
Alternative game modes such as POBG (PlayerOmnom's Battlegrounds) and Project Cyclops, a roguelike based on this structure, will be available with new stages. In addition, collaborations with automotive brands and artists will bring exclusive content to the game.
The Contender system will also be implemented, offering players more customization options for their characters, increasing individuality within the battlefield.
Strengthening anti-cheating measures in PUBG
To maintain the competitive integrity of the game, KRAFTON will invest in an enhanced anti-cheat security system. New detection technologies, including machine learning, will be implemented to identify and eliminate the use of illegal software in real time.
The company also intends to reinforce the protection of players' accounts, making it difficult to hijack profiles and preventing unfair practices.
With these changes, PUBG: Battlegrounds seeks to consolidate itself as one of the main shooters on the market. The transition to new generation consoles, the adoption of Unreal Engine 5 and the introduction of personalized content promise to renew the experience for players.
KRAFTON will continue to update the game throughout the year, ensuring that the community has access to constant improvements. To keep up with the latest news, players can visit the official PUBG website or follow the game on social media.