PUBG tweaks crate system as it looks to ‘steer clear of revenue models that fail to satisfy fans’

The development team behind PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds – commonly shortened to PUBG – has revealed its making changes to its crate system.

As it currently stands, crates bought with BP (battle points) can sometimes also require an additional key to access its contents. However, the developer noted that “through player feedback”, it discovered “players do not get enjoyment out of opening crates as they currently exist”. 

“As PUBG grows and develops as a game, it’s important that we also take a look at the older systems that our fans interact with,” explained Sujin Kim from PUBG Item Production Dev Team (thanks, GI.biz). “One such system that we’ve been looking at for a while now is the current crate system. Since PUBG’s early days, crates have been distributed directly or randomly through the BP system, with some then requiring a key purchase to open.”

“We have been thinking about this carefully and we want to ensure that we steer clear of revenue models that fail to satisfy fans, especially if they include a low success rate,” Kim said. “We will continue to tweak our business model where possible to offer more compelling value for the money you choose to spend with us.”

Looking ahead, after December 18th, 2019, players of the original battle royale game will no longer need to buy additional keys to unlock random loot found in crates. If you’ve already got a locked crate in your inventory, however, you’ll still be able to buy a key to unlock it.

“We know players have been asking for changes to the crate system for quite some time and hope that these changes prove our commitment to keeping purchases in PUBG a fun and rewarding experience,” Kim concluded. “Whether you play without additional spend, purchase the seasonal Survivor Passes, pick up cool skins on the Store, or open and sell crates on the Marketplace, we want your interaction with PUBG to be worth your time and money. As always, please let us know if you have any feedback on this new system and we’ll see you on the Battlegrounds!”

Sledgehammer Games’ co-founder Glen Schofield recently joined PUBG Corporation as CEO of Striking Distance, a brand new studio located in San Ramon, California. Striking Distance is an independent development studio wholly owned by PUBG Corporation.

The company reports Schofield is building “a world-class development team from the ground up” to create “an original narrative experience within the PUBG universe”.