PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS News

Hello players!

As the brisk breezes of late September herald a ghostly resurgence, Halloween Battle Royale returns to set the stage for some spooky festivities! Ready yourselves to choose from four spine-chilling classes, showcase frightful teamwork, and proclaim your eerie triumph beneath the glow of the crimson moon.

If your memories of the mode's rules have faded into the mists of time, fear not - we've prepared a guide below for all souls brave enough to join the fray.

[h2]Basic Rules[/h2]


Players will be asked to transform into their preferable class, board the Ghost Ship, jump down into dark Erangel and fight to be the last standing.

• Halloween Battle Royale mode is available to play at the Arcade.
• Once matchmaking is done, a window will pop up where players can choose to be either an Executioner, Ranger, Pyromancer, or Cleric.
  • Players will have time to choose their class in the pre-game lobby; they can also bring the class window back up by pressing F8 for PC or X for Console.
• The first circle will be shown on the map once players hop on the Ghost Ship.
  • At the same time, players will be equipped with their respective class's Level 1 weapon, ring, and necklace.
• Players will have to loot ingredients to upgrade their weapons.
• Fight foes with your class skills, show great teamwork with your squad, and win Halloween Battle Royale.

[h2]Halloween Battle Royale Classes[/h2]
Now's the time to introduce the four different classes: Executioner, Ranger, Pyromancer, or Cleric. Since there are no limits to the number of a certain class in a single squad, teammates should get tactical and put their heads together to think about what combination they could come up with.

However, keep in mind that each class requires its own exclusive ingredients to grow stronger! Therefore, it would be efficient to share loot among different classes, but it's obviously not the best to share the loot you would need if your squad is made up of four Executioners.

Another important note: once players upgrade their Level 1 weapons to Level 2, they can choose between two different types of weapons. Each weapon has different skills so make sure to craft and wield wisely! But do not fear; players can switch between the two weapons in every upgrade stage.

[h2]Executioner[/h2]
"I'm here for the SLAUGHTERFEST!"

An Executioner is your classic melee warrior that can chase down or pull enemies in for brutal combat.

• Default Weapon: Axe of Swiftness
  • Executioners can dash towards enemies.
• Alternate Weapon (Craftable from Level 2): Halberd of Restraint
  • Executioners can pull in enemies within a certain area.

Executioners also generate class-exclusive items throughout the game.

• Stun Ball: Stuns enemies for 2 seconds.
• Liquid Courage: Enhances moving speed and boosts HP for a certain amount of time.

[h2]Ranger[/h2]
"Always stay alert. I might come for you from atop the trees, the thickest undergrowth, or from right behind you."

A Ranger can either become a sniper who deals damage from afar or a stealthy assassin that dives in for a sneak attack.

• Default Weapon: Fatal Crossbow
  
  • Powerful long-range weapon.
• Alternate Weapon (Craftable from Level 2): Blade of Invisibility
  • Short-ranged melee weapon that allows Rangers to turn invisible for a certain amount of time.
  • Attacking enemies from behind or during an invisible state will apply more damage.

Rangers also generate class-exclusive items throughout the game.

• Snare Trap: Rangers can set up traps and root enemies for 5 seconds.
• Stun Grenade: The same old stun grenade.

[h2]Pyromancer[/h2]
"Aah... the smell of burning flesh."

A Pyromancer specializes in assaulting multiple enemies at once with deadly fire.

• Default Weapon: Gloves of Calamity
  
  • Allows Pyromancers to attack with Fireballs.
    
  • Deals great damage but is difficult to wield.
• Alternate Weapon (Craftable from Level 2): Hellfire Cannon
  • Can fire infinitely.
  • May overheat and be unusable for a certain amount of time if continuously used.

Pyromancers also cast spells throughout the game.

• Firewall: Generates large firewalls to block the enemy's path.
  
• Meteor Shower: Generates powerful meteors. This can only be activated when the Pyromancer's necklace is Level 3 or above.

[h2]Cleric[/h2]
"I'm not a nice doctor; BLEED to HEAL!"

A Cleric is an aggressive healer that can lock in melee combat.

• Default Weapon: Mace of Suffering and Aegis of Light
  
  • The Mace of Suffering is a melee weapon that causes enemies to bleed for a certain amount of time.
    
  • Using the Mace of Suffering on teammates will restore their HP.
    
  • The Aegis of Light blocks crossbow attacks.
• Alternate Weapon (Craftable from Level 2): Triage Shotgun
  
  • Shooting teammates will restore their HP.
    
  • Shooting enemies will debuff them and cause slight damage.

Clerics also generate class-exclusive items throughout the game.

• Vitality Bomb: Restores HP.
  
• First Aid Kit: Healing item that can be shared with teammates.

[h2]Items and Crafting[/h2]

• Halloween Battle Royale has its own set of items spawned throughout the map, so players won't be finding any weapons, ammo, throwables, boosts, or equipment.
  
  • However, bandages will spawn.
    
  • The items that players will find will mostly be ingredients to upgrade weapons, rings, and necklaces.
• Each class-specific weapon, ring, and necklace given to the players at the beginning cannot be dropped or traded.

• Players can open the crafting window by pressing Tab.
  
• The looted ingredients are used to upgrade players' weapons, ring, and necklace.
  
• Players can right-click to upgrade craftable items (which will glow up).
  
• Since each class has two weapons, players will be shown two weapon-crafting routes.
  
  • Each class's Level 1 weapon is set as default but starting from Level 2, players can choose to craft to either of the two weapons (Ex. Players can craft a Executioner's Level 1 Axe to Level 2 Axe OR Level 2 Halberd).

[h2]Treasure Chests (Care Packages)[/h2]

Treasure falling from the sky! The care packages will be looking like Treasure Chests in Halloween Battle Royale.

• Treasure Chests contain general and Level 5 crafting ingredients.
  
• Dropped Treasure Chests will be marked on the map.
  
• Players will have to damage the Treasure Chest to open it.
  
• The squad that successfully opens and interacts with the Treasure Chest is given an invincibility buff for 10 seconds.

[h2]Vehicles[/h2]

• Instead of normal vehicles and planes, Halloween Battle Royale will only have the "Night Slayer" UAZ and Ghost Ships.
  
• Vehicles' speed and HP were nerfed in this mode to prompt more dynamic gameplay.

[h2]Service Schedule[/h2]

Halloween Battle Royale will be available at the Arcade during the following period.

PC & Console

• PC & Console: September 27, 7 AM ~ October 10, 7 AM UTC

[h2]Gameplay Settings[/h2]

• Map: Erangel
  
• TPP Only
  
• 20 Squads of 4 (Max. 80 players per match)
  
• Halloween Battle Royale only supports 4-Man Squads
  
  • It will automatically find teammates for you if you're not a full squad

[h2]Arcade Gameplay[/h2]

• Does not provide XP or gameplay rewards.
  
• Will not be reflected on the Career page.
  
• Will not be reflected in your Match History.
  
• Does not support replays.

See you on the Battlegrounds.

Hello players!

We are sharing the banned players list for 9/18~9/24 to raise awareness about the abuse of illegal software and consequences of misconduct. Please refer to the list of players who have been banned for violating rules of conduct.

• Investigation Period: 2023/09/18~2023/09/24
  
• List of permanently banned accounts

※ The banned players list attached on this page shows the in-game nicknames of the permanently banned accounts, and the first 3 letters of each nickname have been replaced with "*".
※ Please report illegal software and misconduct through in-game reports first and if you need additional assistance, please contact PUBG Support.
※ To ensure that your valuable account is not abused or banned for using illegal software/misconduct, please make sure you sign up for Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator.

※ How to Set Up Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator

We highly value your interest and opinions that contribute to PUBG's anti-cheat efforts. We will do our best to provide a fair gaming environment.

Thank you.

PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS Anti-Cheat Team

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Hello, PUBG Esports fans!

As we gear up for the upcoming PGC 2023, we're thrilled to unveil the PGC 2022 Champion Edition Skins. Unlike previous offerings, these sets are enriched with gear skins, meticulously designed by the reigning champions themselves, Natus Vincere.

Dive into the game with a skin that not only enhances your visuals but also resonates with the heartbeat of champion-level gameplay!

[h2]NAVI PGC 2022 Champion Edition Skins
[/h2]
[h3]NAVI PGC 2022 Champion Edition SET (1,050 G-Coin)
[/h3]- NAVI PGC 2022 Champion Edition Backpack (Level 3)
- NAVI PGC 2022 Champion Edition - Helmet (Level 3)
- NAVI PGC 2022 Champion Edition - Vest (Level 2)
- NAVI PGC 2022 Champion Edition - Pan

* 25% of the NAVI PGC 2022 Champion Edition SET sales will be distributed to the team Natus Vincere.

[h3]Sales Period
[/h3]PC: September 27, 2 AM - October 25, 2 AM (UTC)
Console: September 27, 4 AM - October 25, 4 AM (UTC)

Hello players.

As we near the latter half of 2023, we've seen some significant changes within PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS since the unveiling of our 2023 Roadmap. Among the various topics that have garnered your inquiries, there's one that particularly stands out: What steps are we taking to address cheating?

In today's Anti-Cheat Dev Letter, we embark on a retrospective journey through the first half of 2023 and offer a glimpse into our future plans. We'll delve into the Anti-Cheat initiatives undertaken since our previous Anti-Cheat Dev Letter in December 2021 and give you a sneak peek at our plans for the remainder of 2023.

[h2]2021 ~ 2023 Understanding Metrics and Current Status[/h2]

Our Anti-Cheat Team analyzes various internal metrics to track the state of illegal software. Today, we'll focus on the most important one, the "Percentage of Suspected Cheaters," to explain the current state of Anti-Cheat.

As outlined in our December 2021 Dev Letter, we've reduced the percentage of suspected cheaters by around 47% since the second half of 2021. This was achieved by deploying our proprietary Anti-Cheat system, Zakynthos, and making enhancements to our hardware ban system.

However, from October 2022, the situation deteriorated as it showed a resurgence in the percentage of suspected cheaters due to several challenges, including an uptick in the circumvention of hardware bans. In response, we have embarked on two missions: to fortify our countermeasures and to prevent cheaters from re-entering the game. As a result, since June 2023, we have observed metrics aligning with or surpassing previous benchmarks.



While the current percentage of suspected cheaters represents an improvement relative to the past, our work is far from complete. Our commitment is to ensure that the impact of our Anti-Cheat measures is palpable to our players, and we pledge to share our progress in a detailed and transparent manner.

Today, we'd like to share some of the vital Anti-Cheat activities undertaken in the first half of 2023 and outline the additional work planned for the latter half of the year to ensure a fair gaming environment.

[h2]Anti-Cheat Activities in '23. 1H[/h2]

First, we will share the major Anti-Cheat activities carried out in the first half of 2023.

[h3]Enhancing Countermeasures against Cheating[/h3]

To improve player experience concerning illegal software, we primarily focused on bolstering our cheater detection capabilities. We've directed considerable efforts toward refining our proprietary Anti-Cheat solution, Zakynthos, with the incorporation of new features aimed at swifter and more accurate cheater detection. Consequently, in the first half of this year, we successfully pinpointed and banned approximately 1.7 million accounts—a 39% increase compared to last year's timeframe.



Furthermore, we've fortified the security of our game client. We identified vulnerabilities within our existing game engine that made it easier for illegal software developers to access and analyze our data. In April and July, we implemented enhancements to cover these vulnerabilities, and we remain committed to further raising the bar for illegal software development.

[h3]Preventing the Re-Entry of Cheaters[/h3]

We've also made several enhancements to address hardware ban circumvention, which began to increase in the latter half of 2022. As a result, hardware bans increased by approximately 28% compared to the first half of 2022. We believe that these enhancements, combined with the improvements to our detection capabilities mentioned earlier, have worked together to deter cheaters from re-entering the game, reducing the percentage of suspected cheaters.

Furthermore, as previously mentioned in our Dev Letter: Tackling the Supply of Accounts Used for Cheating, we've observed some positive changes, including a reduced supply of accounts used for cheating. This positive shift has been achieved through our strengthened response to Survival Mastery Level abuse. While we continue to bolster our actions against Survival Mastery Level abuse, we also plan on utilizing our hijacked account detection model to address accounts used by cheaters in Ranked.

[h2]Plans for '23. 2H[/h2]

While we have made notable strides in reducing the number of suspected cheaters compared to prior years, we acknowledge that there is always room for improvement. We understand that some players still may not feel a significant decrease in cheaters. To combat this, our Anti-Cheat Team will continue to implement the measures taken in the first half of the year to reinforce our response further and deter the re-entry of cheaters. Moreover, we remain steadfast in our commitment to address additional challenges, which we will outline below.

[h3]Enhancing Detection Capabilities and Preventing the Re-Entry[/h3]

We will continue enhancing Zakynthos to expedite the detection of illegal software usage. Two key additions are currently in the works to strengthen its detection capabilities. 

In addition, we are dedicated to training and enhancing the Survival Mastery Level abuse detection model, which we introduced in our previous Dev Letter. We also plan to develop a model for determining whether an account has been hijacked. We have already completed the initial development of a highly accurate account hijacking detection model and intend to refine its precision to apply it to various Anti-Cheat measures.

[h3]Continuing to Improve False Ban Issues[/h3]

We are aware of the fact that many players have consistently shared their feedback regarding the issue of innocent players facing temporary bans during investigations.

While we've been working on refining the various ban-triggering conditions, we acknowledge that we have yet to reach the level of detail you've asked for. Therefore, we've gone beyond simply tweaking these conditions and implemented comprehensive improvements to enhance ban accuracy. These improvements focus on reducing the chances of innocent players being erroneously banned by refining the characteristics that distinguish cheaters from legitimate players. We've initiated these improvements since August and will continue refining them.

[h3]Reinforcing the Authentication Process for Ranked[/h3]

Besides the mentioned Anti-Cheat measures, we are also exploring systemic approaches to deter cheaters from re-entering the game. For instance, we are working on enhancing mobile authentication for Ranked and plan to implement it in November. We will share more information on this in upcoming Dev Letters.

By expanding our monitoring scope, we are also gearing up for a more robust response to the issue of players with abnormal records listed at the top of Ranked leaderboards. Moreover, we will persist in efforts to thwart the incorporation of illegal software features that exploit vulnerabilities in game design.

[h2]Concluding Today's Anti-Cheat Dev Letter[/h2]

Although we have outlined several Anti-Cheat initiatives In today's Dev Letter, we acknowledge that further efforts are necessary to ensure a fair gaming environment. Our Anti-Cheat Team will remain steadfast in fighting against illegal software, and we promise to do our best to make players feel the impact of our actions. We pledge to keep you informed about our Anti-Cheat updates and genuinely value your feedback.

We kindly request your continued support and trust, and we look forward to sharing more in the next Dev Letter.


Thank you.

PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS Anti-Cheat Team

Hello players!

We are sharing the banned players list for 9/11~9/17 to raise awareness about the abuse of illegal software and consequences of misconduct. Please refer to the list of players who have been banned for violating rules of conduct.

• Investigation Period: 2023/09/11~2023/09/17
  
• List of permanently banned accounts

※ The banned players list attached on this page shows the in-game nicknames of the permanently banned accounts, and the first 3 letters of each nickname have been replaced with "*".
※ Please report illegal software and misconduct through in-game reports first and if you need additional assistance, please contact PUBG Support.
※ To ensure that your valuable account is not abused or banned for using illegal software/misconduct, please make sure you sign up for Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator.

※ How to Set Up Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator

We highly value your interest and opinions that contribute to PUBG's anti-cheat efforts. We will do our best to provide a fair gaming environment.

Thank you.

PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS Anti-Cheat Team