By Sagar V. Mankar 
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) took the gaming world by storm when it launched in 2017, popularizing the exciting battle royale genre.
When it launched, it ranked as the top most played “paid” game on Steam and still holds this record (Palworld nearly came closer to it).
Though still hugely popular, the developer Krafton is continuously improving it to keep fans hooked.
Now, publisher Krafton is leveraging the game’s continued success to expand the brand.
New press releases reveal ambitious plans to franchise PUBG, Improment in Game, and double down on AI investment.
Expanding The Iconic Battle Royale Universe
First up, Krafton aims to unleash more PUBG upon the world by franchising the IP and increasing development.
The company is bulking up internal studios and outsourcing to pump out new games set in the tactical battle royale universe made famous by PUBG.
This likely means more spin-offs and ancillary titles that leverage the core mechanics of the original.
Rumors indicate a PUBG lore-based single-player game may already be in the works.
Krafton already announced a new extraction shooter – named “Project Black Budget“ which will launch later in 2024.
In addition to it, new battle royale hybrids with MMORPGs or tower defense games are down the line.
Wherever the franchise spreads its chicken dinner wings, fans worldwide are ready to drop in and battle for that sweet loot.
Krafton is wise to capitalize on PUBG’s monumental popularity in this way.
Visual And Audio Upgrades
An absolute game-changer is the upcoming integration of Unreal Engine 5 which will massively level up visuals and audio.
With cutting-edge effects and optimization tools, maps and weapons will gain shocking realism.
We’ll see lifelike materials, terrain destruction, volumetric fog, and cinematic lighting that pull you deeper into the experience.
The soundscape is getting similar love too for pinpoint enemy footsteps and bullet cracks.
Soon you’ll be able to audibly identify guns fired across the map.
This ear for detail could save your skin during close-quarter firefights. Bring it on!
New Modes And Mechanics
Beyond eye and ear candy, variation is the spice of gaming.
Krafton is cooking up new genres, platforms, and play modes to expand the franchise’s flavor profile.
Think quick deathmatch modes, 50v50 team battles, zombies, and maybe even a PUBG dating sim? Okay, maybe not that last one.
But serious talk – a wider net of game modes will reel in bigger audiences and provide more replay value.
We could also see limited-time events with specialty modes and modifiers to continually surprise die-hard fans.
AI And Algorithmic Alchemy
The other key announcement is Krafton’s intent to utilize AI and deep learning tech to enhance development and craft next-gen gaming experiences.
AI will likely assist with menial design tasks, freeing up human creativity for the finer touches.
We could also see in-game opponents powered by algorithms to enable more complex single-player modes.
This technology remains divisive, but one thing is certain – AI will play a huge role in gaming’s future.
By investing heavily in this bleeding-edge tech, Krafton is future-proofing the PUBG franchise for longevity.