PUBGis getting a spinoff in the form ofPUBG: Blindspot, and it’ll be taking the IP in an interesting new direction: top-down, 5v5 hero shooter gameplay. However,PUBG: Blindspotis nonetheless steeped in the established universe ofPUBG—with some interesting ties to its predecessor game.
Krafton recently revealed itsin-development Project ARC to bePUBG: Blindspot, and while its gameplay is incredibly different from its battle royale predecessor, it takes place in the same universe. The title will boast tactical shooter gunplay, all through a 5v5 hero shooter lens. Game Rant recently sat down with production director Seungmyeong Yang, who spoke about howBlindspotconnects to the originalPUBG.
How PUBG: Blindspot Ties Into PUBG Explained
How BLINDSPOT Became A PUBG Spinoff
Yang revealed that the upcomingPUBG: Blindspotwasn’t originally envisioned as aPUBGspinoffor with any specific IP in mind. It began as part of Krafton’s gaming incubation program where the core gameplay loop—a shared vision among players thanks to the top-down perspective—served as the initial idea. As it was refined throughout this program, it began to take its current shape and eventually adopted thePUBGidentity since it relied on its gunplay mechanics:
“The core gunplay mechanics originated from PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, and since PUBG STUDIOS has expertise in PvP shooters, we officially began development under PUBG STUDIOS. After open discussions, we decided to include “PUBG” in the title to clearly communicate that it is a shooter developed by PUBG STUDIOS. Ultimately, this project was not originally conceived with a specific original IP in mind.”
According to Yang,PUBG: Blindspot’s core mechanicsoriginated withPUBG’s own gunplay. He elaborated on this point, adding “I personally believe that thePUBGIP’s identity lies in ordinary people wielding firearms. That’s why we want the characters to be regular individuals from this world who each have their own preferred weapons and gadgets.”
Blindspot’s Connection To The PUBG Story
Yang was able to explain the exact way in whichPUBG: Blindspotties into the originalPUBG. The lore ofPUBGis an aspect of the title that isn’t as widely known as its gameplay, but that doesn’t mean its story is without any meat on its bones. Yang revealed that Blindspotis further along the franchise timeline than the originalPUBG, adding,
“PUBG: Blindspot’s setting is based on a dystopian future that is slightly ahead of PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS. In this world, the PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS tournament serves as a means of social mobility, while Tythonic wields power through Blue Chip technology. While this is the central premise, the story is not yet fully finalized, and aspects of it may be adjusted in the future.”
While it remains to be seen how and if this narrative takes a big role inPUBG: Blindspot’s future, it’s interesting to see how the two are connected on this timeline.
