PUBG: Black Budget is an upcoming tactical extraction shooter developed by PUBG Corporation (part of PUBG Studios) and published by KRAFTON, Inc., announced officially on November 21, 2025, as a new title in the PUBG universe designed to redefine the genre with a strong emphasis on exploration, discovery, tension, survival, and the unknown rather than pure combat. Players take on the role of a Contractor, a hardened veteran hired for a classified operation on the mysterious island of Coli, located at the edge of the world and trapped in a supernatural time loop caused by a phenomenon known as the Anomaly, which gradually shrinks the playable area and heightens unpredictability with every loop. The core mission involves recovering top-secret technology from an abandoned research facility, extracting artifacts, researching findings at a dedicated station to uncover the truth behind the black-budget initiative called SAPIENS, while facing dynamic PvPvE threats from other Contractors (players) and various hostile entities, including grotesque NPC monsters.
Image Source: Steam
The game features a 2.5 km x 2.5 km open-world island map with diverse biomes, points of interest, and underground facilities like tropical areas, caverns, offices, portals, and black holes, supporting up to 30-minute sessions that blend exploration, combat, and extraction in a first-person perspective (FPP-only for the alpha). It includes persistent inventory where players keep extracted loot but lose items upon death, level- and squad-based matchmaking for up to 3-player squads and 45 players per session, difficulty scaling based on player level and time spent in the loop, three rival factions offering contracts, missions, and rewards tied to loyalty and reputation, and full character progression through skills, proficiencies, and upgrades. Between missions, players can expand a personal Base with crafting stations, stash upgrades, and facilities that generate income, customize weapons and gear (including faction-exclusive items), use healing items and stimulants, and personalize appearances, clothing, and skins. The closed alpha test, serving as the first external playtest to gather feedback on early-game systems, combat pacing, extraction balance, and player progression, runs without an NDA, allowing free streaming, recording, and sharing of content.
Image Source: Steam
The Closed Alpha Test is exclusively for PC via Steam, available in North America, Europe (including CIS), and Asia, with support for English, Korean, Chinese (Simplified), and Russian languages, scheduled over two weekends: December 12-14 (Friday 01:00 to Sunday 23:59 PST) and December 19-21 (same times), totaling six days. To participate, players can request access directly on the Steam store page, where accepted invites are notified via Steam email and page status; alternatively, keys can be earned through Twitch and Chzzk Drops by linking a Krafton ID and watching eligible streams starting December 10, though streamer keys may deplete quickly. Creators can apply for exclusive perks, including extra codes for distribution, via a Google Form linked on official channels. Minimum system requirements include Windows 10/11, a 6-core Intel/AMD CPU, NVIDIA RTX 2060 or AMD equivalent (8GB VRAM), 16GB RAM, DirectX 12, 30GB storage, and stable broadband; recommended specs upgrade to RTX 3070/RX 6800, i5-12400/Ryzen 5 5600. Note that the alpha may feature technical issues, and feedback is encouraged via Discord.
No full release date has been announced, with speculation pointing to 2026 or later following additional betas, and pricing remains undetermined but potentially free-to-play or premium around $30-45 like similar titles; the game is PC-focused initially with no console details. Updates and community engagement continue via the Steam page, official X account (@PUBGBlackBudget), and Discord, where players can wishlist the game for notifications.
Source: Krafton
