Krafton and PUBG Studios have announced the debut of Project ARC, a new game that branches off from the beloved title PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. Diverging from the familiar third-person battle royale mechanics, this upcoming game will feature a 5v5 top-down shooter format.
Designed as a multiplayer experience, Project ARC aims to differentiate itself with a focus on realistic shooting mechanics that are often overlooked in top-down shooters. Aspects like the height of targets, hit zones, destructible environments, and gun recoil are critical factors in gameplay. Players can select unique characters, each armed with a distinct weapon drawn from the PUBG universe and complemented by a special gadget, such as a Med Kit or Grenade Launcher. At this time, the confirmed gameplay modes include Team Deathmatch and Demolition. The latter operates under rules similar to popular titles like Valorant and Spectre Divide but replaces the traditional bomb with a Decrypter hacking device.
In contrast to The Callisto Protocol, which originated as a PUBG offshoot but evolved into a separate narrative, Project ARC maintains a direct link to the PUBG universe. This connection manifests through the inclusion of weapons and tools inspired by the battle royale game, like the Blue Zone Grenade and the Folded Shield. The development team has shared insights with Digital Trends, stating, “PUBG Studios is currently working on several new projects, including Project ARC. The small ARC Team will pursue fast and bold experimentation.” The development crew consists of fewer than 15 individuals.
Project ARC is set to enter early access on PC in 2025. The developers plan to explore a console release once controller support is established, although a mobile version is not on the roadmap. There are also ongoing discussions about whether Project ARC will adopt a free-to-play model or a premium pricing structure.
