Project ARC, a new spinoff from Krafton and PUBG Studios, takes the PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds universe and flips it into a 5v5 top-down tactical shooter. Departing from the familiar battle royale format, Project ARC emphasizes realistic gunplay and strategic teamwork.
This multiplayer-only title aims to redefine top-down shooters by incorporating core PUBG mechanics. Elements like target height, specific hit zones, destructible environments, and realistic recoil will play a crucial role in combat, adding a layer of tactical depth rarely seen in the genre. Players will select unique characters, each wielding a signature PUBG weapon and a specialized gadget, such as Med Kits or Grenade Launchers. Currently, Project ARC will feature Team Deathmatch and Demolition modes. Demolition mirrors the core gameplay of popular tactical shooters like Valorant and Counter-Strike, tasking teams with planting or defusing a Decrypter device instead of a bomb.
Gameplay from Project ARC.
Unlike The Callisto Protocol, which initially began as a PUBG spinoff but evolved into its own separate entity, Project ARC remains firmly rooted within the established PUBG universe. This connection will be evident through familiar weapons, gadgets, and elements like the Blue Zone Grenade and Folded Shield. PUBG Studios has confirmed their commitment to expanding the PUBG intellectual property with various new projects, highlighting Project ARC as a key example of their innovative approach. Developed by a small team of fewer than 15 individuals, Project ARC represents a focused effort towards “swift and bold experimentation.”
Project ARC is slated for an early access PC release in 2025. While a console release is being considered pending the implementation of controller support, there are currently no plans for a mobile version. The developers are still determining whether Project ARC will adopt a free-to-play model or be released as a premium title.
