I still remember the cold November of 2023, not because of the weather, but because PUBG opened the first-ever Black Market. From my 2026 vantage point, that event feels like a legendary season: a hidden bazaar where old dreams returned and new chromas glittered. I was there, crouched in the Hideout, cracking Contraband Crates and chasing Black Market Tokens like they were gold bars. The Black Market was loaded with premium merchandise, and I was ready to spend.

A Hidden Bazaar in the Hideout

The Hideout became my second home. The Black Market restocked exclusive items that had been hard to come by. I could swing by the Hideout to open Contraband Crates, secure a new Crafter Pass, or visit the Store for Black Market Tokens and exceptional Special Crafting. It was my chance to finally get coveted items.

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Originality returned in Black Market 2023 with returning Progressive Weapon Skins, outfits, and new additions. The first products were special Contraband Crates, each showcasing two different Progressive Weapon Skins per week. New items included Gear Head I, Buzzkill, Neon Dream, and Trick-or-treat. Unlockable cosmetics for Progressive Weapon Skins were on the Hideout - Weapon page. Drop probabilities were on Hideout - Contraband - More Details. Black Market Vouchers could also open these crates.

Four Weeks, Four Chances

I marked my calendar like a raid schedule. Each week brought a different Progressive Weapon Skin and Chroma.

Week Progressive Skin PC Window (UTC) Console Window (UTC)
Week 1 Gear Head - Beryl M762 & Chroma Nov 8 after maintenance - Nov 15, 2 AM Nov 16 after maintenance - Nov 23, 1 AM
Week 2 Buzzkill - SLR & Chroma Nov 15, 2 AM - Nov 22, 2 AM Nov 23, 1 AM - Nov 30, 1 AM
Week 3 Neon Dream - AUG & Chroma Nov 22, 2 AM - Nov 29, 2 AM Nov 30, 1 AM - Dec 7, 1 AM
Week 4 Trick-or-treat - M416 & Chroma Nov 29, 2 AM - Dec 6, 12 AM Dec 7, 1 AM - Dec 14, 1 AM

For KST players, those windows shifted by nine hours: Week 1 PC ran Nov 8 after maintenance to Nov 15, 11 AM, and console Nov 16 after maintenance to Nov 23, 10 AM. The pattern continued through December. I played on PC, so I lived in UTC.

My Crafter Pass Golden Ticket

Next in the Black Market line was the Crafter Pass. I bought it to earn rewards and craft Progressive Weapon Skins and Chromas. The Basic Pack cost 1,200 G-COIN and included the Premium Pass, one Black Market 2023 Loot Cache, and 100 Black Market 2023 Tokens. The Advanced Pack cost 3,800 G-COIN and included the Premium Pass, five Loot Caches, 300 Tokens, 10 Levels, and a Nameplate. Due to legal regulations, the Crafter Pass was not available in Belgium and the Netherlands. The PC sales period ran Nov 8 after maintenance to Dec 6, 12 AM UTC; console ran Nov 16 after maintenance to Dec 14, 1 AM UTC.

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I cleared daily, weekly, season, and achievement missions to obtain Black Market Tokens. I had to use them before expiry: PC Dec 11 UTC, console Dec 19 UTC. Expired Tokens were removed and could not be used, exchanged, or refunded. That pressure made every match feel like a heist.

Brewing at the Workshop

Special Crafting was where the magic happened. I went to Workshop → Special Crafting to craft Black Market goods. Progressive Weapon Skins and Chromas were added, and a total of 44 items were craftable with Black Market Tokens. The Special Crafting - Black Market 2023 tab closed on PC Dec 11, 12 AM UTC and console Dec 19, 1 AM UTC.

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I spent hours comparing recipes, deciding whether to chase a Chroma or save Tokens for a surprise. Every craft felt like opening a vault.

Loot Caches and Prime Parcels

Tokens also came through Black Market 2023 Loot Cache Packs. The packs offered one cache for 250 G-COIN, 11 for 2,500, 27 for 6,250, and 55 for 12,500. Keys were not required to open Loot Caches. The sales period matched the Crafter Pass: PC Nov 8 after maintenance to Dec 6, 12 AM UTC; console Nov 16 after maintenance to Dec 14, 1 AM UTC. Token expiry stayed PC Dec 11 and console Dec 19. I could preview all items in the Store before buying.

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Events, Rewards, and Guilt-Free Shopping

The Black Market also brought events. Event missions and rewards ran on PC from Nov 8, 7 AM UTC to Dec 5, 7 AM UTC, and on console from Nov 16, 7 AM UTC to Dec 13, 7 AM UTC. KST times were Nov 8, 4 PM to Dec 5, 4 PM and Nov 16, 4 PM to Dec 13, 4 PM. It was guilt-free shopping, as the slogan promised.

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Looking back from 2026, I realize Black Market 2023 was more than a sale. It was a reunion with Progressive Weapon Skins I thought I would never see again, a chance to earn fresh Chromas, and a masterclass in limited-time tension. The Hideout, the Contraband Crates, the Crafter Pass, the Tokens, and the 44 craftable items all became part of my PUBG story. If another Black Market opens, I will be there again, ready to crack crates and craft memories. But 2023 will always be the first one that made me feel like a true collector.