PUBG Mobile update brings a new desert map and more

It might not be the 1.0 update that round-number enthusiasts ache for, but PUBG Mobile’s 0.5.0 update introduces its fair shares of features and improvements.

The first new feature is Miramar, a new desert map that includes new vehicles and weapons. It seems that the new map does not support PUBG Mobile’s Arcade mode, though that could change in a future update.

Next up are progress and activity missions, which offer rewards as you level up and based on your activity, respectively. New missions open up as you progress through levels and continually play PUBG Mobile, though activity missions show up on a weekly basis.

Progress missions dole out certain amounts of in-game BP, though you can also do things like join a crew or give BP to a friend to net additional BP.

The update also includes a local quick team feature. If you have people physically near you that also play PUBG Mobile, you can enter a six-digit code to team up with them. This is more of a quality-of-life inclusion that does not require you to search for folks by their usernames.

Along with the local quick team feature are synergy and connections. We are not entirely sure how the system works, though it sounds like you will need to interact with your friends in-game to build synergy. You can then build connections once your synergy is high enough.

Finally, the update includes language-specific chat channels, the means to collect rewards for every new tier you reach in Season 2, a shop that lets you preview and buy outfits and items, and a Secret Stash that lets you buy special discounted items.

Keep in mind that the update does not include the ability to choose your region and flag. Tencent said that is a feature it looks to add “later on,” but did not provide a timetable. Also, the update does not include a first-person perspective, though it might arrive in a future update.

The PUBG Mobile update is available on the Play Store and weighs in at over 700MB.