As a seasoned gamer who has traversed countless virtual worlds, I can say that the real-life struggle of GSC Game World during the Russian invasion of Ukraine was no game, but a harrowing tale of courage and resilience. The documentary “War Game: The Making of Stalker 2” serves as a poignant reminder of the extraordinary lengths people will go to protect their loved ones and their passion projects.
On February 24, 2022, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine plunged the nation into disarray. Cities across Ukraine were targeted with missile attacks, and Russian troops crossed their borders. For employees at Ukrainian video game developer GSC Game World, it was a distressing period–they faced a tough choice: either leave the conflict zone and the country, or remain to offer aid and potentially even join the resistance.
Behind-the-Scenes: Crafting Stalker 2 Amidst Conflict delves into the journey of creating Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, both prior to and during the Russian invasion. This documentary offers a vivid portrayal of the challenging and sometimes intense experiences that the studio’s 300 team members encountered. As developers dedicated themselves to finishing a game close to many hearts–Stalker: Shadow of Chornobyl in 2008, which enjoyed both commercial and critical acclaim, as well as being a point of Ukrainian pride–they found themselves navigating rising tensions as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalated in 2022.
The standout aspect of the 90-minute documentary is its focus on the amazing, frequently heroic deeds of the team at GSC Game World. As the circumstances became increasingly concerning, GSC executive producer Mariia Grygorovich persuaded her husband, CEO Ievgen Grygorovich, that the studio had to ensure it could evacuate its staff and their families from Kiev, where the studio was located. Under Mariia’s leadership, GSC arranged buses that were available 24 hours a day to transport developers westward, toward Ukraine’s borders with NATO nations.
At last, GSC chose to depart on a Sunday morning, accompanying 187 developers and their families towards the west. This action turned out to be farsighted, as the invasion began just a few days afterwards. Thanks to this forward-thinking, GSC managed to help those developers and their families cross the border into Hungary, eventually reaching Prague.
As a devoted viewer, I can empathize deeply with those featured in the documentary, who grappled with the anguish of adversity, the torment of self-doubt over their decision to depart, and the heartache stemming from concern for their loved ones still residing in Ukraine.
Despite having to start anew with the studio, GSC persisted in progressing with Stalker 2 and maintained employment for its developers even amidst the disruption.
Even more remarkable are the tales of the 139 developers who decided not to depart Ukraine along with their studio, many of whom enlisted in Ukraine’s military to combat the invasion or offer aid to fellow civilians. Others who stayed in Ukraine managed to continue working on Stalker 2 despite the circumstances.
As a passionate viewer, I’d highly recommend checking out a gripping documentary that offers an intimate glimpse into Ukraine’s challenging times and the resilience demonstrated by both its people and GSC’s creators amidst conflict. You can catch this enlightening piece today on the Xbox YouTube channel and the GSC Game World YouTube channel.
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2024-10-03 16:39