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'PUBG' developer plans three month sprint to 'fix the game'
PUBG Corp has unveiled a three month roadmap to improve PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds in response to a "fix the game" clarion call from certain pockets of its fanbase. The scheme will cover server performance, anti-cheat solutions, and vows to iron out several bugs and UI inconsistencies.
Battle royale shooter 'H1Z1' officially arrives on PS4
You're in a tough spot if you're a PS4 owner who likes battle royale, but doesn't care much about Fortnite. PUBG is a no-go, Realm Royale is still in a closed beta and titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 will cost money just to play. It's a good thing, then, that Daybreak has officially launched H1Z1 after weeks of open testing. The free-to-play shooter makes its formal debut on the console with familiar game mechanics that focus on fast-paced matches in a semi-realistic world. The main improvement is content -- the 'finished' version has considerably more than you initially saw in the beta.
'PUBG' brings fickle weather patterns back to its big maps
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds has a new patch with quality-of-life improvements, bug fixes and a few notable features to add a bit of realism. Random weather patterns return to the game's first two maps, Erangel and Miramar. The update also enables bullets to penetrate arms and hands, doing more damage if they would hit more vulnerable body parts behind them. In other words, your character's flailing limbs won't block higher-damage headshots anymore.
'Fortnite' update adds explosives-only mode, revives guided missiles
As promised, Fortnite has its guided missile back... plus something extra. Epic has released a 5.10 update that reintroduces the missile in a toned-down version (that is, slower and less powerful), but also introduces a limited time Fly Explosives mode to spice things up. You can only find explosive weapons in this mode -- the key to survival is finding jetpacks, which have been tweaked to keep you in the air for longer. If you're not raining death from above, you probably won't last long.
'Fortnite' will bring back guided missiles in a softer, gentler form
Fortnite's guided missile certainly had its moments, but Epic dropped it with an April patch for a reason -- it was so powerful (and ammo so plentiful) that you could make life a living hell for anyone who wasn't an immediate threat. Flash forward a few months and Epic is ready to bring the weapon back... albeit not as you knew it. Epic has revealed in a developer update,that the guided missile will come back to battle royale mode, but that it's now meant as more of a "scouting tool" than a game-deciding weapon.
Epic quickly nerfs the new 'Fortnite' SMG after complaints
The v5.10 Fortnite update that brought back our beloved Playground mode also added something else -- this new gun. Unfortunately, the "high capacity, fast firing Compact SMG" was just a little too overpowered, and many high-profile players quickly complained that it made the game a race to get the SMG so one could chew through their enemies (and their buildings, as the starting and max health of many materials dropped at the same time). While Epic has been up front about wanting to make the endgame more exciting and less focused on build-offs as it pushes for esports viability, this particular tweak may have gone too far. As a result, the company quickly lowered the accuracy, range and damage done by the new gun and existing SMGs. Check below for the (now-live) adjusted SMG values, and a few clips of the gun at work as it existed prior to the nerf.
'PUBG Mobile' adds fast-paced War Mode and clans
PUBG Mobile just got some spicier gameplay, whether you're just looking for a quick fix or striving for glory. Both Android and iOS versions of the game now include War Mode, which ditches the familiar battle royale in favor of a deathmatch-style experience where respawns are available and kill counts are the key to victory. At the same time, competitive players are getting their fill with clan support (including insignia, missions and a Clan Shop).
Realm Royale’s closed beta starts on consoles next week
After amassing thousands of viewers on Twitch.tv, and briefly cracking Steam's top five most-played games in its second week of release, Hi-Rez Studio's decision to bring its free-to-play fantasy shooter Realm Royale (formerly Paladins: Battlegrounds) to consoles could be a wise one, even if it has plenty of competition from the likes of H1Z1, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, and Fortnite: Battle Royale.
'Fortnite' Playground mode returns on July 25th
Don't worry if you're still suffering from withdrawal symptoms while Epic retools Fortnite's Playground mode -- its return is just around the corner. The developer has confirmed that its sandbox-like option is coming back on July 25th, complete with the promised team selection options. You'll find more details in the notes for the upcoming 5.10 update.
Even the World Cup couldn't escape the 'Fortnite' fever
Now that England is out of the 2018 World Cup, there's one thing we're really going to miss about its team: The goal celebrations from midfielders Dele Alli and Jesse Lingard. While professional athletes creatively expressing themselves after scoring is nothing new, these guys stood out because their quirky moves were inspired by none other than Fortnite. Best of all, they did it at the world's biggest sporting event. Fortnite's mark on the World Cup in Russia is just the latest example of how inescapable the Epic Games' survival title is.
The next big 'Fortnite' eSports event is an $8 million, 8-week tourney
Epic's Fortnite eSports initiatives are continuing beyond the recent Pro-Am charity tournament. The studio has unveiled a Summer Skirmish series that will hand out $8 million in prizes across eight weeks' worth of competitions, starting with a $250,000 Duos bout this weekend. Just don't expect to jump in -- Epic is choosing players who are either "community creators" (read: streamers) and skilled players, and it has already invited competitors for the first rounds of play. If there are open events, you'll have to wait.
'Fortnite' video contest asks gamers to make their own superhero movie
Consider yourself a budding director? Epic Games is inviting all Fortnite Battle Royale players to participate in an original filmmaking challenge. It involves using the Replay system to create a blockbuster-worthy highlights reel featuring Season 4's heroes, and promises a tempting line-up of rewards for successful applicants. Fortnite's 5th season might begin on July 12, but Epic's contest feels like a natural progression of Season 4's dancing challenge. In week 2, you might remember needing to ostentatiously swing your hips in front of cameras at different locations across the map. The rules are a bit more stringent this time around -- videos need to be between one and five minutes, use royalty free audio, and possess enough creativity and originality to capture Epic's attention -- but the bounty is handsome. Grand prize winners receive the honor of having their film screened at the meteoric Risky Reels drive-in. They also collect 25,000 V-Bucks and a poster of their film gets immortalized in the game. Epic is stretching its generosity out to five finalists who'll receive 10,000 V-Bucks as a consolation prize. If you think you've got what it takes, the Fortnite Blockbuster contest runs until July 11, 11:59PM ET. Epic said it'll announce the victors on July 24. For those who are more eSports-inclined, there's also the upcoming Fortnite competitions, which have an abundant tournament prize pool up for grabs.
'Fortnite' is hosting a mysterious live event this weekend
Fortnite's Playground might be on hold for now, but there will be something to captivate your attention in the near future. Epic Games has been teasing some kind of one-time event in the game's battle royale mode on June 30th at 1:30PM Eastern, with strange sounds from its supervillain stronghold (which holds a rocket) and countdowns on in-game TV screens signalling that something is happening. The developer has been quiet, but pro streamer Muselk has hinted that players will want to be in the vicinity of the rocket at the specified time to see "something big" -- many people suspect a rocket launch.
'Mavericks' promises 1,000-player battle-royale mayhem
It's difficult to stand out in the battle-royale genre right now. Fortnite's bright and zany combat has attracted over 125 million players, while PUBG stands firm with its slower, military-inspired shooting. Blockbuster franchises such as Battlefield and Call of Duty are readying modes inspired by the pair's breakout success. If you're a newcomer like Automaton, a 40-person studio based in Cambridge, England, how do you differentiate and, more importantly, persuade people to switch from the competition? With larger maps and 1,000 player skirmishes, apparently.
'PUBG' creators drop lawsuit over 'Fortnite' battle royale mode
If you were hoping PUBG Corp's lawsuit against Epic Games over Fortnite would be a knock-down drag-out fight to determine which battle royale game emerges triumphant... well, you'll be disappointed. The PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds developer has dropped the South Korean lawsuit, which alleged that Epic was imitating its interface and in-game items through Fortnite's Battle Royale mode. PUBG declined to explain the reason for the change of heart (we've asked Epic for comment), but there are a few potential candidates.
'Fortnite' gets a four-player Playground practice mode
Fortnite: Battle Royale is relentless and unforgiving, affording players no time before 99 other wannabe champions set their sights on each other. In fact, the fast-paced action is one of the biggest barriers for new players -- people rarely have time to get to grips with the game's building mechanics and varying weapon types before they're set upon. Epic Games previously teased that it would introduce a new way for players to practice away from the main island. Playground Mode has arrived as part of today's v4.5 update, giving players a much-needed way to hone their skills before taking them onto the battlefield.
'Fortnite' could partially lose the one thing that makes it unique
To build, or not to build? In 2011, Epic Games took a gamble on an unconventional survival shooter called Fortnite. The far-reaching maps and signature weaponry were all there in the main game, but a new breed of battle royale would shake up the genre's foundations by centering on construction mechanics. Perhaps unbeknownst to Epic at the time, that subtle innovation would pay off -- massively. Following the launch of its free battle royale mode last year, Fortnite has gone from fledgling beta to record-breaking cash cow. But right in the midst of its explosive popularity, Epic seems keen on shaking up the Fortnite formula again -- and top streamers aren't exactly thrilled.
'PUBG' celebrates 50 million sales with first Steam discount
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds is now enjoying its first Steam sale since launch. According to a recent Steam update, the price reduction -- a 33% discount which brings the price of admission down to $19.99 -- honors an important milestone: 50 million global sales.
The ‘Fortnite’-sized ‘PUBG’ map goes live Friday
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds' third map 'Sanhok' will officially go live with a new patch on Friday, June 22nd. Its small-scale area (4km x 4km, a quarter the size of the other two and similar to Fortnite's map sizes) is expected to make for quicker games, and will come with a map-exclusive weapon that replaces the fan-favorite SCAR-L rifle. For now, Sanhok will be exclusive to the PC version.
Sony issues non-response to ‘Fortnite’ cross-play woes on Switch
Fortnite diehards would have been undoubtedly jubilant at the E3 announcement that the battle royale hit had come to Nintendo Switch. Its arrival was even blessed with the inclusion of native voice-chat. Yes, things were peachy until hopeful players tried logging into their Epic Games account on PlayStation 4, and realized they couldn't use their existing Epic accounts to access the game. Even though Sony wasn't directly involved in Fortnite's Switch launch, the company still had a say over how the game could be played.
