Key information
Publisher Krafton has unveiled PUBG Ded.Net, a new third-person battle royale shooter currently in development at the Wisconsin-based studio PUBG Madison. Creative director Dave Curd describes the project as a grungy, pulpy gameshow-themed experience that aims to evolve the genre by incorporating roguelite mechanics into its core survival gameplay.
The game introduces a pick-three-style upgrade system that persists across consecutive matches. Players select character-altering abilities that can provide both advantages and drawbacks, such as replacing arms with blades or suffering injuries that impact movement and reloading. This design intends to mitigate the frustration of losing by offering strategic progression and new character fantasies.
Curd emphasizes that the game avoids granular statistical adjustments, focusing instead on strategic opportunities. Features include unconventional elements like a porcelain doll character that can hitch rides on allies or enemies, and a vehicle seatbelt system that ejects players during high-speed crashes. These additions are intended to create memorable, humorous moments rather than complex mathematical loadouts.
PUBG Ded.Net is currently slated for release on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. While the team acknowledges the pressure of working with the established PUBG brand, Curd notes that the studio is prioritizing fan engagement and innovation over rigid performance metrics.
