PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) is getting a new desert map – Karakin – with Season 6. This map offers 2 new features that are not present on any other map. Another map will be temporarily removed.
What is the new map all about? The new map will soon be introduced in PUBG. PUBG Corp. has teased this several times and there has now been a first brief look at a part of the desert map Karakin.
The new area will come to the game with Season 6 (currently on the test server). This will officially start on January 22 on PC and on January 30 on consoles PS4 and Xbox One.
What we know about the new map Karakin
This is what the new map looks like: Recently, there was a leak that showed the entire new Karakin map. This was confirmed in the patch notes for Update 6.1, which is currently on the test server.
This is the new map:
Karakin is a 2×2 km island off the coast of North Africa – and thus smaller than the other maps.
It is characterized by barren and rocky terrain as well as large open spaces, but also spots for challenging skirmishes. Small, fast, and dangerous – this is how the developers describe the new map. It is supposed to combine the tension of Miramar with the pace of Sanhok.
Only on the new map: Dynamic destruction with the Black Zone and Sticky Bomb
New features on Karakin: The so-called black zone will only be present on Karakin. This feature turns buildings into ruins. It is intended to limit the comfortable protection of buildings and bring new tension to matches.
This zone appears randomly. It is marked by a purple circle on the minimap and announced by a siren (as heard in the teaser).
Cities and buildings within can be completely intact, completely destroyed, or anything in between. This apparently changes every time. The mixture of buildings and ruins happens in real-time.
This means: A building that you just see in front of you may be gone by a later time – including the one you might currently be in. When you hear the siren and are in the marked area, you should run immediately.
There will also be breakable points in certain walls and floors of buildings that can be blown up with the new sticky bomb. This is intended to add more tactical depth and make it easier to deal with campers.
Snow map Vikendi is being removed, is being revised
New map comes, other map is removed: Previously there were speculations that the new map could replace Vikendi, a snow map. And now it is clear that this is indeed the case.
A player asked PUBG Community Manager Hawkinz yesterday (January 14) on Twitter if Vikendi is really being removed. For many, it is the favorite map, it wouldn’t make any sense.
Hawkinz replied: “It is also my favorite map! Unfortunately, it is not for most players. You will find out more about what to expect (or not expect) in Season 6 as soon as we release the patch notes the next day or so.
Is that how it’s going to stay? The replacement of Vikendi by Karakin has been confirmed in the patch notes. These are now live. However, it states: “Vikendi has been temporarily removed from public play and is being replaced by Karakin.”
Furthermore, it is stated that Vikendi will continue to be revised during the forced vacation more than it already has been. The map will return – with many new things to discover and enjoy. By the way: Erangel has also been revised.
So it’s not a permanent state; Vikendi is not completely removed. The Community Manager Hawkinz has also emphasized this again: “Vikendi will rotate out when Season 6 begins, but not permanently. You can still play Vikendi in custom matches.”
What do you think at first glance about the new map and the new features? Are you excited about the new desert map or do you already miss Vikendi?
