[Feb 12] Dev Notes: Competitive Mode

[p]Hello all, this is Sequoia Yang from the ARC Team.
[/p][p]Thank you to all players who continue to enjoy PUBG: BLINDSPOT and consistently share valuable feedback with us.[/p][p]
Today, we’re excited to share the long-awaited update introducing Competitive Mode, along with details on key system improvements.[/p][p]
Competitive Mode has been prepared for players who want to prove their skill through more intense, competitive battles and through rank progression.[/p][p]Please review the details below to understand the core rules of Competitive Mode. Let’s dive in.[/p][p] [/p][h3]\[Competitive Mode – Basic Rules]
[/h3]

• [p]Season Schedule[/p]
  • [p]Early Access Season 1 will run for approximately one month, from February 12 to March 12 (before maintenance).[/p]
  [p][/p]
• [p]Participation Requirements[/p]
  • [p]Competitive Mode is available to players who have reached Account Level 10 or higher, ensuring participants have sufficient familiarity with the game.[/p]
  [p][/p]
• [p]Solos Only (Season 1 Policy)[/p]
  • [p]Competitive Mode will be available as Solo only during Early Access Season 1.[/p]
  • [p]We recognize that matchmaking fairness is the most important factor in Competitive Mode.[/p]
  • [p]Although we have continuously improved matchmaking logic, we concluded that additional technical validation is required before ensuring full fairness in mixed party and solo environments.[/p]
  • [p]For this reason, this season will operate in a Solo-only format.[/p]
  • [p]Based on data collected during Season 1, we will continue improving matchmaking systems to support fair party matchmaking in future seasons.[/p]
  [p][/p]
• [p]Season-Limited Rewards[/p]
  • [p]Eligibility: Players who achieve Gold tier or higher at least once during Season 1.
    [/p]
• [p]Reward Details[/p]
  • [p]A limited-edition in-game item obtainable only during Early Access Season 1 will be awarded later down the road.[/p]
  • [p]A commemorative reward recognizing early Competitive Mode participants is currently being prepared.[/p]
  • [p]Detailed reward information will be announced separately.[/p]
  [p] [/p]
• [p]Combat Rules[/p]
  • [p]To preserve the unique strategic tension of Competitive Mode, friendly fire damage remains at 100%.[/p]
  • [p]Unlike Unranked Mode, where friendly fire damage has been reduced, Competitive Mode follows its own rule set. Please keep this in mind when playing.[/p]
  [p][/p]
• [p]Penalties for leaving mid-Competitive Match[/p]
  • [p]During Competitive Mode matches, the Leave button is disabled.[/p]
  • [p]If a player disconnects, they will return to the same match upon reconnection.[/p]
  • [p]However, if a player ultimately leaves the match, the match will be counted as a loss and RP (Rank Points) will decrease.[/p]
  • [p]Please be aware that repeated intentional leaving may result in account sanctions in-game which includes but is not limited to account bans (temporary and permanent), as we have previously conducted.[/p]
  • [p]As any good player should, please play who sportsmanship and stay with your teammates until the end of the match.[/p]

[p] [/p][p][/p][h3]\[Competitive Mode - Rank System]
[/h3]

• [p]Placement Matches and Rank Evaluation[/p]
  • [p]All players must complete 10 placement matches when first entering Competitive Mode.[/p]
  • [p]Player skill is evaluated during placement matches.[/p]
  • [p]After completing all 10 matches, an initial rank will be assigned.[/p]
  • [p]After rank assignment, RP (Rank Points) will increase or decrease based on match results, affecting rank progression.
    [/p]

[p][/p]

• [p]Rank Structure[/p]
  • [p]Competitive ranks consist of seven tiers: Bronze → Silver → Gold → Platinum → Emerald → Diamond → Master[/p]
  • [p]Each tier includes a unique rank icon and frame decoration.[/p]
  • [p]Push your limits, climb the ranks, and fight your way to the top to receive glory and rewards.
    [/p]

[p][/p][p][/p]

• [p]Rank Demotion Protection System[/p]
  • [p]To ease the pressure of rank demotion, a Rank Demotion Protection System has been introduced.[/p]
  • [p]If RP falls below the minimum threshold of your current tier due to a loss, demotion will not occur immediately.[/p]
  • [p]Instead, Rank Demotion Protection will activate, allowing you to maintain your current rank temporarily.[/p]
  • [p]If you lose again while under protection, your rank will then be demoted.[/p]
  • [p]Use this final opportunity to fiercely defend your hard-earned rank.
    [/p]

[p][/p][p] [/p][h3]\[Additional Changes]
[/h3]

• [p]Improved Unranked Mode Matchmaking Logic[/p]
  • [p]Based on feedback that matchmaking times had increased, Unranked Mode matchmaking conditions have been adjusted to reduce wait times.[/p]
  • [p]This change prioritizes Unranked Mode’s core value of quick access to matches.[/p]
  • [p]Players who prefer precise, skill-based matchmaking are encouraged to play Competitive Mode.[/p]
  • [p]We will continue monitoring and improving both modes to maintain balance and overall quality.[/p]
  [p][/p]
• [p]Friendly Fire Damage Adjustments[/p]
  • [p]To lower the barrier for new players and prevent team fights from being disrupted unintentionally, we’ve adjusted friendly fire damage rules as follows:
    [/p]
• [p]Unranked Mode & Team Deathmatch[/p]
  • [p]For direct gunfire only, damage dealt to teammates is reduced to 50%.[/p]
  • [p]However, explosive and area-of-effect damage (e.g., grenades) remains unchanged.
    [/p]
• [p]Competitive Mode & Custom Games[/p]
  • [p]To maintain the strategic tension unique to these modes, friendly fire damage remains at 100%, unchanged.[/p]
  [p][/p]
• [p]Improved [/p]
  • [p]To address discomfort that occurred when aiming at crouching enemies, we’ve made the assist logic more flexible.
    [/p]
• [p]Behavior Changes[/p]
  • [p]Previously, only activated under very precise aiming conditions.[/p]
  • [p]Now, if there are no clear obstructions, (default L-Ctrl) may activate automatically even when an enemy is crouching near the aim line.
    [/p]
• [p]Expected Impact[/p]
  • [p]This change is expected to significantly improve hit consistency, especially when engaging crouching enemies with automatic weapons.
    [/p]
• [p]Targeting Logic[/p]
  • [p]If multiple enemies overlap, the adjustment will prioritize the enemy closest to the cursor.[/p]
  • [p]In addition to aim line direction, positioning your cursor closer to the enemy’s location will help you use the assist more reliably.[/p]
  • [p]We continue to treat player feedback as our top priority, and will keep improving controls to be more intuitive and easier to adapt to through ongoing updates.[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]

• [p]Additional Updates[/p]
  • [p]In addition, various improvements refined by player reports over the first week are included in this update.[/p]
  • [p]Please refer to the Official Patch Notes, which we will provide later on, for full details.[/p]

[p] [/p][h3]\[Thank You][/h3][p] [/p][p]Thanks to your active participation, we hope we’ve been able to provide some meaningful significant improvements during the first week of Early Access for all our players.[/p][p]We will continue listening carefully to your feedback and work toward creating even better battles: that’s the whole point of our Early Access.[/p][p]With the Lunar New Year approaching, we hope you enjoy time with your family and achieve tons of great victories in PUBG: BLINDSPOT.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Thank you always for playing with us!
ARC Team[/p]