We’re digging into a fresh claim about a portable take on Escape from Tarkov that, if true, would be a major pivot for the franchise on mobile. According to Insider Gaming, in an exclusive exchange with Nikita Buyanov, Battlestate’s team is building a mobile experience that leans into extraction mechanics but from a very different perspective than the core game.
What Was Reported
Key Details
Nikita Buyanov allegedly described the upcoming handheld project as “like a Tarkov game; it’s an extraction game, with a look and feel like Tarkov’s.” Crucially, the mobile title is claimed to not be a straight first-person port — Buyanov allegedly said it’s a different perspective, “third-person, top-down.”
Per Insider Gaming, Buyanov also reportedly confirmed that the project is already active internally: “The mobile game is already going, we already have MVPs and everything, so I guess next year, we will announce it.”
The conversation allegedly placed this mobile build alongside other projects Buyanov is tied to. Fragmentary Order is said to be shaping up at his new company, Rant Gaming, with Battlestate still juggling work on the main Escape from Tarkov platform.
The Source & Credibility
Where This Info Comes From
All of the claims above are attributed to Insider Gaming, which relayed comments from Nikita Buyanov during what was described as an exclusive interview. Take this with a pinch of salt: while the quotes are specific and come from a named studio head, Insider Gaming is the only outlet cited for these details in the material we reviewed.
We’re not seeing accompanying visual proof or an official Battlestate Games post in the source material — so the timeline and the specifics should be considered alleged until Battlestate or Buyanov make a direct announcement. That said, the comments are fairly detailed about perspective, production status, and where the project sits among other company priorities.
What It Could Mean
Design And Audience Implications
If the claims are accurate, a top-down, third-person extraction format would push the Tarkov universe into a playstyle more commonly seen on mobile extraction and survival titles. That change of perspective could be an attempt to make the core Tarkov aesthetic and systems more approachable on phones, while keeping extraction as the core loop.
Practically speaking, the presence of MVPs suggests an early playable prototype exists internally. That doesn’t guarantee a public beta or foretell features, but it does indicate the project has moved beyond concept stage, per Insider Gaming.
There are internal Battlestate commitments in motion as well — the same reporting ties studio resources to other initiatives. Given Buyanov’s involvement at both Battlestate and Rant Gaming for Fragmentary Order, the mobile effort may have to coexist with ongoing priorities at the core Escape from Tarkov team. For those following Battlestate’s broader moves, our earlier coverage of the Tarkov’s Labs rumors and the Battlestate Chief debates around zombies shows how the studio is juggling multiple threads in the Tarkov universe.
Why This Matters
An alleged mobile extraction game in the Escape from Tarkov universe would represent a notable shift for Battlestate and for fans: a mobile-native Tarkov experience that isn’t a first-person translation. If true, it could broaden the franchise’s audience while testing how Tarkov’s core identity translates to a different viewpoint and control scheme.
That said, everything here is based on Insider Gaming’s reporting of Nikita Buyanov’s comments. We’re excited by the idea but remain cautious — the project is described as having MVPs and an intention to “announce it next year,” yet we don’t have direct confirmation from Battlestate in this material. We’ll keep tabs and will report any official news as it arrives.
For now, take these claims as a compelling hint at where the Tarkov universe might head on mobile — allegedly top-down, allegedly extraction-focused, and allegedly already under development.
