The battle royale PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds is preparing to launch its tenth season of content, and put out a dynamic PUBG trailer earlier this week to announce Season 10 begins December 16 on PC and December 17 on consoles. However, the update officially went live on test servers today, and the game's developer put out new information on what players can expect from its limited-time map and more.
The Season 10 map is called Haven, and will be replacing PUBG Season 9's dynamic map Paramo. Haven will be the "most dense battleground" yet, according to a press release, as only 32 players are dropped onto a small industrial island set in America's rust belt. This urban setting hosts a number of districts outlined in the Version 10.1 patch notes: the Carbon Steelworks Complex, the Coal Yards, the Industrial Zone, the Residential Zone, the Overpass, and the Docks.
Because Haven is a smaller, vertical-oriented map with less players, it will only facilitate Duo and 1-Man Duo Modes, match length will be shorter, and typical PUBG bot players will not be utilized. However, instead there will be a new AI-controlled faction called the Pillar with soldiers guarding various parts of the map that hide supply caches.
Primary members of the Pillar include guards and commanders who attack players on sight and can call for backup from scout helicopters, which in turn have spotlights that call attention to "Pillar Tactical:" invincible armored vehicles with guns and fire bombs that may also draw reinforcements. PUBG players can potentially escape encounters in high places using emergency parachutes, an item that allows one to glide to safety.
Also coming in Update 10.1 are a new Survivor Pass set to end on March 24, 2021; a new ranked season; additional Mastery medals to collect; customization presets; and updates to matchmaking, UI, and other quality of life aspects. This all comes as former Raven Software Art Director Dave Curd takes over as PUBG's Creative Director. Curd told GamesIndustry.biz his goal is to make it easier for novices to become veterans, rather than emulating Fortnite or Call of Duty: Warzone.
That being said, PUBG's Version 10.1 patch notes detail one upcoming addition similar to battle royale contemporaries like Apex Legends: holiday skins. Christmas and New Year skins will be available in the store starting December 16 and December 30 respectively, with the latter focusing on 2021 being the "Year of the Cow" through a number of cow print-inspired outfits and weapons.
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds is available on Mobile, PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Source: PUBG