PUBG isn’t just about chicken dinners anymore. With its newly revealed project, PUBG Black Budget, Krafton and PUBG Studios are stepping into the rising world of extraction shooters, blending looting, tactical combat, and high-stakes survival on a remote island trapped in a time loop.
Black Budget is not a traditional battle royale. Players take on the role of “Contractors,” elite operatives sent to retrieve secret technology from an abandoned research facility.
But the island they infiltrate is far from ordinary. A mysterious phenomenon called the Anomaly traps the island in a repeating time loop, where both environmental threats and rival players escalate with every cycle.
Matches are structured around intense 30-minute sessions, featuring up to 45 players split into squads of three. Unlike standard BR gameplay, victory isn’t about outlasting others, it’s about extracting loot, completing contracts, and surviving long enough to escape.
Every item you retrieve is yours, but not guaranteed to make it out unscathed. The shrinking zone mechanic, influenced by the Anomaly, adds pressure, keeping players on edge throughout each match.
Character progression plays a key role. Between missions, players can upgrade bases, craft weapons, and level up skills. Three rival factions offer unique contracts and missions that shape reputation and progression, while deep customization allows players to fine-tune gear, unlock faction-specific items, and access strategic advantages.
PUBG Studios is opening the game to the public with a closed alpha in December 2025, split over two weekends. The test supports multiple languages and regions, and importantly, there’s no NDA, players can stream and share content freely.
This early access gives a glimpse into the game’s potential and hints at the studio’s broader strategy for evolving the PUBG universe.
Black Budget represents a significant pivot for PUBG. While extraction shooters like Escape from Tarkov have surged in popularity, PUBG’s approach combines its signature tense gunplay with narrative-driven, looped survival mechanics.
The gamble is high: purists may question the inclusion of shrinking zones in an extraction context, but for players who thrive on risk and reward, this could become a defining new experience.
Whether it becomes a breakout hit or a niche side project, PUBG: Black Budget signals that PUBG Studios isn’t content to rest on its legacy. It’s a high-stakes experiment that could redefine the franchise’s future, blending strategy, survival, and science-fiction mystery into a single, compelling package.
