Lesta Games, the Russian game developer best known for owning the World of Tanks intellectual property, has announced work on a new high-profile online title built on Unreal Engine 5. The disclosure comes from Forbes, which has been tracking the studio’s latest strategic move as it expands beyond its well-known World of Tanks ecosystem.
The project is progressing inside Lesta Games’ Moscow studio, where a dedicated team is threading together the vision for this multiplayer endeavor. Reported budgets place the development window between 25 and 30 million dollars, a figure equivalent to roughly 2.2 to 2.7 billion rubles using the exchange rates available late in 2023. This financial outline underscores the studio’s ambitions to deliver a substantial, graphically advanced experience that leverages the capabilities of the newest engine technology in gameplay, rendering, and networked play.
Very little concrete information has been shared about the game’s core concept beyond the fact that it will depart from the tank-centric premise and pursue multiplayer multiplayer engagement. Boris Sinitsky, who serves as an operations director for the World of Tanks project, has indicated that the upcoming title will not center on tanks, signaling a broader thematic scope. It is also noted that this project marks Lesta Games’ first foray into Unreal Engine 5, reflecting a strategic shift toward cutting-edge production pipelines and modern visual fidelity.
At the moment, release timing remains undisclosed, with official timelines not yet announced. The studio’s participation in a large-scale online project signals a long-term commitment to online gaming, live operations, and ongoing content updates that aim to sustain player interest and engagement over time.
Beyond the new project, Lesta Games continues to develop and support a slate of online games including World of Tanks, World of Ships, and Tanks Blitz for both PC and mobile platforms. The studio has operated as an independent creator within Russia and Belarus since the latter part of the previous year, acquiring the rights to several existing titles following the separation of Wargaming’s regional business. While Wargaming continues to publish and operate the same titles outside Russia and Belarus under the original branding, Lesta Games remains the regional rights holder and developer for the titles within the Russian and Belarusian markets.
Historical context provides insight into the studio’s trajectory: the corporate arrangements reflect a broader industry pattern in which developers manage local versions and live services while international publishers maintain global distribution. Lesta Games’ strategy appears to be anchored in strong live-service capabilities, an emphasis on multiplayer ecosystems, and a push to demonstrate technical prowess through a flagship Unreal Engine 5 project that could redefine player expectations in the region.
In related news, the ecosystem around Losventura Studios and similar studios illustrates a broader shift toward cloud-assisted infrastructure, cross-platform progression, and enhanced visual storytelling without sacrificing performance. For players and investors watching the space, Lesta’s move signals a willingness to experiment with new genres and mechanics while preserving the long-standing fan base built around the World of Tanks franchise and its related properties. The timing of the reveal aligns with a period of renewed interest in multiplayer live-service models, particularly those that blend accessible gameplay with high-end production values.
As the project evolves, observers will be watching for concrete milestones such as first gameplay footage, alpha and beta test windows, and a clearer articulation of the multiplayer experience that distinguishes this title from other online offerings. The project’s success will likely hinge on how well Lesta Games can translate the Unreal Engine 5 potential into smooth networked play, balanced progression systems, and ongoing content streams that keep players returning. The studio’s track record in supporting World of Tanks and related titles provides a foundational audience that could be mobilized for a fresh, ambitious online experience on a modern engine platform. Attribution for this information rests with Forbes, which has reported on the studio’s strategic pivot and financial commitments as part of a broader coverage of the company’s development roadmap.