Krafton, the developer of the widely-played PUBG: Battlegrounds, is expanding its footprint in the gaming market with a new title.The company announced November 21, 2025, its entry into the extraction shooter genre with PUBG: Black Budget, a spin-off intended to broaden the PUBG franchise. A closed alpha test is scheduled for December, offering a first look at the game’s unique approach to the genre which emphasizes exploration alongside customary combat elements.
PUBG is expanding into the extraction shooter genre with a new spin-off, Black Budget, and an alpha test is coming soon.
Krafton, the studio behind the popular battle royale game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (now PUBG: Battlegrounds), announced today, November 21, 2025, that it is entering the extraction shooter market with a new title, PUBG: Black Budget. The move signals a broadening of the PUBG franchise beyond its established battle royale format.
According to the company, Black Budget aims to “redefine the extraction shooter genre” by prioritizing exploration and discovery over simply surviving and engaging in combat. This approach suggests a shift in focus for the traditionally high-intensity gameplay associated with extraction shooters.
Players will get a first look at the new title in December with the start of a closed alpha test. The test will initially be limited to PC users via Steam, and will be available to players in North America, Europe, and Asia. Participants in Europe should be proficient in English, Korean, Russian, or Chinese, as a German version is not currently available.
The closed alpha will take place on the island of Coli, described as a mysterious location trapped in a time loop and plagued by a supernatural phenomenon known as “Anomaly.” Players will face both player-versus-player (PvP) and player-versus-environment (PvE) challenges while searching for highly classified technology and uncovering the truth behind a secret initiative called “SAPIENS.”
The alpha test will be divided into two public test phases, running from December 12 to 14 and December 19 to 21. Interested players can apply to participate through the game’s Steam product page.
Those selected for the test will be permitted to freely stream, record, and share gameplay footage, promising a wealth of early impressions on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.
