Kazakhstan Investigates Spending on 242 Million Tenge Educational Game
Photo: steam
Kazakhstan’s security and financial investigation agencies are reviewing the development of Steppe Rider, an educational video game that cost the Ministry of Science and Higher Education almost 242 million tenge, Orda.kz reports.
Science and Higher Education Minister Sayasat Nurbek said the ministry had asked the National Security Committee’s Anti-Corruption Service and Astana’s Department of Economic Investigations to examine the project.
We initiated the review ourselves and sent requests to the KNB Anti-Corruption Service and the Department of Economic Investigations in Astana. Investigative measures are now underway,Nurbek said at a government briefing.
Depending on the findings, the case could lead to court proceedings or administrative action, the minister added.
From an RPG to a Runner
The project began in March 2025, when the ministry announced a tender for a game designed to teach Kazakh at the A1–A2 levels.
The technical specifications described a turn-based role-playing game with a storyline, quests, dialogue, historical locations, character progression and at least 12 hours of gameplay.
Almaty-based United Kingdom LLP won the contract for 239.8 million tenge. Business records indicated that the company had previously specialized in exhibitions and events rather than video game development. The total procurement was valued at 241.8 million tenge excluding VAT.
Steppe Rider was released in December 2025 on Steam, Google Play and the App Store. Instead of the promised RPG, it was presented as a runner in which players move forward, collect letters and answer language questions.
Users compared it to a simplified version of Subway Surfers and criticized its graphics, basic mechanics and use of AI-generated assets.
In January, the ministry’s Language Policy Committee said the game met the contract specifications. It attributed the cost to development for three platforms and continued technical support.
The committee also promised to improve the map, graphics and game mechanics and introduce a competitive mode.
The KNB and the Department of Economic Investigations are now examining whether the delivered game matched the contract and whether the spending was justified.
Original author: Ilya Astakhov
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