When the foundations of the Atomic Heart universe had only just been outlined, Dr. Alexey Lebedev already existed in script drafts. At first, he was just a name in the documents: a mathematician and engineer who'd been part of Facility 3826's computing technology development. His appearance was connected to the creation of items that marked the start of the technological revolution: Kollektiv 1.0, the first robots, the Radio of the Future, and the system of hubs.
But Lebedev remained behind the scenes for a long time. Unlike Sechenov, the public face of the project, he was imagined as a scientist who worked in the shadows, a man driven purely by science itself.
As the plot developed, it quickly became clear that such an important character could not remain just lines of text in the documents. As early as the development of the first DLC, Annihilation Instinct, which was devoted to NORA, the team knew that the machine's creator emerging from the shadows was a logical and necessary step. Particularly observant players could tell from written messages in the main game that Lebedev had always played a key role in the Facility's story, though the scientist deliberately avoided publicity. Additionally, during the early stages of development, the appearance of other academics of Sechenov's circle, such as Vavilov, Chelomey, and Filimonenko, had been considered.
Lebedev was intended to contrast with Sechenov, the face of Facility 3826. While Lebedev looked older, he was actually three years younger than Dr. Sechenov, according to the plot. This difference can be explained not just by lifestyle disparities, but also by the contrast in their outlooks: Sechenov had most likely been first in line for the rejuvenating polymeric injections, while Lebedev had not subjected himself to such procedures. The scientist's appearance came together like a mosaic portrait. Not young, but still energetic, agile, and a bit restless—a hero of Soviet scientific fantasy of sorts, full of zeal and belief in progress. All these aspects were reflected in his appearance and nature. It's no accident that Lebedev is almost always depicted in a lab coat. It's not just clothing to him, but rather a symbol of his natural environment. He only feels free among his instruments, blueprints, and experiments.
Lebedev is one of those characters whose personality is revealed not through lengthy dialogue, but through details and the atmosphere. Interaction with him in the game is limited to brief meetings, so particular care had to be put into every conversation. His words don't just advance the story; they convey the scientist's identity.
Lebedev's lab was created to be the opposite of the cold, industrial workshops of Facility 3826. Everything in it exudes comfort, from the tea on his desk to the piles of blueprints and quiet hum of the instruments. His humanity is reflected in these small details, his almost paternal relationship with his robots.
Special mention must be made of his assistant, the robot Terentiy (model RAF-9). Lebedev gave him not just a name but also firmware that allows him to act a bit more "human." In one scene, Terentiy tries to give Lebedev tea and chocolate, but no matter how hard he tries, he can't hold the tray because of the way his hands are constructed. This short episode added humor and warmth and subtly highlighted another of Lebedev's traits: a weakness for sweets.
Lebedev's significance will continue to grow as the story of the universe develops. He will play a more overt role in DLC 4, and he'll help P-3 and Blesna as well. Players can also encounter the scientist in the multiplayer RPG-shooter The CUBE, where he participates in studying the eponymous mysterious object.
For now, we can only speculate on how far Lebedev's own discoveries will lead him...