The plans for PUBG in 2018 including another new map

Player Unknown has revealed in a blog post, the road map for this year and the new features coming to PUBG. New emotes, vehicles, and even a new map will be added in 2018.

Player Unknown's Battlegrounds has been slowing down a bit recently with the recent overtaking over Fornite on Twitch. New content is coming though which always sees an increase in player counts and streamers showing off the new stuff. When Operation Chimera went live on Rainbow Six: Siege just this week, it brought in so many players it surpassed its all time player count record. New shiny stuff is good news for players who have either gotten bored of the battle royale or that stopped playing because of hackers. Developers still continue to work on anti-cheat methods, optimisation of the game and stability of its servers. Here are just some of the new things coming to PUBG this year.

New Map

It hasn't been too long since we were graced with Miramar at the start of the year. Barely enough time to learn the ins and outs of every town but enough time that it doesn't feel new anymore. The idea of exploring a new map already sounds exciting.

Concept art for this new map reveals a much smaller area than the two current maps. Erangel and Miramar are both 8x8km but this one is just 4x4km. Brendan Greene (Player Unknown) originally wanted Miramar to be a smaller 4x4 map but ultimately increased it to match the size of Erangel. Many players feel that the desert map is too big, those that survive the initial drop don't see any other players until the end of the game. A smaller map will encourage more encounters and close quarter firefights. The map will be available on the test server next month for players to try. PLUS another 8x8 map currently in the works will be coming soon.

New Map Concept Art

Emotes

The dance emotes in Fortnite add a comical and more casual element to the game. Often they are used to communicate with seemingly friendly enemies before one player shoots the other in the face. PUBG is a bit more serious with its gameplay but that doesn't stop them from being able to use emotes as well. The test server has added the new emote system and plans to add more emotes throughout the year. There are 12 emotes so far that allow you to point, wave, clap and laugh amongst other things. No word on dancing yet though.

Lauging emote

Vehicles and Weapons

Greene plans to add 3 more vehicles in the first half of the year as well as updated sounds and ballistics. Driving sounds like skidding, suspension and driving in the rain will be added. Along with changes to the sounds of player movement like heavy breathing after sprinting or carrying heavy equipment. Bullet penetration of vehicles and limbs, according to Greene, will increase the realism of the game. New weapons and weapon attachments will also be continuously added throughout the year. A preview of one of these new weapons was teased in the development blog. This new rifle will take 7.62 ammo as visible on the side of the weapon in the image.

New 7.62 Rifle

On top of all this, devs will be overhauling the TPP and FPP animations as well as the parachute system. The 3D replay system, hoping to make for easier viewing, is pushing the game to be eSports ready. The test server has now added 37 unlockable achievements and squad voice chat in the main menu. Customisation in the form of Parachute and Weapon skins will be also added in the future and if you aren't excited for that, you're lying.

What are you most looking forward to from PUBG this year?