Game developers across Ukraine are preparing for the worst on Tuesday as Russia’s brinksmany continues on the country’s eastern border. In the past week, Polygon has reached more than a dozen teams in this country. Many say they are making contingency plans to protect their employees. Others hope to remind the world that they have been living with war not for hours or days, but for eight long years.
In 2014, after weeks of protests in Kiev and across Ukraine, more than 100 Ukrainians died in the so-called Maidan revolution. As a result, Ukraine’s lawmakers voted to remove the country’s pro-Russian president, an event flagged by Russian President Vladimir Putin an illegal coup. Later, as a new regime was established, Putin annexed the eastern province of Crimea. The result was a protracted conflict across the region, with many skirmishes and small battles that began over almost a decade.
Tensions have escalated over the past month with more than 190,000 Russian soldiers Clusters along the entire border – also in Belarus in northern Ukraine.
“The current situation on the borders with Russia is tense, and we [have seen] There have been several provocations in recent days,” wrote Oleg Yavorsky, director of business development in Kyiv Vostok games, on Monday evening. “However, we should not forget that Ukraine has been in this state of aggression since 2014 by Russia and over 14,000 people [have been killed in that time]. Unfortunately, we’ve gotten used to that [living] in this state of danger.”
Yavorsky called his team and families the company’s most valuable resource and said a plan has already been made for a possible move. Lots of other gaming and tech companies do similar plans.
“We continue to work as usual (work is actually a nice distraction from the news),” wrote Yaroslav Singaevskiy, Lead Game Designer Red Strike, on Friday. “Everyday life in Kiev goes on, but in the shadow of what may be to come. Nobody is currently making long-term plans. Honestly, things get surreal sometimes. And we learn to appreciate everyday things more (like a peaceful family dinner).”
“The situation generally reminds me of 2014,” Singaevskiy continued. “There are many uncertainties, rumors and fakes. […] The main difference is the state of the Ukrainian army, which is now much more capable, trained and prepared thanks to eight years of war. The support from the west – especially in the last few weeks – is also crucial.”
Speaking as an individual rather than a representative of his company, Andrew Prokhorov, owner of 4A Games, remained hopeful but combative.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23264108/Vostok_Oleg_and_Lenin_MG_1042.jpg_exported_copy.jpg)
“I think everything will be fine,” Prokhorov told Polygon in an email late last week. He’s currently on personal hiatus from the company best known for the Metro series of first-person shooters. “Our army is ready [our] Nation is ready and when [a] sick old man [does decide] to enter, they are kicked out. Especially with the help of many dangerous toys that we got from [the] USA and other western countries. […] our spears, [and] sting, [are] greased, primed and awaiting metal lining.
“I hope for peace [to end] the situation,” he added, “but if something bad happens, victory will go to the good guys.”
Late Monday, President Putin again escalated tensions by recognizing the sovereignty of the breakaway Luhansk People’s Republic and the Donetsk People’s Republic — two Ukrainian territories that have been at the center of the conflict since 2014. Russian troops, including armored units, have since moved into the area to do what Russia calls a peacekeeping mission. The move has sparked an international outcry, including from members of the United Nations.
Polygon will continue to report on the evolving situation.
