PUBG 44.1 Update Adds IVE Collab and Hardcore PvE Modes
KRAFTON has rolled out the 44.1 update for PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, and its headline addition is a collaboration with Korean girl group IVE. The crossover builds on the concepts of the group’s signature track “LOVE DIVE”, weaving them into in-game spaces and cosmetic items. The collaboration content went live on PC on November 4. Alongside the musical tie-in, the update also brings two limited-time, high-difficulty PvE modes back to the game and reworks the PUBG Fantasy League ahead of the PUBG Global Championship. Further details are available on the game’s official channels.
Three themed “IVE Zones” have been added to the Rondo map, each featuring an IVE mansion complete with a turntable that plays the group’s music. Players can also obtain characters modeled on the faces of all six IVE members, along with outfits, accessories, weapon skins and gear skins inspired by the song. At certain spawn points across Rondo, Erangel, Miramar, Taego, Deston and Vikendi, IVE emote stages now appear; performing the emote triggers the collaboration music video. Spawn points also apply participation elements such as the Cupid Crossbow, and new emotes built on IVE songs and choreography have been added.
The co-op PvE mode introduced in October returns as “HLB: Rondo Dawnbreaker,” set in the original mode’s final area, Jadena City. Stronger frenzied enemies now appear at shorter intervals than before. The update also increases the number of fuel canisters required to start the generator while lowering the health of the capacitor that players must protect, making the defense phase considerably tougher. The mode runs for a limited time on PC from November 4 to November 25.
The roguelike PvE mode returns as “Star Brawl: Battle of Hell,” dropping the previous three difficulty tiers for a single Hell difficulty and adding a fourth stage area that is harder than the former highest tier. Difficulty scales with the number of participants, up to four players can play together, and clear times after the final boss will be recorded on the leaderboards. It runs on PC from November 18 to December 2. Ahead of the PUBG Global Championship, the PUBG Fantasy League extends lineup selection time, displays overall fantasy points and team rankings after matches, and adds friend rankings and past lineup records. Vehicle durability, spectator information and voice chat quality were also improved. The IVE crossover is a flashy hook, but the returning PvE modes may be the bigger draw for veteran players.
