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No: PUBG: Black Budget is not coming out next month. PUBG Studios says it has ended development, according to an update dated September 30, 2026. The original headline is outdated. ARC Raiders is a useful comparison because both games fit the extraction genre, but its announced free-to-play window runs from October 8 to October 12, 2026—not next month.
Is PUBG: Black Budget still coming out?
No. PUBG Studios’ September 30, 2026 development update says the studio decided to end development. Its stated reason was: “After reviewing the project’s development status and future direction, we concluded that its current direction would not allow us to deliver an experience players could enjoy over the long term.” The update does not provide further business, financial, or test-result detail, so there is no basis to attribute the cancellation to a particular commercial outcome or player response.
That means Black Budget is not an upcoming release or a game readers can expect to play next month. The title and its planned features describe a canceled project, not a released game.
What Black Budget was planned to be
Krafton first disclosed the project as Project Black Budget in its Q3 2022 earnings materials; the PUBG: Black Budget name was attached in November 2025, according to Aju Press. It was described as a PvPvE extraction shooter set on Coli, a time-loop island. The same report says matches were designed for up to 45 players in three-person squads, facing rival teams, AI creatures, and anomalies. Those are reported plans for the canceled game, not features available to play.
#1 Best Overall
![ARC Raiders Deluxe - PC Steam [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51I3Aj2PM0L._SL160_.jpg)
- ARC Raiders Deluxe Edition includes the base game and the following content: The Wanderer Set, including the following cosmetic items: “Valente” Outfit" “Pathfinder” Backpack,“Blanket Roll” Backpack Attachment.
- Plus: Character Cosmetic, Finger Gun Rapid Fire Emote, Cowboy Scrappy Body Type and Skin, 2 400 Raider Tokens.
How Black Budget compared with ARC Raiders
ARC Raiders is a fair genre comparison, not a proven direct commercial rival. Its official site calls it an extraction adventure and lists cross-platform social play across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. The available sources do not establish audience overlap or market share, and they do not provide a comparable ARC Raiders lobby-size figure.
| Design point | PUBG: Black Budget (canceled project) | ARC Raiders |
|---|---|---|
| Setting and threats | Coli, a time-loop island, with AI creatures and anomalies; described by Aju Press. | A hostile surface and mechanical ARC; see the official site. |
| Player-versus-player and AI | Reported as PvPvE, with rival teams and AI threats; Aju Press. | Officially described as an extraction adventure; the cited official page does not specify an equivalent lobby or player-count figure. |
| Squads and match scale | Up to 45 players in three-person squads, as reported by Aju Press. | Not stated on the official site. |
| Platforms | Not stated in the cited Aju Press report. | Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and GeForce NOW, listed on the official site. |
Can you play ARC Raiders for free next month?
No. Embark Studios announced a limited free-to-play window on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation from October 8, 2026 at 09:00 UTC until October 12, 2026 at 08:00 UTC. As of October 8, that window is underway and ends before November. Check the official ARC Raiders site for current access and platform terms, since availability can change.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- ARC Raiders–Inspired Design: Bold, high-quality graphics with vibrant colors that capture the iconic ARC Raiders aesthetic.
- Durable Premium Vinyl: Made from thick, high-grade vinyl for long-lasting use on cars, laptops, skateboards, walls, and flasks.
- UV & Weather Resistant: Fade-proof, waterproof, and scratch-resistant—perfect for indoor and outdoor applications.
- Easy Application & Removal: Applies smoothly without bubbles and removes cleanly with no sticky residue left behind.
- Versatile Décor & Gift Idea: Ideal for personalizing gear, accessories, and spaces, and a great gift for ARC Raiders fans.
Rank #4
- Use cunning strategy and tactics to tame, train, ride and breed the 100+ dinosaurs and other primeval creatures roaming the dynamic, persistent ecosystems across land, sea, air, and even underground Build your character's strengths and gain items, skills, and pet creatures using in-depth role-playing systems
- Start a tribe with hundreds of other players to survive and dominate competing tribes...and ultimately discover ARK's true purpose
- Build a fire or shelter, then craft customizable clothing & armors to help protect against damage and extreme temperatures on your way to unlocking advanced technologies and equipment
- Chop down trees and mine metal and other precious resources to build massive multi-leveled structures composed of complex snap-linked parts
Rank #3
- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dyno herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety, and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
- Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes, and styles
- Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout
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