Hello, players!

Last August, we launched the first Meta Rotation to break the long-standing dominance of certain weapons and weapon classes. Our goal was to give players more opportunities to experience different weapons and playstyles. We chose LMGs as the first featured weapon class because they had low usage rates as primary weapons, and applied bold balance adjustments to bring a meaningful change to the combat experience.

We originally planned to run each meta for approximately four months before moving on to the next. However, following the August update, LMGs became a stronger option than we intended, limiting players' choices of other weapons and playstyles. We also received substantial negative feedback about these changes. We therefore concluded that the first Meta Rotation did not deliver the intended experience and decided to reassess its approach and direction. We will end the current LMG Meta Rotation early with Update 44.1 in November, rather than continuing through December as originally planned.

As the Meta Rotation ends, this update will revert LMG reload times, recoil, ADS speed, damage multipliers against vehicles, recoil reduction effects based on firing position, and world spawn rates to their pre-August update values.

Below, we'll discuss how gameplay metrics changed during the LMG Meta Rotation, what we learned from this first attempt, and our plans going forward.

LMG Meta Rotation: Data Analysis

Before the Meta Rotation, LMGs other than the M249 saw low usage rates as primary weapons. The MG3, a care package weapon, also had relatively low usage and win rates.

Following the August update, LMG usage increased significantly, exceeding our target for the Meta Rotation, and then declined after the September balance adjustments. As of October, LMGs have the second-highest usage rate among short- and mid-range weapon classes, excluding SRs.

We also saw changes in metrics related to vehicle explosions, tire destruction, and the BRDM after the LMG meta update. We found that using vehicles had become more stressful for players. Following the September update, these metrics returned to their pre-August levels, indicating that vehicle gameplay was also returning to its previous patterns.

Looking Back on the First Meta Rotation

For the first Meta Rotation, we made substantial balance adjustments so that LMGs could deliver a new combat experience. While this significantly increased their usage, LMGs became overly powerful, discouraging players from choosing other weapons. Our goal was to expand opportunities to try different weapons, but instead, we created an environment where familiar weapons could be pushed aside.

This was particularly pronounced with LMGs. They could be used in much the same way as existing ARs, so performance differences had a significant impact on weapon choice. Other weapon classes have different playstyles due to their muzzle velocity or ammunition compatibility. LMGs, however, could readily replace existing primary weapons.

The impact extended beyond weapon choice. It also put pressure on vehicle gameplay, which plays an important role in both movement and combat across large maps. Although we increased the durability of some vehicles in August, our review of actual gameplay showed that further adjustments were needed.

In September, we adjusted LMG performance based on gameplay data and player feedback. Rather than simply reverting the buffs, we made adjustments after reviewing their actual impact on vehicle gameplay, as well as recoil in different firing stances, ADS transition speed, and other factors.

After the September balance update, LMG usage declined from its August levels. We also saw some improvement in overall weapon balance, with LMGs becoming less dominant compared with other weapons. Some of you may also have come to enjoy using the RPD or M249 as your new primary weapon during this Meta Rotation. That said, we plan to bring the first rotation to a close so we can prepare more carefully for the next meta.

What's Next

While we originally planned to run Meta Rotations in cycles of approximately four months, we also said that the duration could be adjusted based on actual gameplay and player feedback. Looking back on the first rotation, we concluded that it did not deliver the gunplay experience we intended for players. With Update 44.1, we will therefore bring the first LMG Meta Rotation to a close. The balance of the M249 and MG3 will return to their state prior to the August update, while the RPD will be adjusted to align with the balance of the existing LMGs. Please refer to the Patch Notes for details.

This does not mean we are abandoning the concept of Meta Rotations. However, our first attempt showed us that we need to reassess how significant each rotation should be and how often the meta should change. We will review the planned duration and format, refine our approach to provide new gunplay experiences more consistently, and return with a new Meta Rotation in 2027. We will continue to listen to player feedback as we prepare.

Thank you to everyone who experienced the first Meta Rotation and shared your feedback. We look forward to your continued interest in PUBG’s gunplay.

Thank you.

PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS Team