This month PlayerUnknown Battleground released a new patch, update #7, that is supposed to improve communication between players. The patch will allow voice chat while on the main menu, and during gameplay the characters will be able to physically express themselves through an emote system.

The emotes are various words, ideas, greetings, and emotional responses that can be chosen off a wheel. They’re then represented through physical expression of the player. Picking “Hello” will cause the character to wave, “Affirmation” is a little head-nod, and of course shaking the head is used for “Negative.” “Thank you” is represented by blowing a kiss and there is also “Laugh” and “Clap” options, which are pretty self explanatory.

PC 1.0 Update #7 has been released on live game servers. Log in and check out the new features:
– Emotes
– PUBG Friends List
– 37 Steam Achievements
– Bug fixes, updates, and more

Patch notes: https://t.co/GQF9JjlFyG pic.twitter.com/QOjznuvkQj

— PLAY BATTLEGROUNDS (@PUBATTLEGROUNDS) March 13, 2018

Currently there are only twelve responses to choose from, but the developers have promised that more are on the way. The emote system is kind of like the one from Fortnite, only with fewer options and a noticeable dearth in dance moves. Of course, Fortnite is far from the first game to use emotes. Emote systems like these have been around for a long time, even the first Fable had emotes and that was nearly 14 years ago. Still the similarities between PUBG and Fortnite are easy to see.

The update is not just emotes, though. The patch adds 37 new achievements and in-game materials to collect. It also promises to fix various bugs as well as improve on things like network connections, sound and the friend list. The friend list has expanded to allow up to 50 friends and friends can be added regardless of platform. However, gamers can no longer invite players through the career screen.

For the past week or so, PUBG has had a habit of crashing on players thanks to the previous update. It was supposed to put a stop to cheating, but caused more harm than good and was rolled back as a result. There doesn’t seem to be any problems with the game crashing from the new update as of yet.

Unfortunately, the new update doesn’t appear to do anything to replace the last update’s anti-cheating patch (the one that was rolled back), nor does it put a region lock on China. It also looks like the “Region Lock China” thread is still alive and well in the Steam comment section.