'PUBG: Black Budget,' an extraction shooter currently in development as a spin-off of 'PUBG: Battlegrounds,' has begun recruiting participants for its second closed alpha test.

Krafton announced via a Steam store page event notice on May 8 that it is preparing for the second test, with specific dates to be announced later. Applications are currently open and can be submitted by clicking the 'Request Access' button on the game's Steam store page. Selected participants will be notified individually via Steam notifications and email.

Like the first closed alpha test held last December, this test will cover the North American, Asian, and European regions. Supported in-game languages include English, Chinese, Russian, Turkish, and Korean. Additionally, a friend invitation feature will be enabled at the start of the test, allowing players to invite up to two friends to join them. There is no non-disclosure agreement (NDA), meaning streaming, recording, and content sharing are all permitted.

'PUBG: Black Budget' was initially conceived as a looter shooter, but the development direction was shifted to an extraction shooter following the genre's significant market success. The game is currently being developed as a full first-person military extraction shooter, with a reported focus on high-quality character animations and detailed firearm mechanics.

Meanwhile, while the first test received positive feedback for its visuals and casual gameplay, it also faced criticism regarding security vulnerabilities and unstable operations, leading the developers to promise comprehensive improvements. 'Black Budget' is scheduled for release in 2026 as a paid title.