The world of PUBG is gearing up for a significant expansion beyond its battle royale roots. Krafton has officially announced an open beta for PUBG: Black Budget, a new extraction shooter set to arrive before the end of 2025. This news, confirmed during Krafton’s Q1 2025 earnings call, marks a bold new direction for the franchise, drawing inspiration from popular titles like Escape from Tarkov and Call of Duty: Warzone’s DMZ mode.
PUBG Black Budget Open Beta Incoming this year
Previously hinted at with a 2024-2025 launch window, and more specifically the second half of 2024 in earlier reports, the open beta confirmation solidifies the timeline for this highly anticipated title. While specific platforms remain unconfirmed, Black Budget is expected to launch on both PC and consoles.
Leaked details, largely attributed to prominent PUBG community leaker @PlayerIGN, paint a picture of a tense and strategic experience. The game will feature a 2.5×2.5 km map encompassing urban landscapes and subterranean areas. Players can expect high-quality FPS combat alongside a dynamic shrinking zone, a familiar mechanic from PUBG: Battlegrounds, albeit adapted for the extraction shooter genre. Adding another layer of complexity, Black Budget will also introduce human NPCs and roaming creatures to the environment.
However, the inclusion of a shrinking zone has sparked debate within the community. Some fear it might dilute the high-stakes tension inherent in extraction shooters, where the risk of losing valuable loot is a primary driver of engagement. Critics on platforms like X and Reddit worry that this could make Black Budget feel too similar to PUBG: Battlegrounds, potentially dividing Krafton’s existing player base.
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KRAFTON is developing PUBG: Project VALOR
In parallel, Krafton is also developing PUBG: Project Valor, a console-exclusive battle royale title. Details surrounding this project are currently scarce, with no specific release date or beta timeline announced. However, its console exclusivity is a notable decision, potentially targeting players who prefer controller-based battle royale experiences.
The development of Project Valor is being spearheaded by the PUBG US – Madison team, likely involving Dave Curd, the studio director and former creative director of PUBG: Battlegrounds. Curd’s history emphasizes evolving PUBG’s survival-focused gameplay, suggesting Project Valor will likely refine the core battle royale formula for console players, potentially incorporating elements from PUBG: Battlegrounds’ 2025 roadmap, such as enhanced UI and new interactive objects. The Madison team’s past contributions to PUBG: Battlegrounds, including the Sanhok remaster and Miramar map development, highlight their expertise in map design and gameplay polish.
While information on Project Valor remains limited and largely based on leaks, the official confirmation of the PUBG: Black Budget open beta before the end of 2025 signals an exciting new chapter for the PUBG universe. As Krafton ventures into the extraction shooter genre and further refines the battle royale experience for consoles, the gaming community will be watching closely to see how these new titles evolve and carve their niche in a competitive market.
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