'I'm pretty confident this isn't going to be in this year's Battlefield update' PUBG: Dednet director Dave Curd explains how the '90s-inspired multiplayer shooter stands out with its zany abilities and unique style

Date:
Mon, 14 Sep 2026 13:16:46 +0000

Description:
I spoke to PUBG: Dednet director Dave Curd at Gamescom, who explained how the team is leaning into to the weird and wonderful with character abilities to make its vibrant and violent '90s-inspired shooter stand out.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Krafton announced PUBG: Dednet atGamescom this year The '90s-inspired shooter features some bonkers
abilities "We're kind of finding our own way here," explains game director Dave Curd Players slithering along the ground like snakes, swords for hands,
a tiny doll wielding a power drill driving in a toy car some of these wild sights seen in the debut trailer for PUBG: Dednet seem completely at odds
with the realistic and reserved approach the defining battle royale series is known for. When I bring this up to the game's creative director, Dave Curd,
he tells me that is entirely the point.

"If you want to excite and delight people, you have to give them something fresh," he says me in an interview at Gamescom. "If you want a cool, stoic, mil-sim, take your pick; they're everywhere. But what everyone else can't do, and maybe they don't want to, is my take on this world, this lore, these characters, these abilities." Curd explains that the tone of PUBG: Dednet is like "my version of the 90s filtered through a meatgrinder," and you can certainly see that from the debut trailer. It's zany, over-the-top, and drenched in color, with gunfights taking place in arcades, car chases through rural towns lit up by neon signs, and a grungy, punk vibe throughout. Safe to say, it stands out. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

"The audience will forgive almost anything but being bored," suggests Curd. "So, I think this trailer will get a lot of love and hate.

"As long as they're feeling something passionately, I think we've done a good job," he continues. "But if people look past that and their eyes glaze over, then that would be worrying." You may like Afterworld director explains the fantasy post-apocalyptic setting, and the pub trip that inspired the game
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and couldnt get enough of its breakneck pacing PUBG DED.NET Announcement Trailer | gamescom - YouTube Watch On While Dednet is still effectively a battle royale, pitting multiple teams of three against each other in a
contest to be the last ones standing, it continues to mix things up not just in the tone and character abilities, but also in how your game progresses
over time with several roguelite elements.

It starts with the concept of runs, where you might nominate how many wins or placements you can achieve before you hit a certain number of losses. Win or lose, at the end of a match, you're presented with choices that can alter or upgrade your chosen character's abilities and play style. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Perhaps you'll lean into more of a support role to assist your teammates with heals or protection with a riot shield made out of a car door? Or maybe
you'll take that aforementioned doll, who can ride on your back into battle
or stealthily sit on your opponent's shoulder and be a nuisance. (Image credit: Krafton) "I'm pretty confident this isn't going to be in this year's Battlefield update," jokes Curd, when explaining how they came up with abilities like this for the multiplayer shooter. "I think our internal test is: does it make us laugh? Does it sound like an interesting challenge? And
do we think about it the next day? We're kind of finding our own way here."

That neatly summarises how Dave Curd and the team are experimenting for PUBG: Dednet to create something unique and interesting in the space. It definitely caught my eye during this year's Gamescom, and if it got your attention too, you can pre-register for the closed beta now . Follow TechRadar on Google
News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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