PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, the game that initially inspired Fortnite’s Battle Royale mode, is now taking a page out of Fortnite’s playbook by bringing back its original map, Erangel. Renamed as Erangel Classic, this revival aims to capture the essence of the game’s early days by reintroducing the original map layout and locations that were lost in subsequent updates.
In addition to restoring the original map, Erangel Classic will feature gameplay tweaks aimed at enhancing the player experience. These include rebalanced weapons with reduced recoil and extended time to knock down enemies, reintroduction of bench weapons, revival of fog and rain weather conditions, and a redesigned user interface with a “vintage” feel. The developers have described the new interface elements with a touch of nostalgia, referring to them as “charmingly tacky”.
Once players land on the island, they will encounter the return of the Tommy Gun in care packages and the ability to pick up clothes and helmets from the ground, reminiscent of the game’s early days. These additions aim to evoke a sense of nostalgia among players who have been part of the game since its inception.
Erangel Classic will replace the current iteration of the game’s map for a limited period of two weeks, from May 14th to May 28th. During this time, players can access the classic map by entering a Normal Match. This limited-time event is designed to attract players who may have drifted away from the game and entice them to revisit the classic gameplay experience.
Inspired by Fortnite
This move by PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds to revive Erangel Classic bears a striking resemblance to Fortnite’s strategy of revisiting past seasons to engage players and evoke nostalgia. It is not the first time PUBG has taken inspiration from its popular rival, with the recent addition of destructible terrain bringing it closer to Fortnite’s build-and-destroy gameplay loop.
Overall, the resurrection of Erangel Classic in PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds signifies a nostalgic trip back in time for long-time players, while also attracting new players to experience the game’s roots. By borrowing elements from its competitors and revisiting its own history, PUBG aims to stay relevant in the ever-evolving landscape of battle royale games.
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