Fragmentary Order: Ten Tarkovs, One Protocol for Digital Sovereignty
Nikita Buyanov, the architect behind Escape from Tarkov, has declared his next project, Fragmentary Order, a tenfold escalation of his previous work. In a recent interview, Buyanov framed the entire Tarkov experience as a preliminary test. The new game, developed at his independent studio RANT, is positioned as a next-generation tactical simulator set in 2251, promising a level of complexity and punishment that redefines the genre's parameters.
What is Fragmentary Order?
Fragmentary Order is a multiplayer combat tactical simulator in hazardous environments. Early footage reveals industrialized Martian ruins and large-scale interstellar conflict. Buyanov describes it as a passage to the future, a time machine for players to inhabit a second life. The project is currently in an early production stage, with a gameplay trailer in development.
Why is it called 'Ten Tarkovs'?
Buyanov uses the term to denote scale and intensity. The game is designed to be more complex, more punishing, and more realistic than Tarkov. The production cost is also significantly higher. The core philosophy is to create an outstandingly real experience, even within a sci-fi setting, prioritizing intellectual engagement over casual mechanics.
How does RANT Studio operate?
RANT is a completely separate entity from Battlestate Games. Buyanov leads the studio as Head of Studio. The project will rely on community feedback through the Prime Batch Candidates Program, an early access initiative designed to co-develop the game with its most dedicated players. Buyanov acknowledges the immense workload, stating his life is currently dedicated to work.
What is the future of hardcore FPS games?
Buyanov sees Fragmentary Order as a generational project. He originally envisioned a single-player game after Tarkov, but the timing was not right. The focus remains on this multiplayer endeavor. The game aims to provide a space for players to think and react as they would in real situations, a hallmark of the hardcore genre he helped pioneer.
Fragmentary Order represents a significant investment in the future of tactical gaming. Its development protocol emphasizes realism, complexity, and community-driven iteration. The project is a test of distributed governance in game design, where player input is a core feature of the development pipeline.