PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS News

PUBG Arena mode returns for testing this week

September 23, 2020 PUBG's Arena mode is heading back to Labs for testing again, after being disabled last week.

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds could be getting a "64-person, squad-based" Arena mode. Developer PUBG Corp. recently added the mode to the battle royale game's 'Labs' testing ground as a new experiment, which aims to combine "intense PUBG gunplay with the tactics of an arena shooter". It was disabled shortly after for game stability reasons, but goes back up for testing today (September 23).

"Arena mode is a 64-person, squad-based match that drops you into one of several sectioned-off zones on Erangel, Miramar, or Sanhok," a Labs blog post explains. "You'll fight it out with up to two other squads to claim victory in your arena. Should you lose, your team will lose one of its three chances, which eliminates you once they're gone." Score a victory, on the other hand, and you'll progress into the next round in a "stronger position" than your opponents that lost.

Once the game gets down to three squads or fewer, the mode switches players into a sudden death-style arena. At this point, it's winner-takes-all - regardless of who's got the most chances remaining. There are some other key differences to normal matches, too - primarily, that PUBG weapons don't spawn in the world. "Instead, you will need to use currency that you earn by eliminating other players to purchase your arsenal through the Loadout menu," the post says.

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Jump on a ferry to Erangel in PUBG's latest update

PUBG's new update is an interesting one, to say the least. PUBG Corp. has added a fleet of indestructible ferries to the Erangel map - for all the boat lovers out there. There must be some of you... One...? Oh well.

The four ferries will run on a circular route to and from Sosnovka Island, passing each other on the way - so watch out for enemy fire broadsiding you at the pass. The trip will only take a "couple of minutes" and the ferry will dock for around 20 seconds at each port. Moving away from the inherent comedy value of adding ferries to a military battle royale game, from a tactical perspective the lumbering ships offer an alternate route off the island.

As it stands, the only current way to get away from the island and the similarly-named Sosnovka Military Base where you'll likely be collecting loot is over one of the two bridges. These can prove nasty chokepoints and crossing on foot or by vehicle can leave you ripe for an ambush.

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PUBG's Arena Mode has been disabled after just one day

PUBG Corp. loves creating new modes and experiences within PUBG that are a breath of fresh air compared to the game's regular battle royale mode. However, it's latest creation has been disabled after approximately 24 hours because of stability issues.

The new Arena Mode, which launched yesterday on PUBG Labs, offered players a team-based, first-person perspective tournament experience within sections of the Erangel, Miramar, and Sanhok maps. However, roughly 26 hours after it went live for PC players, it has been pulled as users have reported "a critical issue impacting game stability."

Arena Mode is being offered to PC and console players in two separate windows for each platform. This was the first PC window and was scheduled to last three days from September 18-21. This entire first window has now been dropped. The next PC window runs from September 25-28, so hopefully the issue will be fixed for then. This is also when console players can get their hands on Arena Mode for the first time in PUBG Labs.

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PUBG's new Arena Mode offers players some first-person tournament action

September 18 Arena Mode has been temporarily disabled during the first PC trial due to "a critical issue impacting game stability".

You'd be forgiven for not having heard of PUBG Labs. It's a section of the menu that occasionally pops up to feature more experimental game modes or things that PUBG Corp just wants to try out. You'll find Labs in the main game, not the test server, with its own UI just above the play button.

This time around PUBG Labs is trialing a 64-player tactical arena shooter imaginatively called Arena Mode, starting from September 17, 00:00 PDT (03:00 EDT/08:00 BST) for PC players. You and your team will be dropped into small sections of Erangel, Miramar, and Sanhok to fight it out in first-person perspective with just two opposing teams. Win, and you'll gain an advantage in your next fight. Lose, and you've got two more tries or you're out.

When just three teams remain, you'll battle it out in sudden death with one life and one winner. However, the biggest difference is that loot won't be spawning on the ground. You'll earn currency in your matches, which you can spend equipping yourself and your team with the best loadout for the terrain you're in. It definitely sounds different to PUBG ranked, so it could be a welcome change of pace.

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PUBG Labs: Arena mode

We're thrilled to see so many of you enjoying the new Arena Mode! Based on your response, we have decided to expand Arena Mode's schedule to allow more time for playing and testing it out.

Arena Mode is now available non-stop until October 8.

With this extension, we hope you all really dive in and get a good feel for it. We're looking forward to your feedback! Thank you and we hope you enjoy the Arena!

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Hello Battlegrounds Enthusiasts,

This week we’re bringing you something new that combines intense PUBG gunplay with the tactics of an arena shooter. We call this LABS experiment Arena Mode.

Arena Mode is a 64 person, squad-based match that drops you into one of several sectioned-off zones on Erangel, Miramar, or Sanhok. You’ll fight it out with up to two other squads to claim victory in your arena. Should you lose, your team will lose one of its 3 chances, which eliminates you once they’re gone. Claim victory, and move onto the next round with a stronger position than those who failed. When 3 or fewer squads remain, they’ll enter a Sudden Death arena where the winner takes all, regardless of how many chances you have left.

Arena mode has some other differences from a normal match as well. The biggest of which is that weapons do not spawn in the world. Instead, you will need to use currency that you earn by eliminating other players to purchase your arsenal through the Loadout menu (PC: L key, Console: Map key(System menu/Touch pad) by default). Knocked allies can also be revived in 5 seconds, which is important for maintaining your advantage in such small, intense fights.

Surviving the Arena means teamwork and smart tactical decisions. From matching your loadout to the terrain you’re in, to watching each other’s backs until you’ve got eyes on your enemies, to coordinating your attack, Arena Mode is sure to test your teamwork and communication skills.

Here’s a quick breakdown of all the rules:
[h2]Rules[/h2]

In each round, 2-3 squads will dive into a random, sectioned-off area.
Each squad starts with 3 chances and will be eliminated once those chances are lost.
When 3 or fewer squads remain, they are placed into a sudden death round where the winner takes the chicken, regardless of how many chances each squad has left.
There are no world spawn weapons. You will earn points during each round that can be used to purchase weapons from the Loadout menu (PC: L key, Console: Map key(System menu/Touch pad)).
Other items, such as attachments, helmets and vests, still spawn across the map.

[h2]Game Settings[/h2]

64 players (16 squads)
Erangel, Miramar, and Sanhok
Squadmate revival time: 5 seconds
Adjusted bluezone speed for more intense gameplay
Your team will have 30 seconds to loot upon winning your Arena
Observer Mode Enabled once your team has won an arena or been killed

Arena Mode will be available in LABS over 2 weeks, so make sure to grab your squad and drop in while it’s available.

PC & Console

September 24 (14:00 KST) ~ October 8 (16:00 KST)

As always, your feedback here is important and will help shape the mode should we decide to continue development on it.

We’ll see you in the Arena!