Nikita Buyanov, the driving force behind the influential extraction shooter Escape From Tarkov, has unveiled his next ambitious endeavor: Fragmentary Order. Developed by a new studio, Rant Gaming, this title aims to deliver a hyper-realistic, hardcore first-person shooter experience set within a sprawling science fiction universe.
Buyanov, widely credited with popularizing the extraction shooter mechanics seen in games like Arc Raiders and Call of Duty's DMZ, expressed a desire to move beyond his decade-long work on Escape From Tarkov. Fragmentary Order is envisioned not merely as 'Tarkov in space,' but as a grounded simulation of a potential future, incorporating elements from various sci-fi subgenres. The game is being developed separately from Battlestate Games to ensure continued support for Escape From Tarkov.
The core philosophy behind Fragmentary Order appears to be an even greater emphasis on realism and player immersion than Tarkov. Buyanov stated that while the game will be more complex and punishing than its predecessor, the rewards will also be significantly greater. The aim is to create an experience where players feel as though they are truly living within the game's universe, a concept he refers to as a "second life experience."
"I always wanted to make something in the sci-fi genre, and by that I mean not only just some fancy 'Tarkov in space' kind of thing, but I really wanted to make proper sci-fi, like model the future, simulate the future to make it super realistic and grounded, that people will believe in," Buyanov explained. He intends to achieve this realism through advanced future mechanics tied to the game's lore and visual design, pushing beyond conventional gunplay and combat.
To immerse players further, Fragmentary Order will feature systems designed to make the world feel lived-in and complex. Buyanov noted that certain areas or mechanics might be inaccessible to most players, creating a sense of mystery and depth that encourages exploration and mastery. This approach aims to provide players with a tangible sense of accomplishment and a unique role within the game's universe, mirroring the complexities of real life.
Development on Fragmentary Order has been underway for two years, with a team of 130 individuals. The studio is currently prototyping new mechanics and has built out initial locations and multiplayer builds. While a full-scale release is not imminent, Buyanov confirmed that something will be released this year, with a gameplay trailer planned to showcase the game's actual mechanics and visuals. An alpha test is also slated for release later this year, with an accompanying browser-based experience available now at cor3.gg, which will allow players to earn resources that carry over into the main game.
Buyanov also emphasized the importance of technical stability, learning from the challenges faced during Tarkov's development and release. He highlighted significant investments in servers and content distribution networks to ensure Fragmentary Order can handle a large influx of players without succumbing to technical issues.
The creator stressed that Fragmentary Order is not intended to replace Escape From Tarkov but rather to offer a distinct experience for players seeking hardcore, realistic gameplay in a science fiction setting. He aims to innovate within the extraction shooter framework, potentially creating new genre conventions, much like he did with Tarkov.
"I just want to make something new and wonderful and groundbreaking again, or at least I will die trying to," Buyanov stated regarding his ambition for the project.