‘PUBG’ expanding free version from mobile to PC

Foundational battle royale game “PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds” (PUBG) has gone from computers to mobile phones and to consoles — and now it is going back to computers.

The mobile version, “PUBG Mobile”, launched as a free-to-play title with in-application payment options and October’s “PUBG Lite” incarnation is to do the same.

While the original “PUBG” is notoriously system-intensive, its new edition is intended to run on computers with lower specifications and thus provide a smoother experience.

The upshot is that “PUBG Lite” has recommended system requirements that are lower than the minimum specifications advised for “PUBG”.

Lower-powered Windows computers up to five or six years old should be able to meet minimum specifications — a 2.4 gigahertz Core i3 central processing unit that has Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics.

As it happens, minimum requirements for “PUBG Lite” are the same as those for the franchise’s great rival, “Fortnite”, which has been free from the start, boasting cross-platform play between computer, console and mobile platforms.

By contrast, “PUBG Lite” is presented as a standalone adaptation of its predecessor, though that should not pose too much of a problem given the game’s global reach.

PUBG Corporation is encouraging early sign-ups with two in-game weapon skins given to those that pre-register by Oct. 8, with mystery in-game items offered should registrations surpass 50,000; 150,000 and 300,000 milestones.

In addition to the classic 100-player battle royale, “PUBG Lite” will also feature a new four-versus-four mode, located inside a deserted warehouse surrounded by old shipping containers and vehicles.

As for monetization, “PUBG Lite” will be rolling out three kinds of season passes.

The free tier includes completable missions with in-game items as rewards; Premium and Premium Plus tiers bestow more missions and more rewards.

In addition, a new in-game currency called L-Coin can be used to purchase various mystery crates and other items.

Debuting in January 2019, “PUBG Lite” started in Thailand and has since expanded into South East Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

Language support encompasses English, Turkish, Brazilian, European Portuguese, Latin American, European Spanish, Russian, German, French and Polish. RGA/JB

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