Krafton’s (259960.KQ) PUBG: Battlegrounds has overhauled its basic training for new users through an update. The game improved its basic training so players can progressively learn core elements needed in actual matches — from basic controls to combat, vehicle driving, and reviving teammates — and newly introduced a “Beginner Training Camp” for new users. Konami’s “Professional Baseball Spirits 2026,” the latest title in the long-running “Professional Baseball Spirits” series, officially launched on PlayStation 5 and Steam. Nexon’s mobile racing game “KartRider Rush+” carried out a collaboration update with the popular animation IP “Princess Catch! Teenieping.” The update introduces various collaboration items, including a kart for the signature character “Hachooping.”
◇PUBG: Battlegrounds Overhauls Basic Training for New Users = Krafton’s PUBG: Battlegrounds has overhauled its basic training for new users through the 42.2 update.
This update is designed to help users encountering Battlegrounds for the first time adapt to the game more easily. Players can progressively learn core elements needed in actual matches through 17 chapters, covering basic controls, landing and looting, combat, blue zone response, vehicle driving, and teammate reviving and revival. An NPC in a partner concept accompanies players throughout the entire play process, providing situational guidance through voice and radio messages, and the training is designed to help players develop practical skills in an environment similar to actual combat.
Along with the basic training overhaul, a “Beginner Training Camp” was also added. A new mission is provided daily for 14 days, and players can earn various rewards upon completing missions.
In arcade mode, the “Hot Drop” mode, which received much love from users, has also returned. It is a mode in which many players engage in quick combat within a limited area, allowing players to enjoy tense battles. “Solo Deathmatch,” which offers a different kind of fun from battle royale, is also added. Points are earned based on the number of kills and damage dealt, allowing players to experience faster-paced combat. Hot Drop runs until the 29th of this month, and Solo Deathmatch runs from the 29th of this month to the 12th of next month, both for a limited time.
Communication functions between teammates were also improved. Radio messages were reorganized into an icon-based radial menu format so that situational messages can be delivered more quickly, and item-specific markers and preview functions were applied to enhance the convenience of information sharing. Map, mission, and match log tabs were added to the world map to allow players to check necessary information on a single screen.
In addition, other updates were carried out, including: introducing graphic modes for all console models, reorganizing existing regions of Taego and Rondo, adding a new Contender “Glacia,” and launching a new Survivor Pass “Eternal Duo.”
◇Konami Officially Launches “Professional Baseball Spirits 2026” on PS5 and Steam = Konami Digital Entertainment released its baseball game “Professional Baseball Spirits 2026” on PlayStation 5 and Steam.
“Professional Baseball Spirits 2026” is the latest title in Konami’s long-running “Professional Baseball Spirits” series, reflecting the latest 2026 professional baseball player data, including newly drafted players, overseas signings, and returning players.
Based on the Unreal® Engine and the eBaseball™ Engine, this title realistically renders ball trajectories, player movements, and stadium atmosphere, providing a play experience reminiscent of an actual baseball game.
In particular, the game supports Korean for the first time in the series, and through localization of the UI and in-game text, it was designed to allow domestic users to enjoy the game more intuitively.
Along with this, the “2026 World Baseball Classic™” mode returns after 17 years, allowing players to meet top-tier players and national teams from around the world, including Korean national team players, in the game.
In this mode, top-tier players from around the world make a full appearance, including players familiar to Korean baseball fans as well as Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Ronald Acuña Jr., Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Lee Jung-hoo.
In addition, various game modes are available, including Versus, Pennant Race, Spirits, Championship, Professional Baseball News Play, Grand Prix, Home Run Derby, and Team Edit.
◇”Princess Catch! Teenieping” Collaboration Update for “KartRider Rush+” = Nexon carried out a collaboration update for its mobile racing game “KartRider Rush+” with SAMG Entertainment’s signature animation IP “Princess Catch! Teenieping.”
“Princess Catch! Teenieping” is an animation depicting the adventures and growth of the heart fairies “Teenieping,” who have various emotions and personalities, and “Romi,” the princess of the Emotion Kingdom, as they search for and catch the missing “Princess Teenieping.”
Through this collaboration update, Nexon introduces various items themed around “Catch! Teenieping,” including the signature character “Hachooping.” First, it presents a new legend speed kart “Hachooping,” a new character “Fancy Heart,” and a new flying pet “Dianaping.” On July 30, a new pet and a new legend item kart, “Eclipseping” and “Eclipseping Kart” respectively, will be added.
Along with this, various events commemorating this collaboration are also being held. Until the 19th of next month, when players complete missions such as daily login, multiplayer match victories, and ranked match victories, they will receive fragments that can be exchanged for collaboration items such as “Hachooping Skid (Permanent)” and “Hachooping Aura (Permanent).” During the same period, players who log in for a cumulative 3 days receive 5 “Teenieping Wish Stones,” and those who log in for a cumulative 5 days receive 5 “Teenieping Costume Paints.”
During the same period, players who participate in the “KartRider Rush+” YouTube channel subscription verification event can receive a “Hachooping Profile Picture” and a collaboration-exclusive wallpaper. Players who upload a photo wearing a collaboration item to the gallery with a hashtag (#TeeniepingCollab) can exchange it for an “Eclipse Profile Picture,” and depending on the number of likes, Google gift codes, Teenieping goods, and more will be awarded through a draw.
◇STOVE Launches Popular Side-Scrolling Action RPG “GrandChase Classic” = Smilegate’s global game platform STOVE officially launched the side-scrolling action RPG “GrandChase Classic” on the STOVE Store.
“GrandChase Classic” is a signature title from KOG that recorded 20 million cumulative global users, a core action RPG offering satisfying action controls, combos, and PvP. Beyond the fun of completing your own build through detailed skill tree design, it offers a wide range of content from PvE dungeons and raids to PvP 3:3 arenas, allowing users to experience various play styles that span from longtime fans to newly entering users.
STOVE prepared various in-game events to commemorate the launch. In-game, players can earn various rewards such as costume items and pets through a STOVE launch commemoration attendance event. A separate buff benefit is also provided for PC café users. The buff effects apply a 30% increase to each of experience and GP, and a 10% increase to equipment enhancement probability.
Store events were also prepared. By operating a “GrandChase Classic” store attendance exchange shop, players can receive STOVE’s reward-type currency Flake, store discount coupons, and GrandChase payment discount coupons. As a launch commemoration promotion, a 10% payment discount coupon is provided to the first 100 people, and two types of discount coupons for 1,000 won and 3,000 won are given to those who consent to game use. A 5,000 won discount coupon is separately provided to first-time payment users, and a 10,000 won discount coupon will be awarded to 20 people selected through a draw among users who write both a game recommendation and a review.
◇Com2uS Holdings’ New Title “Lone Chef” Participates in Comic World Summer 2026 = Com2uS Holdings’ new PC and console-based title “Lone Chef” will participate in “Comic World Summer 2026,” a leading domestic subculture event.
Comic World, held on the 18th and 19th of this month, is a leading domestic doujin event covering games, animation