Krafton shuts down PUBG spin-off Black Budget nine months after closed alpha test
Krafton has cancelled PUBG: Black Budget, an extraction shooter spin-off that was in closed alpha testing for approximately nine months. The game featured a unique time loop mechanic where teams aimed to survive and escape together rather than compete in a traditional last-one-standing battle royale format.
In an announcement on Steam, Krafton stated that after reviewing the project’s development status and future direction, they concluded “its current direction would not allow us to deliver an experience players could enjoy over the long term.” This determination prompted the decision to end development entirely.
Black Budget underwent multiple alpha and community tests throughout its development cycle on Steam, allowing Krafton to gather player feedback before reaching this conclusion. Despite the cancellation, Krafton indicated the project was not a complete loss, stating that PUBG Studios would carry forward valuable lessons learned from Black Budget’s development into future projects.
The cancellation represents a notable setback for Krafton’s efforts to expand the PUBG franchise beyond its core battle royale title, highlighting the challenges studios face when innovating within competitive genre spaces.