Rant Gaming and publisher Cor3 have officially revealed Fragmentary Order, a hardcore sci-fi extraction shooter led by Escape from Tarkov creator Nikita Buyanov. Set in the year 2251, the game puts players in control of remote-operated clones across a war-torn solar system.
Fragmentary Order is a hardcore sci-fi multiplayer FPS officially announced on April 12, 2026, by developer Rant Gaming and publisher Cor3. The project is led by Nikita Buyanov, the creator of Escape from Tarkov, and was revealed alongside a seven-minute CGI lore trailer, a full website launch at COR3.GG, and months of ARG (Alternate Reality Game) buildup. No release date has been confirmed, but a first alpha prototype is targeting late 2026 on PC.
What Is Fragmentary Order About?
The game is set in 2251, in a dystopian future where humanity narrowly avoided total destruction in the early 21st century. A powerful organization called the Core united the world’s governments, ended famine and conventional warfare, then spearheaded the colonization of the solar system. Over time, Core’s grip weakened, and new alliances emerged across Mars, Saturn’s orbital habitats, and ring worlds, each fighting for dominance in a fractured corporate system.
Players take on the role of a “RepEnt” (Replicated Entity), a remotely operated clone controlled from a secure bunker. Your physical body stays safe while your clone is deployed into lethal combat zones. Losing a clone and its gear means a significant financial hit, making every operation a calculated risk. The core gameplay loop mirrors extraction shooter fundamentals: infiltrate contested areas, complete objectives, secure resources, and extract alive.
How Is Nikita Buyanov Involved?
Buyanov confirmed on social media that he founded Rant Gaming as a separate company with developers from around the world. “Frago (Fragmentary Order) is being developed by a separate company that I created, full of great people around the globe,” he stated. He also reassured the Tarkov community directly: “Escape from Tarkov is my life, and I’m continuing working on it too with my BSG (Battlestate Games) family no matter what. Tarkov for life.”
His personal motivation is clear. Buyanov explained: “I always dreamed of making a proper hard sci-fi. It had been in my head for years, to bring life to a new universe with a predicting-the-future approach. And, of course, add something to the genre as I did with Tarkov.” Despite Fragmentary Order sharing visible DNA with Tarkov in its music, animation style, and website design, Buyanov insists the two projects are completely separate. Rant Gaming operates independently from Battlestate Games, and Fragmentary Order is not set in the Tarkov universe.
What Gameplay Features Have Been Confirmed?
Based on the official website descriptions and community breakdowns from PC Gamer, Inven Global, and mxdwn, Fragmentary Order positions itself as a tactical combat simulator with extraction shooter mechanics. Confirmed features include:
- Detailed weapon handling and character control systems
- A complex health system that affects performance
- Tactical decision-making prioritized over twitch reflexes
- Large maps with multiple strategic approaches
- Vehicles and unmanned units for mobility and firepower
- Deep weapon and gear customization
- Biotech character modifications and personal station upgrades
- Faction relationships and corporate reputation systems
Mars is highlighted as a major conflict zone: partially terraformed, scarred by failed colonization, and contested by corporations and the rebel Prime Control Forces (PCF). The game also references orbital stations and space-based environments. Interestingly, when a fan asked Buyanov directly whether Fragmentary Order would be an extraction shooter, he replied cryptically: “Why do you think it will be an extraction shooter?” However, as PC Gamer noted, the premise of “fighting it out on an intergalactic stage to bring back info and precious items” makes extraction mechanics the most logical fit.
How Does the ARG and Early Access System Work?
Rant Gaming launched the “Prime Batch Founders Program” through the COR3.GG website. This is an ARG where players complete quests, explore hidden lore, build resource pipelines, and climb a rank system to earn priority access to the game. There are five ranks:
- Forerunner: Unique profile frame, guaranteed early access, lifetime nickname reservation, and exclusive title
- The Pillar: High priority early access and personal badge
- Torchbearer: Elevated priority for early access
- Pathfinder: Enhanced priority for early access
- Foundation: Low priority early access and a personal badge
Daily tasks, system research, and credit accumulation drive progression. According to multiple sources, only the most engaged players will make it into the first deployment wave. The ARG currently features lore puzzles and log-integrity checks that take just minutes to complete but build standing over time.
Where Does This Fit in the 2026 Extraction Shooter Landscape?
Fragmentary Order enters a crowded field. Bungie’s Marathon launched on March 5, 2026, at $40 across PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, delivering a hero-shooter-meets-extraction-shooter formula. Embark Studios’ ARC Raiders has been growing steadily since its October 2025 launch, with five maps and regular content updates planned through 2026. PUBG: Black Budget and Hunger are also targeting 2026 early access releases. The extraction shooter genre is far from saturated, though: each title carves out a distinct identity, from ARC Raiders’ PvPvE survival focus to Marathon’s competitive runner-class system.
Fragmentary Order’s differentiator is clear: it is built by the person who essentially invented the extraction shooter genre. Escape from Tarkov hit its 1.0 release in November 2025, and Battlestate Games has published a 2026 roadmap featuring DLSS 4.5 support in Q1, plus a new boss character and large-scale event in Q2. The fact that Buyanov is running both projects simultaneously signals ambition rather than abandonment.
What Has the Community Reaction Been?
The seven-minute CGI trailer was widely praised for its production quality, with multiple content creators calling it “AAA-level.” However, the absence of any real gameplay footage drew sharp criticism on Reddit’s r/Games and r/pcgaming communities. Some users pointed out that the sci-fi extraction shooter space is getting crowded, with Marathon and ARC Raiders already live.
When fans asked about preorders, Rant Gaming responded: “We appreciate the eagerness, but let’s not jump ahead of ourselves.” This confirms the game is still in early development. The Escapist Magazine, PC Gamer, and Inven Global all covered the announcement, reflecting significant media interest despite the early stage.
For Tarkov players interested in the extraction shooter genre, GamerMarkt offers a dedicated Escape from Tarkov account marketplace for secure buying and selling while we wait for Fragmentary Order to take shape.
What We Still Do Not Know
Several critical details remain unconfirmed. There is no official release date beyond a vague late 2026 alpha target. Pricing and business model have not been disclosed. Console plans are unannounced, with only PC confirmed so far. The exact relationship between the CGI trailer’s vision and actual in-engine gameplay is unknown, and no gameplay footage has been shown publicly.
Whether Fragmentary Order will include traditional extraction mechanics, a flea-market-style economy, or something entirely new is still up for debate, especially given Buyanov’s coy response about the extraction shooter label. What is certain is that the project carries significant pedigree and considerable community attention heading into the second half of 2026.
Key Questions Players Are Asking
When does Fragmentary Order release?
No confirmed date. The first alpha prototype is targeting late 2026 on PC. A full launch timeline has not been shared.
Is Fragmentary Order free to play?
The pricing model has not been announced. Details are expected closer to the alpha testing phase.
Is it connected to Escape from Tarkov’s universe?
No. Buyanov explicitly stated that Fragmentary Order “is not related to BSG or Tarkov.” It is set in its own original sci-fi universe, though the design philosophy clearly draws from the same hardcore extraction shooter roots.
What platforms will it launch on?
Only PC has been confirmed. Console versions have not been announced or ruled out.
How can I get early access?
Visit COR3.GG and participate in the ARG Founders Program. Complete daily tasks, explore lore, and climb the five-tier rank system to earn priority access to the earliest testing phases.
