PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS' impact on the BR genre should not be understated, asPUBGremains one of the most activebattle royale gamesdespite plenty of competition. After being in the genre for seven years, many players have expressed they missed the feel of its early days—. Now, the community will be getting what they want, but for a limited time.
The Erangel Classic event will run from May 14 to May 28 on PC and from May 23 to June 6 on console.PUBGproduction director Taehyun Kim recently spoke with Game Rant about the event and revealed how it wasn’t possible to revert the UI and gunplay balance completely, but the development team did what they could in recreating a similar approach that they hope will be acceptable.
The Biggest Difference Between PUBG Then and Now
Kim told Game Rant the Erangel Classic event might not be a “perfect” restoration of the early days because it was impractical to apply the old assets toPUBG’s current version, which has evolved through seven years of updates and optimizations. Instead, the development team aimed to recreate the UI and gunplay balance based on past records and data. Players dropping into their first match during the event could get whiplash, however, as the weapons, old-school font, and graphics, more or less, are making a comeback. It might feel like 2017 again. When users are in firefights, they might really feel like it’s 2017 because of the reduction of recoil and how much longer it’ll take to down enemies. Kim said the recoil had to be vastly increased over the years because of the overall balance adjustment for new weapons like the game’s ARs. Now, players will experience the recoil of the classic days, with sniper rifles, handguns, and the crossbow being the only exemptions.
Recoil is the biggest difference in the gunplay between the old and present PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS. We had balance adjustments mainly for the core weapon groups like ARs and DMRs, which led to a huge increase in the recoil with the introduction of new weapons. To recapture the old gunplay, we had to reduce their recoil.
In addition to the old gunplay mechanics, players will also be able to obtain an armored UAZ by firing a flare gun outside the play zone, just like in the early days. The armored UAZ wasone of the first vehicles that were introduced inPUBGand, though it wasn’t the most protective and was later replaced, it gave players another layer to the competition. The UAZ is less durable than the current BRDM, which was introduced in 2019, but it compensates with better mobility as it’s able to drive on any terrain and is easier to repair.
We hope this vehicle effectively offers the old Erangel’s gameplay and driving experience without damaging the overall balance of the game.
PUBG’s Contribution to the Battle Royale Genre
PUBGhas a rich history, with Brendan Greene releasing the game in 2017 andPUBGbecame the pioneer for other topgames likeFortnite,Apex Legends, andCall of Duty: Warzone.It has grown in the years since, and it’s clear that nostalgia is whatPUBGis banking on here. That nostalgia, obviously, brings about a little retrospection and looking back in the community.
One of PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS’ biggest contributions to the genre is that the game has made BR popular across the globe.
With its vast player base, PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS has played a key role in the Battle Royale genre with a significant impact on the market and even contributed to the emergence of various sub-genres.
PUBG: Battlegrounds
WHERE TO PLAY
Fight to be the last player standing in an action-packed battle royale. Parachute into a treacherous battleground with only your wits for protection, as you loot gear and outsmart your enemies in a fierce battle royale. Build the ultimate soldier from scratch and test your mettle against up to 99 other players across three unique maps. Only one life. Only one shot at victory per match. Wreak havoc on your own or take on the challenge in a squad of up to four players to increase your chances of survival - and glory. Squad up and join the Battlegrounds for free and experience the original battle royale.
