A New PUBG Spinoff You Probably Forgot About
Back in 2023, Krafton quietly announced that PUBG would be getting its own extraction shooter spinoff, known then as Project Black Budget. It was originally aimed at a late 2024 launch, but that window came and went with no game in sight. For a lot of people it completely dropped off the radar.
Now it is back with a proper name and a real test date. PUBG: Black Budget is officially on the way, and players will get their first chance to try it in a closed alpha on PC this December.
If you like the tension of extraction shooters but want something that is not just a nonstop sweat fest, Black Budget might be worth watching. The devs are promising a stronger focus on exploring and discovering the world instead of only chasing kills.
What Is PUBG: Black Budget Exactly
Black Budget is being developed by PUBG Studios, the same team behind the original battle royale. Instead of dropping 100 players into an ever shrinking circle, this new game goes for a PvPvE format on a single mysterious island.
That means:
- Player versus player combat for loot and extractions
- Player versus environment enemies and threats that also fight you
- A mix of human enemies and AI that can mess up your run
The twist is the setting. The action takes place on a remote island that is stuck in a time loop and is slowly being eaten away by a supernatural force called the Anomaly. It is not the most original name in the world, but the setup gives PUBG Studios an excuse to play with weird events, changing layouts, and strange encounters each run.
Where a lot of extraction shooters lean hard into hardcore survival, Black Budget is pitching itself differently. The studio says the game will emphasize exploration and discovery over pure survival and combat. Think less constant panic and more sneaking around, piecing together what is going on, and choosing your fights carefully.
If you have tried games like Arc Raiders and enjoyed the more cooperative side of that style of shooter, Black Budget feels like it is aiming for a similar space. There will still be gunfights and danger, but the vibe is not meant to be only about wiping other squads as fast as possible.
How To Join The December Alpha Test
The first public hands on with PUBG: Black Budget is coming as a closed alpha on Steam for PC players only. It will be available in three major regions: North America, Europe, and Asia.
There are two short testing windows:
- Session one: December 12 to December 14
- Session two: December 19 to December 21
Getting in is pretty simple. Head to the PUBG: Black Budget page on Steam and hit the request access button. From there you wait and hope you are selected. PUBG Studios has not said how many people will be invited, but since this is an early alpha you should expect the number of slots to be limited.
The team is also being upfront about the current state of the game. As an alpha, it may have plenty of rough edges, from bugs and crashes to unbalanced weapons and half finished systems. If you get in, go in expecting something closer to a work in progress than a near final release.
No NDA And Lots Of Community Involvement
One of the most interesting choices around this test is what PUBG Studios is not doing. There is no NDA for the alpha at all. Players are free to stream their sessions, upload clips, and share their opinions during the entire test period.
If you are a streamer or just like watching games on Twitch and YouTube, that means you will likely get a very clear look at the current state of Black Budget even if you are not personally in the test. On top of that, PUBG Studios will be handing out additional access keys through Twitch Drops, which should give more people a chance to get in as they watch.
The studio says this open format is designed to bring the community into the process early. The goal is to collect feedback on gameplay systems, balance, and performance so that future tests and eventual launch can feel smoother. It is a very transparent approach that leans into public testing instead of hiding everything behind closed doors.
That stands out even more when you compare it to other big shooters right now. Bungie is also running tests for its revival of Marathon, but those sessions are tightly locked down. Marathon playtests are restricted to North America and take place under a strict NDA, just a few months out from launch. PUBG: Black Budget is doing almost the opposite, inviting players across multiple regions to share everything they see.
For fans of extraction shooters, or anyone who enjoys cooperative PvPvE with a bit of weird sci fi flavor, PUBG: Black Budget is shaping up to be one of the more interesting experiments on the 2025 calendar. If the idea of a time loop island, supernatural anomalies, and loot focused runs with room for teamwork sounds appealing, it might be worth hitting that request access button and seeing if you can get a spot in December.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/the-pubg-extraction-shooter-spinoff-springs-back-to-life-with-a-closed-alpha-test-set-for-december-and-its-focus-on-exploration-over-pure-combat-sounds-a-lot-like-my-favorite-part-of-arc-raiders/
