Development on the PUBG spin-off Black Budget is coming to an end, nine months after the closed alpha test on Steam.
Black Budget is a unique extraction shooter centered around a time loop, aiming for team survival and escape rather than the typical battle royale format. Throughout the year, the game underwent several alpha and community tests.
According to Krafton’s statement on Steam, “After evaluating the project’s progress and future direction, we have determined that the current trajectory would not result in a sustainable player experience over the long term.”
The team expressed gratitude towards all participants in the Closed Alpha tests for their feedback, noting that insights gained will be carried forward into future projects. PUBG Studios remains committed to player feedback as they explore new gaming experiences.
This marks the second cancellation of a PUBG spin-off this year, with Blindspot being shut down in March after two months in Early Access.
Krafton’s vision to transform PUBG Battlegrounds into a “content platform” with user-generated content based on the game’s core elements remains intact. The company had intended for Black Budget and Blindspot to test the expansion of the PUBG IP into new genres.
Despite the setbacks, PUBG revealed a new spin-off called PUBG: Ded.Net at Gamescom in August, featuring multiplayer shooter gameplay with roguelike progression.
Krafton reported impressive Q2 results, with revenue soaring by 94.9% to ₩1.29 trillion ($889.1 million). The success was attributed to the continued growth of the PUBG franchise and the popularity of Unknown Worlds’ Subnautica 2.
PUBG revenue climbed by 25% year-over-year, driven by the evolution of a central gameplay platform and new collaborations with various IP and brands.