Russian studio "Iskra" will release the demo version of the game "Doroga Zhizni" on May 19, 2026. The project is dedicated to the drivers of the legendary "polutorok" trucks, who transported goods along the ice road across Lake Ladoga during the siege of Leningrad. The full release of the game is scheduled for early autumn.
Project pages have already appeared on VK Play and Steam. The game can be added to favorites and the first materials can be reviewed.
"Doroga Zhizni" is a narrative truck driver simulator set in the Great Patriotic War. In the demo version, players will be able to complete a mission lasting about 30–50 minutes – the first trip along the ice road.
Behind the wheel of a GAZ-AA, you will have to monitor the condition of the car, make your way through a blizzard, bypass ice holes, and overcome ice irregularities. During the mission, the game will present moral choices: stop and help others or continue on your way, understanding that every cargo can save someone's life in besieged Leningrad.
The authors emphasize that they used archival materials and eyewitness accounts when creating the project. Some characters are based on real people. For example, the game will feature photojournalist Boris – his image is inspired by Soviet photographer Boris Kudoyarov, who photographed the work of the Road of Life during the siege.
The developers call the game a story about duty, overcoming, and choice in extreme conditions. The project is being created with the support of the Internet Development Institute (IRI) and will be distributed free of charge.
After the demo release, the studio plans to collect player feedback through VK Play and Steam to refine the game before its full release.
The Road of Life began operating on November 22, 1941, and became the only supply line for besieged Leningrad. Food, fuel, and ammunition were delivered to the city along the ice road, and residents, wounded, and industrial equipment were evacuated back. In the first winter alone, more than 360 thousand tons of cargo were delivered to Leningrad across Ladoga, and about 550 thousand people were evacuated.
Trailer for the game "Doroga Zhizni"