Update, December 15: Replays are now live on the PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds 1.0 test server, and the developers have confirmed how they’ll end up handling map selection.
It’s only taken seven months, but PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds finally has a replay function. The feature’s currently live on the test server, and is expected to launch with the game’s 1.0 release on December 20.
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The replay function will record up to 1km around you, and it appears you’ll have full control over the camera with free look and the option to jump to any player in range. Up to 20 replays can be saved, with the oldest automatically being deleted once you exceed that number. As with killcams, you’ll have to enable the option in the menu before you’ll have access to it.
PUBG Corp have also announced that players will be able to select what map they want to play on some time after the 1.0 release. Originally, the plan was for maps to be randomly selected, the same as how weather conditions are automatically chosen at the start of a match. But based on community feedback, the developers will be splitting off map selection.
According to the Steam update, they’re still concerned about how the split will affect queue times and player counts, since a map split across solos, duos, and squads – which are in turn already split into third-person and first-person modes – would effectively mean 12 different game modes for players to line up for. It’s not as if PUBG is hurting for players, but it could prove a problem in regions with lower player counts.
“We need some time to address the anticipated problems and technical issues, so maps will not be selectable right after PC 1.0 release. However, we will do our best to add the feature and required systems as soon as we can, so you can enjoy Battle Royale in the map of your choice.”
Original story, May 30: Both 2D and 3D replays are coming to PUBG, so players can properly analyse their battles. You’ll be able to see how the match played out from a bird’s-eye view, watching the action unfold from a strategic perspective. It’ll be interesting to see how close you were to other players through the entire match without ever even knowing.
As for the 3D replays – they pretty much speak for themselves. You’ll be able to watch the action unfold again, with your boots on the ground, changing the perspective at will. These tools should let us scrutinise every firefight, giving us plenty of reason to shout at our pal who was looting when they should have been shooting.
Replays should be arriving in the game in the coming months, according to a GameInformer interview with PUBG’s creator, in which he also hinted at the 3D replay’s potential for creating Machinima-style shorts.
“We have 2D and 3D replays planned for the game,” says PlayerUnknown himself, Brendan Greene. “We have a team that just joined that are working on a 3D replay system at the moment, which is great because while they’re doing that, we don’t need to spend resources on it.
“It’s something I feel is really essential to the game – having this ability to watch your own round back in the game and have a spectator camera where you can just watch yourself, and watch any round, basically. I think this will help the game in the long-term where it’ll provide content creators and players with ways to create interesting videos.”
Elsewhere, modding is being added, so players can create their own game modes. There’s already a hint of this in custom games, as seen recently in PUBG’s zombies mode. Check out the full interview in the video above.