The next monthly update for PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is now available for download, a bit later than its predecessors but feature-rich just the same. And there are plenty of surprises to be found in the July patch alongside the new features we’d already been promised by Bluehole.
Earlier this month, PUBG Lead Designer Brendan Greene confirmed the next monthly update would bring a handful of features some fans had expected since launch, including a field of view slider and first-person only servers. But the July update, which didn’t actually make it to Steam until Aug. 1, also delivers another round of server and client optimizations, gun tweaks, balance changes and another round of bug fixes. The patch also introduces a new sniper rifle, the Mk14 EBR, that uses 7.62mm ammo and the standard sniper rifle accessories. We don’t have any hard stats yet, but the fact that it can only be recovered from care packages suggests the Mk14 EBR will be a stronger weapon than the SKS or Kar98K. There are also some new options in the character creator and a dozen tweaks to the PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds UI.
In less happy news, Greene also used his latest Steam post to address the chatter surrounding Bluehole’s decision to implement paid item drops during PUBG ’s stint in Early Access. Some fans were upset by the decision to start charging for cosmetic items before the final game has been released. Greene cited a need to balance the game’s Marketplace economy as the primary reason to sell non-essential items before PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is complete.
“I do understand your concerns about the system, but I feel testing for a sturdy economy on the Steam Marketplace is necessary at this stage and ultimately beneficial for the game. And once again, this is a purely optional system, and you are not forced into participating if you do not feel like it,” Greene wrote.
“But still, I must admit that our messaging wasn’t very clear, so I extend my sincere apologies for the confusion caused. The process of communicating our intentions precisely to our fans and communities should have been done in a more careful and prudent manner. I’ve learned a lot, and we’ll try to communicate better moving forward.“
Here are the patch notes for PUBG ’s fourth monthly update, via Steam:
Server Optimization
Optimized fences, doors, and windows
Optimized vehicle physics
Client Optimization
Optimized memory usage for world objects
Optimized terrain rendering
Optimized vehicle physics
Optimized User Interface
New Items
Added new weapon Mk14 EBR. Mk14 EBR is a Designated Marksman Rifle that can only be obtained from Carepackages. This weapon is chambered for 7.62mm and sniper rifle attachments
Character
Added two new face presets and hairstyles to character customization for both genders
Gameplay
Added 1st Person server options to NA and EU Solo and Duo game-modes
Players who choose 1st Person mode will be matched together
Character view is set to 3rd Person mode in starting airplane and during free fall from the airplane. This will be set to 1st Person only in a future update
Camera will stay still while looting items to prevent dizziness
Added a new feature to report players
Some people killed knocked-out teammates in order to avoid giving kill count to an opponent who knocked them down. Now the kill count will still go to the opponent in this specific case.
Added new animation when using different consumables
Improved camera transition when disabling Free look feature (Alt Key)
Decreased the reload time of VSS
Players may now re-enter games if they have been disconnected mid-game
You may now play with Xbox controllers, and we will continue to make improvements with Xbox controllers
Sound volume difference from inside and outside of building is more obvious
Added new sound effect while scoping or aiming weapon
Added new effects when a character is running or sprinting over different types of surfaces
Improved character animation without any weapon or with melee weapon
Added slight delay when using the drag-and-drop feature on items in inventory UI. We implemented this delay to provide a fair gameplay environment to all players
Improved post-process effect when a character takes damage outside of the blue circle
Items and Vehicles
Added a lower rail attachment slot to SKS
You may now honk a car horn when sitting in the driver's seat with Left Mouse Click
Decreased the chance of vehicle explosion after the vehicle gets stuck in objects
Vehicle driving sound will change slightly in FPP and TPP modes
Added new sound effects for motorcycle tire screech while driving
Eliminated firing delay of S1897 from pump action after reload
Improved effects of boats
Added spark effect to flat tires
Reduced cast time of First Aid Kit / Painkiller to 6 seconds
Reduced cast time of Med Kit / Adrenaline Syringe to 8 seconds
UI
Added more features and hot keys to the Options Menu
Added new option for V-Sync
You may now designate a maximum of two different keys for each key bind
Added new option to set toggle on certain actions and features
You may now use Mouse wheel up/down as one of your key binds
Added new keybinds, such as all mute (Ctrl+M) and switching Voice Channel (Ctrl+Y), and a new option to adjust the volume of voice chat
Added new keybinds to use specific throwables
Added Colorblind Mode
Added an FOV slider for 1st person view
Added some region names to the mini map
Added new option to display helmet, vest, and backpack equipped on HUD UI. This HUD UI will be updated further in the future
Added new option to display all equipped weapons on the right side of the screen. This UI will be updated further in the future
Bug fixes
Partially fixed client crash issues
Fixed an issue of weapons sporadically ceasing to fire despite being set to auto firing mode
You may not use consumables in vehicles underwater
Fixed bugs below while spectating another character
A character appeared to be shaking when the character moves around
Camera swing when a character scopes while walking
Camera swing when a character peeks left or right while scoping
A character appeared to be shaking when the player moves his mouse while scoping in Prone
Characters farther than 500m away from a vehicle will no longer hear the tire screech sound
Fixed post-process bug underwater in FPP mode
Fixed an issue of the reloading sound getting played repetitively after dropping a weapon while reloading
Fixed the probability of getting rainy weather to previous value
Fixed a bug where a character could not equip attachment with full inventory
Fixed a bug where weapons would continue to play looped reload animation even after canceling the reload
Fixed a bug where a character could see through the other side of wall when scoping or crouching against certain walls
Fixed a bug where a character sitting on objects inside of certain buildings could see through ceilings and walls
Fixed sporadic issue of disabling in-game UI
Eliminated bombing outside of Red Zone
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is available in Early Access. The full version is expected before the end of 2017 and an Xbox One port is slated for early 2018.
Be sure to check back with Player.One and follow Scott on Twitter for more PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds news in 2017 and however long Bluehole supports PUBG in the years ahead.
