ASU Student Awarded 1 Million Ruble Grant to Develop Innovative Immersive Game ‘Dashing Gambit’

A student at the Institute of Exact Sciences and Digital Technologies at Adyghe State University has won the Student Startup competition as part of the federal project "Technologies" within the national initiative "Efficient and Competitive Economy." The awarded grant amounted to 1 million rubles. The young developer's project, a multiplayer video game titled "Dashing Gambit," was recognized as one of the top entries in the Creative Industries category.

The game features an innovative blend of classic chess logic, survival elements, and free-form physical interactions set within a Slavic folklore environment. The action unfolds in a stylized Russian izba, where players must not only strategize on the board but also perform tasks such as maintaining a fire in the fireplace, interacting with household items, and encountering the intervention of a mystical AI character—the Domovoy.

Once completed, the game will be ready for release on leading digital platforms, including VK Play and Steam. Its development leverages technological advancements gained through the team's prior research and practical work conducted as part of the ASU Student Research Team Competition (SRTC).

According to the developers' estimates, the game's potential audience within the first year after launch could range from 100,000 to 300,000 active users. It is anticipated to enter the indie genre, combining deep strategic gameplay with elements of chaotic cooperative interaction and psychological thriller.

The project also serves an educational purpose: through compelling visual imagery, authentic objects, and musical accompaniment, it aims to convey the national cultural code. The technological solutions developed during this project can be adapted into separate libraries for use in other educational or gaming initiatives.

The "Student Startup" program is implemented by the Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises in Science and Technology, as part of the federal project "University Technological Entrepreneurship Platform." Its goal is to support university students in transforming their scientific and technical ideas into viable businesses. Winners of the competition receive grants of up to 1 million rubles for a period of up to 12 months, during which they are expected to develop their product, establish a legal entity, and register intellectual property rights.

The competitive selection process encompasses several thematic areas, including digital technologies, biomedicine, new materials, and creative industries. Applications are accepted electronically through the automated "Fund M" system. When evaluating projects, experts consider the novelty of the solution, commercialization potential, team qualifications, and the feasibility of the project timeline.

Given Russia's strategic focus on achieving technological leadership, as outlined in the Priority 2030 program, the development of technological entrepreneurship has become a key priority for the university. The ASU Institute of Exact Sciences and Digital Technologies is conducting a comprehensive series of activities under the "Developing Techpreed" project. This achievement reflects our dedicated efforts, including support for student initiatives. The process of conceptualizing, preparing, and defending the student application was overseen by technological entrepreneurship expert Elena Bezglasnaya, for which we are extremely grateful,” stated Victoria Buchatskaya, Director of the ASU Institute of Exact Sciences and Digital Technologies.