Krafton has revealed a new game set in the PUBG universe, titled PUBG: Dednet, which deviates significantly from the battle royale formula. During Gamescom 2026's Opening Night Live, a trailer showcased a multiplayer FPS characterized by wild abilities and chaotic combat. Creative director Dave Curd, who has spent over nine years at PUBG Studios, described the game as "a game about going on a run," a multi-match journey where players collect new abilities and mitigate injuries between matches to create a unique build.
This approach aims to introduce "pace and persistence" into the experience, elements absent from the classic PUBG. Curd explained that "pace" refers to heightened animation, gunplay, movement, traversal, and the frequency of encounters, while "persistence" fundamentally alters PUBG's core loop of a single, fair match. Dednet is, in essence, a multiplayer FPS roguelite, a genre Curd likens to a "spicy seasoning."
Unlike the original PUBG, where a losing streak might end a session, every match in Dednet contributes to character progression, win or lose. Curd stated that PUBG remains the superior choice for tactical, deliberate gameplay, but Dednet is designed for more lighthearted, "hijinks"-filled sessions. The game will feature abilities that allow players to transform into characters like a "little baby doll with a drill arm" or replace their own arms with machete blades. Combining such abilities with movement options, like sliding and enhanced grass traversal, alongside a "peekaboo" ability that reveals enemy outlines through walls, can lead to potent, albeit absurd, player builds.
Matches begin with a "wake 100" system, where players spawn in one of 100 potential scenarios, such as waking up in a body bag or at the bottom of a lake. Although these spawns are randomized, players can select their starting location and see where other players are choosing to spawn. This allows for strategic choices, from hot-dropping into heavily populated areas to seeking a more secluded start.
Dednet distinguishes itself further by incorporating a narrative layer. The distinct outfits seen in the trailer represent unique characters, not mere cosmetic skins. While characters can mix and match abilities, preventing it from being a hero shooter, they possess individual quests and inter-character relationships, including alliances and rivalries. Curd described the characters as inspired by "grindhouse films, too much Tarantino, and too much Italian zombie horror," creating a "very cohesive story with larger-than-life characters."
After more than two years of development, Krafton is preparing for public playtests to gather further feedback. Players interested in participating can register on the official PUBG Dednet website. This marks a significant expansion for the PUBG brand, with other titles like Black Budget and Blindspot also exploring different FPS subgenres.
