PUBG: DED.NET creative director Dave Curd has articulated a philosophy for game development that actively eschews broad, inoffensive appeal, arguing that such an approach has become "box office poison." Instead, Krafton's forthcoming title aims to cultivate a passionate fanbase through a distinct and potentially divisive experience. "I think making something that can really get a fandom, something where people feel seen and they connect with, and have just as many detractors, I think that's wiser than kind of, ‘Well, let's make sure nobody's too offended and everybody kind of likes it,’" Curd stated in an interview.
DED.NET, a spin-off from the battle royale progenitor PUBG, retains the core objective of outlasting opponents but introduces significant divergences. It features persistent roguelite progression, a 1990s-inspired "Grunge House" aesthetic, and matches capped at approximately 25-30 minutes, offering a more condensed experience than its predecessor. The game is also built from the ground up for consoles and is set in a fictionalized 1996 Cascadia, drawing inspiration from the Pacific Northwest of that era.
Curd described DED.NET as the "rogue version" of the PUBG formula, emphasizing a focus on chasing builds, engaging in emergent comedic situations, and immersing players in a world influenced by Twin Peaks, The X-Files, and David Cronenberg's body horror. The game's visual and thematic inspirations include grunge bands like Nirvana, Italian zombie films, and Grindhouse cinema. "We're trying to make a real evocative, love it or hate it experience," Curd added.
This intentional pursuit of a strong reaction aims to combat player apathy, which Curd considers detrimental to a game's success. "Audiences will forgive anything but being bored," he asserted. "I think even if they hate us, they may respect us for taking a big swing."
The DED.NET development team has already observed positive engagement during playtests, with players developing attachments to the nine-character roster and their interrelationships. "We're talking two or three days into our last play test, we're getting fan art depicting these love triangles," Curd shared, indicating a rapid connection to the game's characters and world.
The genesis of DED.NET stemmed from a directive to "spread the gospel of PUBG to the non-believers," as Curd sought to find new audiences for the PUBG IP beyond its core tactical shooter base. Recognizing PUBG's strength as an "infinite story engine" due to its single-match survival narrative, the team explored how this could be adapted into a multi-match journey. Early concepts involving literal injury persistence proved unpopular with playtesters, leading to a refinement where persistent effects are more narrative and character-driven, such as sneezing in smoke or fumbling weapon swaps, adding unique story elements to each playthrough.
This approach mirrors sentiments from other developers, such as Arrowhead, creators of Helldivers 2, whose studio tagline is "A game for everyone is a game for no one." Curd believes that by embracing a distinctive identity, DED.NET can forge a dedicated following, much like the Mustang is preferred over the Bronco for those seeking a specific driving experience.
PUBG: DED.NET is slated for release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. Players can currently register for an upcoming closed beta. The exact release window has not yet been announced.