Escape From Tarkov Creator Calls New Game 'Next Level Challenge'

Nikita Buyanov, the lead figure behind Battlestate Games and the creator of the popular extraction shooter Escape From Tarkov, has described his new project, Fragmentary Order, as a "next level challenge." He indicated that Escape From Tarkov, which he spent over a decade developing, was merely "practice" in comparison to his latest endeavor.

Fragmentary Order is a science fiction-themed hardcore first-person shooter built on Unreal Engine 5. The project was revealed on April 13, 2026. Buyanov established a new studio, Rant Gaming, to develop Fragmentary Order independently, while assuring that he remains committed to the ongoing development of Escape From Tarkov.

The game's setting diverges significantly from Escape From Tarkov's gritty, realistic environment. Fragmentary Order is set within our solar system and blends extraction gameplay with a science fiction narrative. A core concept involves players "remotely controlling" their characters in desolate landscapes, a gameplay loop that draws parallels to titles like Bungie's Marathon.

Escape From Tarkov, which codified the "loot and escape" genre, officially launched its 1.0 version on November 15, 2025, after nearly a decade in testing, and became available on Steam. The alpha test for Fragmentary Order is slated to begin in late 2026, with players currently able to explore the game's world through its official website.