MMO shooter with STALKER vibes shows new gameplay – beta launch coming soon

PIONER is a post-apocalyptic open-world MMO that combines shooter gameplay with deep RPG elements. The game is being developed by GFAGAMES, a studio founded in 2021. According to Russian sources, the team includes developers who previously worked on acclaimed titles such as S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, Atomic Heart, Metro Exodus, The Elder Scrolls Online and Warhammer: Space Marine.

Set on a mysterious island filled with Soviet-style ruins, strange anomalies and sci-fi elements, PIONER drops players into a hostile world where survival is key. You’ll explore hazardous zones, face off against both PvE and PvP enemies, and interact with multiple factions to shape your path. The game also features the Shadowlands, a high-risk extraction mode where valuable loot awaits. On top of that, there are clan raids, dynamic PvP encounters, and side activities like fishing and gambling to break up the action.

Instead of using a traditional leveling system, PIONER focuses on resource-driven progression. Players gather materials to upgrade and customize their weapons, while also managing core survival needs like hunger and sleep. According to the developers, the game world will evolve over time, featuring a dynamic environment spread across a planned map of more than 19 square miles.

New gameplay impressions and beta announcement

On May 26, the developers released a new trailer that clearly draws inspiration from games like S.T.A.L.K.E.R., Metro Exodus and Escape from Tarkov. The 1:16-minute video ends with a teaser promising “Open Beta news soon,” suggesting that players might get their hands on the beta later this summer.