Lightspeed Studio, a Tencent subsidiary, is introducing Unfail as the centerpiece of PUBG MOBILE’s 4.0 update. The mode will be released on Korean servers on September 26 under the title “Hide and Seek Mode.”

First shown at Gamescom, Unfail makes a strong impression by going beyond a simple game of tag. It blends PUBG MOBILE’s signature gunplay with strategic depth, creating a refined mode where four survivors must outwit a powerful Chaser by activating terminals across the map and making their escape.

Playing as a survivor, cooperation and communication proved to be the keys to survival. Facing the Chaser, who has superior speed and multiple abilities, was never a viable option. Instead, players felt constant pressure as they hacked terminals, rescued teammates, and pushed toward the exit, all while under relentless pursuit.

Taking on the role of the Chaser brought a very different kind of excitement. Overwhelming power made it satisfying to corner survivors, but victory never came easily. Outsmarting coordinated opponents required anticipation and the smart use of powerful skills, capturing the developers’ vision of a “victory that must be earned.”

With such a striking first impression, we had the chance to speak with Lightspeed Studio for deeper insight into the creation of Unfail.

What was the primary motivation behind introducing 'Unfail' as the flagship feature of the PUBG Mobile 4.0 update?

The driving force behind UNFAIL was our desire to push PUBG MOBILE beyond the traditional battle royale experience and surprise players with a brand new offering. Over the years, our community has shown us they love variety, whether it’s large-scale competitive play, creative gameplay in World of Wonder, or our themed modes and partnerships. With UNFAIL, we aim to blend the classic asymmetric PvP gameplay of cat-and-mouse with the iconic gunplay mechanics of PUBG MOBILE to create something new and unique whilst being a natural extension of what our players love.

'Unfail' is built on an asymmetrical 1v4 design. How do you approach balancing the win rates between the single Predator and the team of four Survivors? Are you targeting a near 50/50 split?

Balancing asymmetrical gameplay is always one of the most exciting challenges in development. Our aim isn’t strictly to lock win rates at a 50/50 split, but rather to create a competitive environment where both sides feel they have the chance to win. For the Predator, this means having a powerful toolkit that feels intimidating and rewarding to master, while for Survivors, success relies on teamwork, communication, and clever use of the environment.

We went through multiple rounds of testing, both internally and with players, to tune Predator abilities, Survivor tasks, and map design. Instead of focusing solely on win percentages, we measure success by whether matches feel tense, fair, and fun for both roles, where a victory feels earned, not inevitable.

That said, we’re committed to continuously monitoring data and feedback post-launch. If we see shifts in balance, for example if Predators dominate too often or Survivors escape too easily, we’ll make adjustments. Over time, as we add new maps, Predators, and Survivor abilities, we’ll also introduce balancing tweaks to keep the experience dynamic and fair.

The 1v4 asymmetrical format exists in other popular games. What makes PUBG Mobile's 'Unfail' mode unique and sets it apart from its predecessors?

While asymmetrical 1v4 gameplay isn’t a new concept in itself, UNFAIL brings PUBG MOBILE’s signature blend of strategic depth, fast-paced action, and immersive environments to the format in a way that feels fresh using iconic PUBG MOBILE weapons and items. What sets UNFAIL apart is the integration of our rich map design, interactive terminals, and the dynamic Predator-Survivor abilities system. Survivors aren’t just running and hiding, they must cooperate to complete objectives under intense pressure, while the Predator has multiple ways to approach and adapt to each match as they evolve, making every encounter unique.

Additionally, the mobile-first design allows for on-the-go tension and accessibility without compromising complexity. We’ve also built UNFAIL with scalability in mind and plan to continue supporting the mode in future with new updates to continue innovating. It’s this combination of mobile accessibility, deep strategy, and innovative content that truly sets UNFAIL apart from other asymmetrical modes in the genre.

This mode seems highly accessible. How do you envision 'Unfail' appealing to both new players who may be new to PUBG Mobile, and also to your existing veteran community?

Accessibility was a core focus when designing UNFAIL. For new players, the mode offers a clear, goal-oriented experience; Survivors must cooperate to activate terminals and escape, while the Predator provides a high-stakes challenge without requiring prior PUBG MOBILE experience. The rules are intuitive, matches are engaging, and the tension is immediate, which makes it easy for newcomers to jump in and feel part of the action.

At the same time, veteran players will find layers of strategy and depth that reward mastery. Predators have abilities to learn and master, and Survivors must coordinate efficiently, make split-second decisions, and exploit their granted skill alongside their own map knowledge to succeed. Over time, we also plan to introduce new content to UNFAIL, providing players with fresh challenges and opportunities to continually refine their skills.

Ultimately, UNFAIL functions as a bridge, welcoming newcomers with approachable gameplay while providing a rich, evolving experience for our dedicated community, ensuring everyone has a reason to come back match after match.

Do you expect a synergistic relationship between 'Unfail' and the classic Battle Royale mode? For instance, retaining players by offering a fresh alternative for BR veterans or introducing new players to the broader PUBG Mobile ecosystem.

Absolutely. UNFAIL isn’t meant to replace the classic Battle Royale mode that PUBG MOBILE players know and love, it’s designed to complement it. For veteran players, UNFAIL offers a fresh, fast, high-intensity alternative that keeps gameplay exciting without straying too far from the core mechanics they love, whilst the asymmetrical format challenges them to think differently about strategy, teamwork, and map navigation, which can invigorate their overall PUBG MOBILE experience.

For new players, UNFAIL serves as an accessible entry point into the broader ecosystem. The shorter, goal-oriented matches and clear objectives make it easier to learn the fundamentals of PUBG MOBILE - combat, positioning, and cooperative play - before transitioning into the more complex Battle Royale mode. Over time, we hope that these additions will further strengthen player retention, deepen engagement, and encourage experimentation across all modes, creating a richer, more diverse community experience.

Is 'Unfail' planned as a permanent addition to the game, or is it a Limited-Time Mode (LTM) for the 4.0 update?

UNFAIL is designed as a permanent addition to PUBG MOBILE, not just a limited-time mode. Our vision is for it to grow and evolve alongside the game, offering players a lasting alternative to traditional Battle Royale matches. We plan to continue expanding UNFAIL as we do with our other game modes, ensuring that both new and veteran players have a dynamic, evolving experience to enjoy whenever they log in.

Finally, what message do you have for the players who are about to experience 'Unfail' for the first time?

We’re thrilled for players to jump into UNFAIL and experience this exciting new side of PUBG MOBILE. For Survivors, success relies heavily on teamwork, so coordinate with your squad, use your abilities strategically, and time your actions carefully to outsmart the Predator. For Predators, mastering your skills and adapting to the Survivors’ strategies is key, making each match a thrilling test of wits and reflexes.

Our hope is that players embrace both the tension and the strategy: communicate, cooperate, and make the most of your abilities to turn the tide of the match. We encourage everyone to experiment, communicate, and embrace the unexpected - because in UNFAIL, anything can happen.

What are the future development plans for 'Unfail' post-launch? Can players expect new maps, Predators, or abilities in future updates?

Like with all of PUBG MOBILE’s core modes, we are constantly looking at ways we can evolve gameplay and we plan to continue supporting UNFAIL in a similar way. Whilst our focus now is firmly on UNFAIL’s launch, we are looking forward to our player’s reactions and feedback and already have ideas of how we could develop and expand this mode in future to keep players engaged and entertained.

How will you be gathering and implementing player feedback to fine-tune the mode's balance and gameplay after its release?

Our approach is iterative. Balance isn’t a one-time adjustment but an ongoing process, and we’re committed to responding quickly so the mode continuously delivers the thrilling, strategic gameplay that players know and expect from PUBG MOBILE.

After launch, we’ll be monitoring our in-game data to identify trends and areas that may need adjustment. Beyond analytics, we actively listen to our community through social channels, forums, surveys, and live events to understand their experiences and suggestions. This feedback loop allows us to make informed updates, whether it’s tweaking Predator abilities, Survivor skills, or map mechanics, to ensure matches remain fair, challenging, and fun.

Could you walk us through the core emotions or experiences you want players to feel when playing as a Survivor versus playing as the Predator?

The goal is for both roles to deliver high-stakes, emotionally engaging gameplay.
For Survivors, we’ve designed the core experience to be one of tension, teamwork, and resourceful strategy. It takes a whole team’s cunning to activate enough terminals to open the exit gate and ensure enough Survivors escape to claim the victory.

For the Predator, the experience is about the thrill of the hunt and careful usage of powerful skills to overpower the Survivors.This new experience is for the players, and ultimately we expect they will develop strategies far beyond our expectations. We are looking forward to seeing how they explore and evolve this new gameplay at launch and beyond!