PUBG Corporation and Krafton have officially revealed PUBG: Black Budget, marking the second major PUBG-related project announced this year. While PUBG: Blindspot introduced a tactical 5v5 top-down experience earlier in 2025, Black Budget expands the franchise in a very different direction—an FPS extraction shooter built around high-stakes survival, dynamic tension, and a supernatural twist.
Expanding the PUBG Franchise
The PUBG universe began in March 2017 with the launch of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, a title that reshaped the battle royale genre and influenced countless games. Following Krafton’s rebranding to PUBG: Battlegrounds in 2021, the company has continued pushing the IP into new formats, including mobile titles and even originally planning cross-universe lore with other games.
Now, PUBG’s next evolution arrives through a new extraction-focused experience designed to stand alongside some of the biggest names in the genre.
PUBG: Black Budget — A New Take on Extraction Gameplay
Announced on November 21, 2025, PUBG: Black Budget is described as “an extraction shooter built around tension, survival, and the unknown.” The game places players on a mysterious island caught in a time loop and consumed by a supernatural force known as The Anomaly.
Unlike PUBG’s traditional gameplay, Black Budget is built primarily for first-person play, emphasizing immersion and atmospheric tension. According to official details, players will explore the island while battling enemies, completing missions, and racing to extract before the dangers close in.
Key Gameplay Features
The game’s feature list outlines a strong mix of PvP, PvE, exploration, and long-term progression:
World & Session Structure
- A 2.5 x 2.5 km open world designed for repeated expeditions
- 30-minute session lengths to balance pacing and pressure
- 45 players per session
- Squads of up to 3 players
- Level and squad-based matchmaking
Survival & Encounter Design
- PvPvE gameplay, mixing player conflict with dangerous AI threats
- The Anomaly, a supernatural force that shrinks the playable area
- Three rival factions, each offering unique missions and loyalty rewards
Progression Systems
- Meta progression through skills and permanent upgrades
- Customizable and upgradable base with functional structures
- A research station unlocking narrative elements
- Extensive weapon and gear customization
With extraction shooters currently surging in popularity—especially after recent major releases—Black Budget enters a competitive space. Titles like Arc Raiders and the long-awaited 1.0 release of Escape from Tarkov have raised expectations. Despite facing strong competition, PUBG’s brand recognition and established gameplay identity give Black Budget notable momentum heading into testing.
Closed Alpha Begins This December
While no release date has been announced, players can already sign up for the upcoming closed alpha through the game’s Steam page. The test will evaluate:
- Combat pacing
- Extraction balance
- Early-game systems
- Player progression
Closed Alpha Schedule
The alpha will run across two weekends, giving players multiple opportunities to test the game:
Week 1
Friday, December 12, 01:00 PST — Sunday, December 14, 23:59 PST
Week 2
Friday, December 19, 01:00 PST — Sunday, December 21, 23:59 PST
With its blend of supernatural elements, faction dynamics, and PUBG-style FPS combat, PUBG: Black Budget could become one of the most notable extraction shooters heading into 2026. Fans eager to experience the new direction can secure their spot in the alpha and explore the island before its secrets unfold.
