"We have to go a different path" - Krafton thinks PUBG Ded.Net's pulpy gameshow hyperviolence and roguelite twist can make it the next big battle royale
Player Unknown's Battlegrounds is arguably one of the most important games to release in the past decade. If H1Z1 built the foundation of the battle royale genre, PUBG certainly shaped it into the form that remains hugely successful today. We would not have seen the battle royale craze of the late 2010s without it, and millions of people around the world wouldn't know the brutal arena thrills of…
The story of PUBG and its future in the battle royale genre has taken a new turn with the development of Ded.Net, a game from Krafton's Wisconsin studio, PUBG Madison. Formerly known as PUBG, the franchise has built a strong reputation over the past decade, shaping the battle royale genre and introducing millions to its brutal arena thrills. However, with Fortnite stealing the crown, Krafton's new project has the challenge of standing out while staying true to the core principles of a battle royale.
Creative director Dave Curd, tasked with introducing PUBG to a new audience, has described the game's fundamental concept as "desperate survival" or "survival of the fittest." This same theme finds a new home in Ded.Net, which is essentially a third-person battle royale shooter with a pulpy, violent twist. Players drop into a map and fight over resources in a shrinking circle, with the game drawing inspiration from 90s violent media and gameshow formats.
What sets Ded.Net apart from other battle royales is its implementation of pick-three-style roguelite elements. After each match, players can choose upgrades from a selection of three options, which can have either positive or negative impacts on subsequent games. This adds a layer of strategy and unpredictability, aiming to alleviate the frustration often associated with losing in battle royales.
For example, a player might gain the ability to dual-wield shotguns but also face the risk of failing to reload or experience difficulty swimming.
By introducing these unexpected twists and mechanics, Ded.Net aims to make the experience more enjoyable and less crushing when losses occur. The team has worked to ensure these gameplay elements feel meaningful, with multiple players even having the chance to be a creepy doll in the same match. The doll-on-body attachment points allow for a unique fighting system, and when an ally and an enemy doll are on the same body, they engage in a bespoke doll fighting system.
Ultimately, Ded.Net seeks to capture the strengths of PUBG while addressing its weaknesses. The game promises to provide keystone moments of thrilling gameplay while maintaining the unique, out-there ultra-violent elements that make it stand out in the battle royale landscape.
Written by urgent.news from Eurogamer's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
