The Russian studio "Iskra" timed the launch of pages for its new game "Doroga Zhizni" on VK Play and Steam to coincide with the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The developers announced that a demo version of the project will be available on May 19, with the full release scheduled for early autumn. The game will be available completely free of charge.
"Doroga Zhizni" is a story-driven game dedicated to the drivers of GAZ-AA trucks who worked on the ice road during the Siege of Leningrad. The first materials and details about the key mechanics have already been published on the project's pages.
The authors emphasize that the main focus is not on action, but on atmosphere, human stories, and a sense of responsibility. When creating the project, the team relied on archival documents and eyewitness accounts. Some characters are based on real people. For example, in one of the missions, photojournalist Boris will appear – a character inspired by the Soviet photographer Boris Kudoyarov. In the story, he documents life on the Road of Life, and the player can help him find the best spots for shooting.
In the demo, players will be offered the first mission, lasting about 30–50 minutes. It will tell the story of the hero's first trip along the famous ice road. Users will have to control a "polutorka" (half-truck), monitor the technical condition of the vehicle, and overcome the dangers of the route – snowstorms, cracks in the ice, and open water. During the trip, difficult decisions will have to be made: help other members of the convoy or continue the journey to deliver the cargo to the besieged city on time.
Initially, the development was carried out by a team of five people, but over time the team grew to about twenty specialists. After the demo's release, the creators intend to actively collect audience feedback through Steam, VK Play, and in-game tools to take into account players' wishes before the final release.
The project is being created with the support of the Internet Development Institute (IRI).