PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds is shaking things up for April Fool's Day in a big way by introducing a new (optional) style into the game: Fantasy Battle Royale.
The PUBG team has a more serious reason for releasing the goofy mode in short order, too. "In a time when people are keeping themselves safe and indoors, we believe that video games offer a diversion from solitude and a way to be social while still staying safely apart," the PUBG team wrote in its announcement post. "For these reasons, we’ve chosen to go forward with our planned event in hopes that it offers a little bit of lighthearted fun during this necessary isolation."
Starting right at midnight PDT on April 1 and running until 11:59 PDT on April 7, Fantasy Battle Royale allows players to do battle after choosing one of four of Dungeons & Dragons-style classes: a Wizard, Barbarian, Ranger, and Paladin. For those familiar with the classes, they work pretty much as could be expected; Barbarians have a high health and movement speed, and Rangers are long-ranged snipers with a special "Dragonslayer" crossbow. Wizards are fireball-slinging damage-dealers with the lowest HP of the bunch, and Paladins serve as the key healing class that still retains combat abilities.
Fantasy BR battles will be set on Erangel, otherwise known for the duration of this event as "the Dragon's Isle," bringing together 20 teams of four to do battle with no forced party composition. Players will also have access to a couple of PUBG vehicles planted around the site (the Noble Steed and the Dragon Wagon), and the mode will include a crafting system. Looting crafting materials will allow players to upgrade their class-specific weapons and gear.
Hopefully, a little extra levity will do PUBG players around the world some good for the next week.
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds is available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and most mobile devices.
Source: PUBG.com