PUBG update 42.1 brings smoke physics and Blue Zone revamp

PUBG: Battlegrounds will release Update 42.1 on PC on June 17. The patch adds interactive smoke physics, a major Blue Zone rework across all modes, and an experimental 64-player mode on the Rondo map in Arcade LABS beginning July 1.

The development team outlines the update as an effort to speed up engagements and make late-game pacing more consistent. The new LABS mode limits lobbies to 64 players on Rondo and applies modified rules intended to create tighter fights.

Interactive smoke physics changes how cover from grenades behaves. Smoke will react to outside forces and can be pushed or dispersed by grenade blasts, moving vehicles, airdrop crates, and other objects. This removes static smoke cover and introduces shifting lines of sight during fights.

The Blue Zone system has been rebuilt. Distance-based damage scaling has been removed. Damage is now based only on time spent inside the Blue Zone, increasing the longer a player remains outside the safe area. The dynamic Blue Zone once used in normal matches on Sanhok and Karakin has been turned off. The rework applies to normal, ranked, custom, and esports play.

On 8×8 maps in normal matches, timing changes begin in Phase 2. Warning times are shorter while shrinking durations are longer. Total match time remains 28 minutes and 50 seconds. Early safe zones are smaller to bring players together sooner, and from Phase 4 onward the zones are larger. Final circles now follow ranked-mode logic and form closer to the map center. Red Zones, Snow Zones, and EMP Zones will appear slightly earlier.

Ranked and esports matches have a shorter total duration, reduced from 32 minutes and 50 seconds to 30 minutes and 10 seconds through changes to early and late phases. Safe zone sizes are smaller. The land-priority circle algorithm is disabled. Special zones appear and clear out earlier, and sandstorms last for less time while moving a bit faster.

Weapon and item tuning is included. The SLR rifle receives performance improvements. Several Blue Zone parameters are updated to fit the new system. The weight and use time of some healing items are adjusted, affecting inventory and recovery choices.

The update launches alongside a new ranked season. A racing mode is being added for custom content. The Haven map enters the Extreme Battle Royale rotation to expand that playlist.

Arcade LABS adds the Rondo 64-player mode on July 1. The mode applies revised rules on the Rondo map and lowers player count to concentrate encounters and shorten match flow.

Earlier, we reported that G2 Esports and PUBG Mobile launched an amateur-to-pro pathway in Western Europe.