The developer and publisher of PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds have seen the future and it's on mobile devices. Not only has the success of PUBG on PC and console led to the release and success of PUBG Mobile, but now PUBG Studio is ready to move onto a full sequel, developed exclusively for mobile. Introducing PUBG: New State, the latest battle royale game from the team that helped create the genre. PUBG: New State is tentatively planned for release in 2021.
Announced via a press release, PUBG: New State is described as an evolution of the classic PUBG experience that players already enjoy. It'll move PUBG forward in many significant ways, with a focus on new important features. For example, in-game weapon customization, drones, a mid-action combat roll, ballistic shields, destructible windows, and other interactable objects will be a part of the new experience. Clearly, it's taking ideas from the PC/console game and new ideas.
PUBG: New State will also be moving the PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds story and universe forward, as well. PUBG: New State is set in the near future, 2051 to be exact. It will allow the developers to create new versions of vehicles including jeeps and sedans, as well as new buggies and bikes, updating the run-down aesthetic of the original games. What's happened in the world of PUBG between then and now will be up to players to discover.
The biggest change will be PUBG: New State's new map, which is apparently named TROI. TROI, at least based on PUBG: New State's trailer, mixes aspects of not just PUBG but other battle royale games, as well. Fortnite's neighborhoods and Blackout's landmarks stand out. However, while it may look different visually, gameplay looks like it will feel very familiar to those familiar with PUBG already. It doesn't look like PUBG: New State is trying to reinvent the wheel.
Exactly why a new PUBG mobile game was a priority for PUBG Studio isn't clear. After all, both PUBG and PUBG Mobile remain popular. PUBG: New State will definitely lead to many battle royale fans revisiting the series, so perhaps refreshing the PUBG audience is the entire idea. Improving monetization probably doesn't hurt, either.
PUBG: New State is, if nothing else, evidence that the PUBG universe is growing faster than ever. Multiple other PUBG games are in development, including a single-player horror game set in the PUBG universe, and more. And, as PUBG: New State shows, there are likely more PUBG projects no one's heard of, too. The success of the PUBG franchise can't be denied.
PUBG: New State releases on iOS and Android devices in 2021.