Krafton bets on Ded.Net to give PUBG’s next battle royale a roguelite twist

Krafton is developing Ded.Net as a new game in the PUBG universe, but PUBG Madison wants to move away from the original’s military-simulation style. The project combines the battle royale formula with a grotesque gameshow and roguelite mechanics.

Each match takes place inside a shrinking zone. After a round, selected abilities can help or hinder the next game: a character might gain a melee-focused advantage while also being unable to reload reliably or swim as well.

Abilities carry into later matches

Creative director Dave Curd said the system is intended to reduce the frustration of losing. Even after a defeat, players may have a reason to queue again if an appealing ability combination becomes available between matches.

The team does not want the game to revolve around calculating small numerical bonuses. Curd described the abilities as strategic opportunities rather than stacks of statistics to optimise.

Grotesque powers and vehicle traps

Examples include replacing a character’s arms with giant blades, preventing gun use for the rest of the match, and transforming into a porcelain doll that can cling to allies or enemies and steal items during an attack.

Players can hack objects, including a truck that can be set to explode after a delay. Vehicles also have seatbelts: without one, a passenger can be thrown through the window in a high-speed crash.

PUBG Madison takes a different route

Curd said Ded.Net aims to preserve PUBG’s central appeal: tense survival situations created by competing players. The team also wants those moments to be stranger and more memorable.

The interview took place during Gamescom in Cologne. Krafton provided the journalist’s flights and accommodation.