PUBG Mobile’s Big Update Out Now, Adding Arcade and Training Grounds
PUBG Mobile is still fighting the good fight, remaining one of the top free apps on the App Store and Google Play Store despite Fortnite’s clear lead, but it’s not going to give up the ghost yet while it’s still so far on top of the world. PUBG Corp. and Tencent have released a new update for the game’s mobile version, with update 0.4.0 out for everyone to download right now on both iOS and Android. It’s a pretty hefty update, so if you see it up for grabs on your device, go ahead and let it download so you’ll have a swath of new content to pick up.
In particular, the update brings Arcade mode to mobile. This is a 28-player mode that players can join solo or with friends, with each match randomly choosing a special variant and gameplay twist from there. You may need to play with one specific weapon only for an entire match, or there may simply be only that weapon type for everyone playing. It’s a tumultuous battle, but one worth playing due to its chaos and unpredictability. Trust us, it’s a lot of fun.
The Training Grounds mode has also been added, which only lets solo players get in on the fun. Players can practice with both weapons and items before jumping into a match where things actually “count.”
There have also been a series of gameplay tweaks such as adjustment to gameplay and a selection of other additions, such as choosing to have doors opening automatically or not. You can also opt for different animations when your character is either attacked or felled so you can customize things all the way down to that level.
The complete patch notes are below, for those looking to see everything that’s changed:
Arcade Mode
- 28 player mode, with each match taking on one of 6 variations.
- 6 variations: Shotguns, Sniper Rifles, Pistols, all weapons, melee only, and item heaven.
Training Grounds
- Try out items, weapons, and practice your shooting skills.
Combat Optimization
- Follow function has been added, can be used before parachuting and after landing.
- Automatic door opening can now be enabled in settings.
- Pause time between picking up multiple items has been adjusted.
- The teammate elimination icon now disappears after some time.
- Adjusted sound effects for footsteps, UI, vehicles, and entering /exiting the Blue Zone.
- Jumping is no longer affected by sprinting.
- The crosshair is no longer blocked by the camera when standing next to a wall.
- 4X and 8X issues with choppiness have been resolved.
- New animations for being attacked and defeated have been added.
- Improved firing animations.
- Leaning improvements: movement and animation speed increased, “Lean & Open Scope” and “Lean & Fire” have been added.
- Enhanced combat experience: shake/vibration improved, button feedback improved, animations while being attacked have been improved and randomized.
- Camera perspective now switches after death to the player who delivered the killing blow.
Vehicle Improvements
- Motorcycles now have flipping tricks
- Added Nitrous Oxide engine to cars.
- Previously used vehicles are now be marked on the minimap.
Voice Chat Optimization
- Fixed an issue that caused voice chat to stop working after creating a group.
- Fixed crashing issues that have been reported by some players.
- Improved Bluetooth headset issues in iOS (optimization on this is on-going).
- Fixed an issue occurring with Android phones, that was not properly displaying an error when the game did not have access to a microphone.
- Voice chat is now supported by more devices.
UI Improvements
- Added a new background, Dusk
- Players can now swap between a 2 column and 3 column view when opening crates.
- Added 3D touch firing options for iOS.
- Results screen: added a performance chart, daily reward limits are now shown.
In-game Shop
- Rank 1 coupons now available.
- Items & cheats now available.
- New outfits now available (region-specific outfit will be available soon!)
- Duplicate outfits can now be destroyed for currency to purchase new items.