On November 4, 2026, Fragmentary Order, a new hardcore science-fiction shooter from Escape from Tarkov game director Nikita Buyanov, received its first major gameplay reveal. The presentation featured 14 minutes of in-engine footage, offering a closer look at the ambitious project and its gameplay mechanics.
Developed by Rant Gaming, the game takes place in the year 2251. Instead of Tarkov’s familiar modern-day setting, players will explore large-scale environments across the Solar System, face technologically advanced opponents, and adapt to challenging environmental conditions.
However, the developers are not simply trying to recreate Escape from Tarkov in space. Buyanov describes Fragmentary Order as an independent project with its own gameplay identity and a distinct approach to science fiction.
A Futuristic World and an Unusual Approach to Warfare
In Fragmentary Order, warfare has become an industry of its own. Players control RepEnts — remotely operated clones deployed into dangerous combat zones to carry out various operations.
This concept changes the traditional approach to character death. Losing a clone is treated more like a financial expense than a permanent defeat. Risk becomes part of the economic system, while combat operations are effectively a form of labor.
The developers are aiming for a grounded, realistic science-fiction experience. The game will feature large-scale maps, vehicles, drones, intelligent systems, and changing environmental conditions. Gravity, terrain, and other environmental factors are expected to influence tactical decisions and mission preparation.
Players will be able to form squads of up to four people. However, Fragmentary Order is not exclusively about firefights. Exploration, completing objectives, interacting with the environment, and managing risks are also expected to play important roles.
Prime Batch: Paid Access to Closed Testing
Alongside the gameplay reveal, the developers announced Prime Batch, a paid program that allows players to participate in Fragmentary Order’s closed testing phase.
Two membership tiers are available:
- Candidate — $44.99. Includes access to alpha sessions and major technical playtests, a special Candidate rank, and an exclusive in-game package.
- Founder — $79.99. Includes all Candidate benefits, an additional Founder package, earlier access to experimental builds, early visibility into the development roadmap, and access to a private community with direct developer communication.
Players can reduce their membership costs through achievements and rewards earned on COR3, the project’s companion platform featuring alternate reality game (ARG) elements.
The first wave of closed alpha testing is planned for late 2026. Testing will take place under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), meaning participants will not be free to share gameplay footage or other confidential materials.
When Will Fragmentary Order Be Released?
The developers have not announced a release date or provided a complete schedule for future testing. The project remains in active development. Rant Gaming currently has around 150 team members and plans to expand its workforce further.
Nikita Buyanov’s new project is certainly worth watching for fans of hardcore shooters and science fiction. However, it is still too early to say whether Fragmentary Order can achieve the same success as Escape from Tarkov. The 14-minute gameplay presentation offers an initial look at the concept, but much will depend on how its mechanics, balance, and overall experience develop during testing.
One thing is clear: the developers are aiming to build more than just another short-lived multiplayer shooter. Their ambition is to create a large-scale game world that can evolve and keep players engaged for years.
