You can finally look at PUBG Studios’ next big experiment, PUBG Black Budget. This new extraction shooter takes the familiar PUBG universe and twists it into something darker, slower, and more tactical. Early access is kicking off with a December closed alpha on Steam, so now is a great time to understand what the game actually offers.
What Is PUBG Black Budget?
You can think of PUBG Black Budget as PUBG’s take on Escape from Tarkov or Arc Raiders. It is a first-person extraction shooter built around survival, tension, exploration, and risk versus reward. Instead of being the last person alive, you are a contractor dropped onto Coli Island, a research zone trapped in a time loop by a supernatural phenomenon called the Anomaly. Your job is simple on paper: infiltrate the island, secure experimental tech, survive the dangers, and extract before the loop resets.
How to Join the December Closed Alpha
You can sign up for the closed alpha directly via the game’s Steam page. The test runs in two sessions in December 2025 and is limited to PC players in North America, Europe, and Asia. The alpha focuses on core combat pacing, extraction balance, early crafting, and base-building systems. You should expect bugs, missing features, and plenty of balance changes. Additionally, Extra keys will be given away through Twitch Drops during the test, allowing more players to join.
MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
- OS: Windows 10 (Minimum), Windows 11 (Recommended)
- CPU: 6-Core Processor (Intel or AMD equivalent)
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 2060 / AMD equivalent (8GB VRAM minimum)
- RAM: 16 GB
- DirectX: Version 12
- Disk Space: 30 GB
Core Match Structure and Map
You will drop into a 2.5 x 2.5 km island in sessions lasting up to 30 minutes. Before the match starts, you can choose your gear and spawn point. Then explore labs, bunkers, crash sites, tunnels, and overgrown ruins for loot and intel. Moreover, up to 45 players share each session in solos or three-player squads. However, High-value zones offer better loot but higher risks, pulling players into tense clashes (similar to hot drops in traditional PUBG matches).
How Extraction Works
You can leave the map by reaching extraction points before the Anomaly makes things impossible. Extracting successfully lets you keep all the loot, tech, and gear you collected. Getting killed sends you back to your base with any items you did not secure lost for good. This persistent inventory system is what makes every push and gunfight feel risky. Each match either grows your stash and upgrades or wipes your progress for that run.
The Anomaly and Time Loop
You will notice the island changing as the Anomaly compresses the playable space. Instead of a simple blue zone, whole areas destabilize, distort, or become more dangerous as the loop progresses. Hazard zones, strange phenomena, and environmental threats push squads closer together. The longer you stay, the harder extraction becomes. This PvPvE loop forces constant decisions: push deeper for more loot or leave early and bank what you already have.
PvPvE Combat and Gunplay
You can expect gunplay that feels familiar if you like PUBG, but everything is tuned for tighter first-person encounters. Standing still or taking bad fights is punished because every bullet and every peek risks your gear. Alongside other contractors, you are dealing with environmental hazards and potential AI enemies depending on the area. The goal is not to wipe the lobby but to complete your objectives and escape alive.
Base, Factions, and Progression
You can return to your personal base after each raid. This is where long-term progression lives. You upgrade crafting stations, expand storage, unlock new loadouts, and research artifacts gathered from the island. Three rival factions offer missions, contracts, and unique rewards. As you build reputation, you unlock more gear options and shape your playstyle, whether that’s stealthy looter, aggressive hunter, or support-focused teammate.
Who Should Try PUBG Black Budget?
You might enjoy Black Budget if you love tactical shooters, high-stakes looting, and long-term progression. Also, Fans of PUBG who want a slower, more methodical experience will likely feel at home. The sci-fi tone and time loop twist make the world feel different enough from standard battle royale. If you dislike early-access bugs or stressful gear loss, it may be better to wait for a later test or full release.