of the world PUBG Expands yet again with the introduction of the stunning and dynamic Rondo map, offering players a whole new experience. In an insightful interview with Taehyun Kim, Director of In-Game Production at PUBG STUDIOS, we dive deep into the creation and unique features of this latest expansion. Kim shares fascinating insight into the creative process behind Rondo and reveals how the team worked to push the boundaries of the battle royale genre. From inspiring landscapes to new strategic elements, Rondo promises to redefine the way players experience and master the game. Let’s dive into the world of Rondo and discover what Taehyun Kim and his team at PUBG STUDIOS have in store for us.
Taehyun Kim commented on the strategic points of the Rondo map as follows:
“We deliberately left a lot of open space in the center to heat up the game there. There will probably be a lot of battles in towns and villages right after landing, but now they can be anywhere in the middle of the map. It will be difficult to secure and retain a good place there.”
There are no “dead” areas when it comes to loot distribution. Kim explained:
“We’ve added new features, elements and different types of content, including loot just for Rondo, and more is coming. A new and special loot system that we developed exclusively for Rondo is also coming soon Best to keep an eye out for January and February updates.”
Regarding the number and type of cars in the Rondo, Kim said:
“Unfortunately, we cannot say anything about the exact number yet. One of the new cars, also seen in the official trailer, is called ‘Blank’ and will be available at Rondo in December. The ‘Blank’ is manufactured by NEOX and is similar to other SUVs. We will soon reveal more vehicles that will be available on Rondo.”
A special feature of the Rondo is its unique design. Kim stressed:
“Each of our maps has its own unique characteristics. Our developers always try to visually design each new map so that it stands out from the others. So far they often have western themes. Deston, our 9th map, was inspired by Texas (USA) and was very popular with many fans of the West. When designing the new map, we wanted to do something new – which led us to create a map with an East Asian touch. Rondo offers a mix of a big city with ultra-modern buildings and old places that are very traditional. It allows players to use different strategies. It also offers many options for activities and feels very fresh with new features and content that gives a different twist to the core elements of Land, Loot, Survive. The new map is huge, so we thought it would be boring to give all locations the same style This is why we decided to include different temporal epochs in the map concept. At the same time, we tried to create a certain uniformity by using the same tones and colors in different designed spaces. In more traditional locations, we also worked with different color tones for buildings and terrain types to add variety.”
Regarding the focus on close-range or long-range combat, Kim explained:
“Unlike Miramar, our focus in Rondo is not on ranged combat. Overall, battles will be more like Erangel or Taigo. However, Rondo’s battles can look very different – depending on where you are on the very large map.”
Regarding gameplay and the relationship between stealth and open combat, Kim said:
“How the fight looks in the early stages depends a lot on how the players choose to play together. If most players prefer safety in the early stages, they will probably spread evenly across the map. However, if offensive players are in the majority, there will be a lot of clashes in the early stages because they will be in some places. Rondo has more variables than other cards. For example, excessive starting levels can put most players off early, which usually leads to early battles. It may also happen that sometimes there is no safe place to loot in the suburbs. Maybe the players are spread across the map – the game is really unpredictable in that regard.”
Regarding map size and its effect on gameplay, Kim said:
“Rondo offers large playable areas with many new elements, so the map can feel a bit overwhelming at first. The distance to get to the shrinking area has also increased accordingly, making the map more challenging than others. Of course, the actual gameplay experience and difficulty level may vary from location to location on such a large map. For this reason, we intentionally flattened all terrain to make it easier for players to navigate. We want to give players time to explore and get used to the new map in the first month after launch. We plan to gradually add more content after this. Our mission is to provide a variety of options and a fresh gaming experience with newly introduced features and content. In Rondo, players can also use new vehicles and modes of transportation. The new car ‘Blank’ will be available from December. But other Rondo-exclusive vehicles will also appear. In addition, we also introduced a new urban mobility system: the escalator. Players can use the escalators located throughout Zadena City to quickly cover short distances between buildings and chase or escape enemies in a more dynamic way.”
About Rondo’s attractions, Kim said:
“Zadena City is a large city in the southeastern part of Rondo – complete with skyscrapers, neon signs, dazzling nightscapes and bridges crossing the city. This makes it the perfect place for dynamic battles. Players can use the new escalators to travel short distances between buildings and fight enemies in unique ways. Surrounded by a dense forest, Yu Lin features tranquil ponds and buildings that showcase the beauty of the Eastern world. To the east you will find a place called May Ran, which seems to be hidden. In this traditional town, players will see buildings and a river where lotuses float. In addition to these large spaces, the open field’s hills and canyons create a novel gameplay experience that’s different from what our players have experienced on previous maps.”
Regarding the plants in Rondo, Kim explains:
“Rondo has natural landscapes and vegetation that cannot be found on other maps. We tried to create beautiful scenery with tall mountains, waterfalls, peach blossoms, willows and bamboo forests by ponds.”
Finally, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to Taehyun Kim and the entire team at PUBG STUDIOS for this insightful interview. Their dedication and creativity in creating the Rondo map is impressive and represents a significant milestone in the evolution of PUBG. Rondo, with its varied landscapes, strategic elements and innovative features, promises an exciting and new experience for all players. The combination of urban modernity and traditional elements in such a dynamic and strategically challenging environment will undoubtedly redefine the way we play PUBG. We’re excited to see how the community takes on this new challenge and look forward to the many unforgettable moments Rondo will bring us.
Funko 44722 POP! Games: PUBG – The Lone Survivor
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PUBG: Battlegrounds – Official Lite
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