PUBG Developers Promise More Fine-Tuned Map Rotation

The developers of PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS have published a new blog post outlining upcoming changes to the map rotation system in matchmaking. These adjustments are set to go live with the release of Patch 36.1 and aim to deliver a more fine-tuned and balanced map service for players.

Hello players!

As you may have guessed from the title, today’s Dev Letter is all about map service.

So, what’s map service? Simply put, it’s how we manage the availability and rotation of all nine maps across different regions.

Over the years, PUBG’s map service has gone through quite a few changes. Today, we’d like to take a closer look at where things are now and where we’re headed next.

PUBG’s Map Service

Map Select Regions / Random Map Regions

First off, PUBG is played across many different regions around the world. For map service, we divide them into two groups based on matchmaking health.

Map Select Regions are where matchmaking is stable, allowing players to choose which map they want to play.

In Random Map Regions, only a random map rotation is available due to unstable matchmaking conditions.

Map Service Based on Regional Map Preferences

In December 2023, we began running separate map rotations for Map Select and Random Map regions, based on the differences between those two groups. However, we soon discovered that map preferences varied significantly across regions.

In response, we introduced a new map service plan based on regional map preferences in February 2024. By closely analyzing in-game data, community survey results, and overall trends, we identified which maps were preferred in each region. Based on these insights, we categorized the nine maps into three groups: Fixed, Favored, and Etc. Maps.

Among the nine maps, the five with the highest preference were included in the Fixed or Favored Map pools, while the remaining four were placed in the Etc. Map pool.

Fixed Maps showed overwhelmingly high preference and were made available at all times, with no rotation.

Favored Maps also showed strong preference and were rotated on a short cycle, allowing players to play them more frequently.

Etc. Maps showed lower preference and were rotated in on a longer cycle, appearing occasionally.

Map Service Slots

Map service has been operating with a total of five slots, meaning five out of the nine maps are made available each week in Normal Match. These five slots were distributed based on regional map preferences: four were assigned to maps from the Fixed & Favored Map pools, and the remaining one to the Etc. Map pool.

This structure was designed to let players see their favorite maps more often, while still maintaining a certain level of map variety. It also aimed to strike a balance between matchmaking health and gameplay experience.

Looking Back on Map Service

Map Select Regions / Random Map Regions

As PUBG has been operating with two region groups – Map Select Regions and Random Map Regions – we've received a wide range of feedback from players in both groups. Overall, many players have expressed that the current system feels limited and that they'd like to see more variety in how maps are offered.

In Map Select Regions, players hoped to see more than five available map slots. In Random Map Regions, there were continued requests for map selection.

What We Learned from the Preference-Based Map Service

Since launching the preference-based map service in February 2024, we’ve observed two key trends. First, many players showed a tendency to engage more with maps they preferred. Second, the more frequently those maps appeared, the more likely players were to return and play again.

These results reinforced our belief that continuing with the preference-based map service is the right direction. That said, there were still areas that needed improvement.

For one, dividing all regions into just two groups and applying the same map rotation within each group made it difficult to reflect the specific preferences of individual regions.

In addition, while map preferences have shifted over time with various updates, the Fixed, Favored, and Etc. Map pools remained unchanged. As a result, the map service wasn’t able to reflect those evolving preferences in a timely manner. (The graphs below show how map preferences have changed month to month.)

Finally, there was no dedicated channel for clearly explaining map rotation changes in each update, so we haven’t been able to communicate transparently about it. While we’ve shared rotation details in our Patch Notes, we understand that many of you have wanted more insight into why certain maps were placed in each map pool or how their appearance rates were adjusted in a given update.

What’s Next for Map Service

Starting with Update 36.1, we’ll be rolling out a more fine-tuned map service.

Map Select Regions, Random Map Regions, and Map Service Slots

First, you may be wondering whether this update will affect map selection options or the number of map slots available in each region.

To answer that up front, these elements will remain unchanged for now. While we understand that many players are hoping for changes, these aspects have a direct impact on matchmaking health, so any expansion or adjustment requires careful consideration.

We'll continue to monitor matchmaking health regularly and keep evaluating the possibility of expanding these options in the future.

Map Rotations Based on Regional Preferences

※ The changes below apply to both Map Select Regions and Random Map Regions.

Each region will now have its own map rotation.

Our goal is to offer a more tailored map experience based on regional map preferences.

For example, the AS and SEA regions previously shared the same rotation. Going forward, each will have a separate rotation.

On Console, a single unified map rotation will continue to apply across all regions.

The Fixed, Favored, and Etc. Map pools will be updated each patch based on regional map preferences.

Map preference data is analyzed over an 8-week window.

This allows us to capture a full rotation of all 9 maps while minimizing the short-term impact of featured maps.

The top five most preferred maps will be included in the Fixed and Favored Map pools. Among them, maps with a preference rate of 15% or higher will be designated as Fixed Maps, up to a maximum of two. The remaining maps in the top five will be included in the Favored Map pool.

During updates with a featured map, up to three Fixed Maps may be temporarily active.

For map service slots, four will be allocated to the Fixed and Favored Map pools, with the remaining one assigned to the Etc. Map pool, just like before.

Improving Map Service Communication

We're also changing how we communicate map service changes. To help players better understand the reasoning behind each rotation, we'll be sharing regional map preference data along with rotation details for each region in a monthly Map Service Report, published separately from the Patch Notes.

How Is Map Preference Measured?

At this point, you might be wondering how map preference is actually measured. After years of running the map service in various ways, we’ve learned that there’s no single metric that can fully represent what players prefer.

That’s why we now consider a range of data points across all modes, including how long players stay on each map, how often they visit, and how frequently they leave. By analyzing all of this together, we hope to build a more comprehensive picture of map preferences for each region.

Wrapping Up

We're aiming to provide a more consistent and balanced map service by applying a unified set of standards across all regions. The new map service plan will reflect shifting player preferences with each update, so that the maps you enjoy most have a better chance of showing up in rotation.

This update marks our first step toward more transparent communication around the map service. We'll continue to actively listen to your feedback and carefully consider any changes needed to improve the experience moving forward.

Let us know what you think of our new map service plan!

We'll see you in the next Dev Letter.

PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS Team