Residents of Buryatia Are Building a Digital Twin of Ulan-Ude
Enthusiasts in Buryatia are working with the regional capital’s administration to develop a game called CityBot. Experts believe the format could get more residents involved in local projects. The app is scheduled to launch in November 2026.
The project has quite an ambitious goal: to blur the line between the real world and the virtual one. Players will build and develop a digital twin of Ulan-Ude, turning routine everyday activities into in-game progress.
A City That Looks Like the Real Thing
The virtual city recreates some of Ulan-Ude’s best-known landmarks, including its giant Lenin head, the city administration building, and the circus. It also features moving cars, a traditional Buryat yurt, and open plots where players can build their own structures.
The mechanics are simple: after shopping at a store, users scan the QR code on their receipt to earn in-game resources. They can then invest those resources in developing the virtual version of Ulan-Ude, including building housing and opening new public spaces.
The developers say the platform is designed as a digital meeting place where local government, businesses, and residents can interact. Businesses will be able to use the game’s features to attract customers, while city officials and civic organizations can use it to bring residents into local projects.
Another part of the app is a guide to Buryatia’s cultural heritage. It will introduce users to the republic’s history, notable figures, and the traditions and customs of its people.
“The game has one key mechanic: You log in and see our city, Ulan-Ude. You can build structures, but you need energy to do that. You earn energy by going to stores, paying for goods, getting a receipt, and scanning its QR code. Each receipt gives you the resources you need to build,” says Egor Belskikh, technical director of CityBot.
The game could eventually bring in commercial partners, giving players a chance to earn prizes and discounts for their achievements. Ulan-Ude officials hope the app’s game features will also encourage residents to take part in civic initiatives and projects to improve the urban environment.
Mikhail Pavlov, deputy head of the Ulan-Ude administration for digitalization, explained how the app could work as a useful everyday service as well as a game: “For ordinary residents, the convenience is that they can find all kinds of information in one place. As parents, we sometimes have a day off and want to take the kids somewhere. Instead of searching across multiple services and websites, we can use the single portal to find an interesting activity for that day.”
The Gamification of Civic Life and a New Market
Getting people interested and attracting customers is becoming more difficult every year. One emerging tool is gamification. More companies are using game mechanics to capture consumers’ attention, and now city administrations are exploring them as a way to engage with residents and shape public participation.
The use of game mechanics in services such as loyalty programs is expected to grow by about 20 percent annually. Experts predict that the global market for gamification will approach 94 billion rubles by the end of the decade.
Multiple Experiences in a Single App
CityBot is a regional digital project that brings together mobile gaming, city services, loyalty programs, and cultural tourism. Its potential distinguishing feature is the combination of several experiences in one app: users develop a virtual city, interact with local businesses, and explore content about Buryatia’s history and culture.
If the launch is successful, the platform could expand in several directions. One possibility is to add more features typically found in city apps. Receipt scanning could become the foundation of a loyalty program, allowing businesses to encourage repeat purchases, attract customers, and promote products through in-game challenges. The project could also grow by adding tourist routes and cultural activities.
The region is also investing in the talent needed to support projects like this over the long term. Buryatia has announced plans to train specialists in computer game development, augmented reality, and virtual reality. A workshop is being established at the Republican Multilevel College, with equipment including computers and VR headsets costing 7.6 million rubles. The curriculum will include programming, 3D modeling, and game development. The training is intended to build a local talent pool for future projects in the gaming industry.
