PUBG: Black Budget: The Next Evolution from PUBG Studios

The creators of the global phenomenon PUBG: Battlegrounds are venturing into new territory. PUBG: Black Budget is not a new map or a seasonal update—it’s a standalone tactical extraction shooter that represents PUBG Studios’ most ambitious project since the original battle royale. Designed as a first-person experience, the game aims to redefine the genre by blending intense PvPvE combat with exploration and a supernatural mystery.

The game’s first hands-on experience is currently underway, with a Closed Alpha Test running in two sessions throughout December 2025. This article breaks down everything we know so far about the setting, gameplay, and how you can get involved.

The Mystery of Coli Island: A World Stuck in a Loop

You are a Contractor, a hardened veteran hired for a classified “black-budget” operation. Your mission is to infiltrate the mysterious Coli Island and recover advanced technology from an abandoned research facility. However, the mission immediately goes awry: the island is trapped in a supernatural time loop, consumed by a phenomenon known only as The Anomaly.

Your goal is not just to survive but to investigate. You must extract artifacts, research findings, and gradually uncover the truth behind the SAPIENS initiative, the secret project at the heart of the island’s catastrophe. With each repeated loop, the environment becomes more dangerous and unpredictable.

Core Gameplay: Tension, Survival, and Extraction

PUBG: Black Budget is built on the foundational pillars of the extraction shooter genre but introduces its own distinct mechanics:

• The Core Loop: Matches are up to 30-minute sessions on a 2.5km x 2.5km open-world island. Your objective is to explore diverse biomes and underground facilities, complete contracts, gather valuable loot, and survive long enough to reach an extraction point.
• High-Stakes Inventory: The game features a persistent inventory system. You keep every item you successfully extract, but you lose everything you bring into a match if you die before getting out.
• Dynamic PvPvE Threats: Danger comes from all sides. You’ll face off against up to 44 other players (in squads of up to 3) while also contending with hostile NPC entities that inhabit the island. The shrinking playable area, pressured by The Anomaly, forces these encounters in tense, unpredictable scenarios.
• Progression Between Raids: Outside of matches, you will manage and expand a personal Base. Here, you can craft new gear, upgrade your stash, and improve your Contractor’s skills and proficiencies. Your loyalty to one of three rival factions will unlock unique contracts, missions, and rewards.

PUBG: Black Budget Closed Alpha Test Details

PUBG Studios is currently conducting a Closed Alpha Test to gather crucial community feedback.

• Test Schedule: The test is being held in two windows: December 12-14 and December 19-21, 2025.
• How to Get Access: The primary method was to request access via the game’s Steam store page. Additionally, players could earn keys through Twitch Drops by watching designated streams during the event. The developers have been actively fixing key distribution issues, indicating high demand.
• Platform & Details: The test is exclusively for PC via Steam and supports English, Korean, Russian, and Chinese languages. Only the First-Person Perspective (FPP) mode is available for this test.

PC System Requirements

To prepare for the technical demands of the alpha and the final game, here are the official system requirements:

What’s Next for PUBG: Black Budget?

The official release date is still “To be Announced”. The ongoing Closed Alpha is a key step in development, and player feedback will shape the game’s future. More public tests are likely before a full launch.

Want to follow the game’s development? The best sources for official updates are the PUBG: Black Budget Steam page and announcements from PUBG Studios on X (formerly Twitter).