PUBG x IVE Update 44.1: Downtime in India, Rondo Areas, LMG Nerf

By GameDrop Staff · Nov 04, 2026 · Updates · 3 min read

PUBG: Battlegrounds Krafton key art — Image: Krafton

PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS Update 44.1 goes live on PC on November 4, 2026, and its headline is a collaboration with K-pop group IVE built around the song "LOVE DIVE". Krafton has also rebalanced light machine guns, buffed vehicles and added new difficulty tiers to a co-op mode. Here is what changes and when you can play.

PC release: November 4 after maintenance; console: November 12.
India downtime: 5:30 AM to 2:00 PM IST on November 4 (00:00-08:30 UTC).
Collab content: three LOVE DIVE areas on Rondo, all six IVE members, outfits, emotes and a mashup track.
Balance: LMG rotation ended early, vehicle health up 8-15%.

What is the PUBG maintenance time in India for Update 44.1?

PC servers go offline from 00:00 to 08:30 UTC on November 4. That is 5:30 AM to 2:00 PM in India and 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM in Seoul, according to TalkEsport's reading of the patch notes. In North America the window starts at 7:00 PM Eastern on November 3. Console maintenance is separate and runs from 01:00 to 09:00 UTC on November 12, so PlayStation and Xbox players get the content eight days later than PC.

What is in the PUBG x IVE collaboration?

According to Krafton's press release, the collab adds three new areas to the Rondo map that draw on scenes and visuals from the "LOVE DIVE" music video. A teaser on October 27 showed one of them, but PUBG has not yet published a guide to where each area sits. In-game likenesses of all six members (An Yujin, Gaeul, Rei, Jang Wonyoung, Liz and Leeseo) arrive, along with themed outfits, accessories, gear and weapon designs.

Emotes tied to IVE songs, including the group's newest October release, are part of the package, and the centrepiece is "LOVE DIVE (PUBG Mashup Ver.)", a new arrangement mixing the original with PUBG's own music. Krafton has not listed prices or confirmed how the items will be sold, so treat any price you see before launch as unofficial. A dedicated web event at divewithpubg.com unlocks content on a schedule.

What gameplay changes come in Update 44.1?

The first LMG Meta Rotation ends early: the M249 and MG3 return to their pre-August balance, and the RPD is adjusted to match the other LMGs.
Vehicle health rises by 8% to 15% depending on type.
The Van, Pico Bus and Food Truck gain a trunk with 300 capacity; the BRDM-2 gets better handling and a higher top speed.
Dawnbreakers of Rondo gets a Nightmare difficulty set in Jadena City, and Xeno Point adds a Hell difficulty.
Ranked Season 44 offers a P90 weapon skin as a permanent tier reward.

Is this the same game as BGMI?

No. Update 44.1 is for the PC and console PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS. BGMI is a separate mobile release for India with its own update cycle; our BGMI vs PUBG comparison explains the differences. PUBG is also in the news off-screen: see our report on the live-action PUBG series.

Should you play during the collab?

If you only want the gameplay, the LMG and vehicle changes matter most: LMGs go back to the older balance, so expect fewer August-style LMG pushes, and sturdier vehicles make driving rotations safer. The IVE content is cosmetic, so it is mainly worth it for fans. Since PUBG is free-to-play on PC, trying the new Rondo areas costs nothing; check our deals page for other free games while the servers are down.