New Delhi: PUBG’s new extraction shooter, Black Budget, is finally stepping into public testing with a two-week Closed Alpha in December. The announcement has already created a good amount of buzz in PC communities, mostly because this is the first proper hands-on look at the game. It’s interesting to see Krafton open the doors without any NDA this early.
The tests will be open to players across North America, Europe, and Asia, with full freedom to stream, post gameplay, and discuss every part of the experience. For those of us who enjoy digging into early builds, this kind of transparency feels refreshing.
PUBG: Black Budget images } Source: Steam
PUBG Black Budget: Alpha dates and regions
The Closed Alpha will run for two weeks with weekend test windows.
Week 1 runs from 12 December (Friday) 14:30 IST to 15 December (Sunday) 15:29 IST.
Week 2 runs from 19 December (Friday) 14:30 IST to 22 December (Sunday) 15:29 IST.
The test covers PC players on Steam and supports English, Korean, Chinese, and Russian. Only FPP will be available, which fits the game’s tactical extraction style.
What the developers want to test
The team says the Alpha will focus on things that shape the game’s early identity.
These include:
- early-game systems
- combat pacing
- extraction balance
- player progression
Technical issues are expected since the game is still in its Alpha stage, and players can report problems through the official Discord channels.
PUBG: Black Budget images } Source: Steam
Minimum PC requirements
- Windows 10 minimum, Windows 11 recommended
- 6-core CPU
- RTX 2060 or AMD equivalent with 8 GB VRAM
- 16 GB RAM
- DirectX 12
- 30 GB storage
- Stable broadband connection
Players can apply through the Steam store page. Those hoping for guaranteed entry can watch partnered streams on Twitch or Chzzk to claim a key through Drops.
What PUBG: Black Budget is about
Black Budget leans fully into FPP tactical extraction with a sci-fi twist. You play as a Contractor hired for a classified operation on an island affected by a strange event called the Anomaly. The map resets through a time-loop, and the longer you stay inside, the more dangerous it becomes.
Between missions, players expand their Base, craft gear, research artifacts, and improve skills. The developers describe it as a PvPvE world where every decision is a gamble.
I’ve played enough extraction shooters to know that pacing can make or break the experience. The idea of a time-loop island that becomes worse the longer you stay actually sounds fun and stressful in the right way.
PUBG: Black Budget images } Source: Steam
How to join the PUBG: Black Budget Alpha
Players can:
- Apply on the Steam store page
- Wait for direct invite notifications
- Watch Twitch or Chzzk streams to earn guaranteed access
The Alpha is open, and footage is allowed, so we’re likely to see gameplay clips flood social media in mid-December.