#FuckTheWar: Recreation studios pledge assist for Ukraine as Russian invasion continues

Earlier at this time, Stalker studio GSC Recreation World issued an announcement on social media decrying the “inhuman cruelty” of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the place it’s primarily based, and referred to as for worldwide assist for the nation’s armed forces. “Our nation awoke with the sounds of explosions and weapons hearth, however is able to defend its freedom and independence, for it stays robust and prepared for something,” it wrote. “The longer term is unknown, however we hope for the perfect, are ever certain of our armed forces and our perception in Ukraine.”
Since then, as Russian forces proceed to push into Ukraine, different studios have shared their assist for the nation. Frogwares, additionally primarily based within the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, tweeted, “We are able to’t simply stand by. Russia assaults our homeland and denies the sovereignty of Ukraine. We try to remain protected, however that is battle, there are not any two methods about it. We name on everybody to drive Putin to withdraw from our lands.”
We’re a peaceable nation, and in all of the years since we gained our independence, we’ve by no means attacked or threatened anybody.Due to this example, our work might be impacted and our lives might be destroyed.February 24, 2022
“We’re a peaceable nation, and in all of the years since we gained our independence, we’ve by no means attacked or threatened anybody. Due to this example, our work might be impacted and our lives might be destroyed.”
The developer of the city-building recreation Ostriv shared considerably extra pointed thoughts: “Awakened at this time at 5 am to the sounds of Russian shelling. These fucking ‘peacekeepers,’” the studio wrote, referring to the language Russian president Vladimir Putin used when he ordered forces into components of jap Ukraine on Tuesday.
Survarium studio Vostok Video games, one other Kyiv-based developer, posted a picture of the Ukrainian flag and the hashtag #StandWithUkraine.
“As issues stand we’re protected,” the studio tweeted. “We proceed our work remotely for the second and can react to the scenario, relying on the way it develops.”
Builders and publishers from different components of the world are additionally taking a stance towards Russian aggression. Polish developer 11 Bit Studios, the creator of the acclaimed anti-war recreation This Struggle of Mine, pledged to donate all earnings from gross sales of the sport over the subsequent week, throughout all shops and platforms, to the Ukrainian Pink Cross.
“At this time Russian navy forces attacked the free nation of Ukraine—our neighbors. As a Polish recreation studio and creators of the globally acknowledged anti-war recreation This Struggle of Mine—one which immediately speaks in regards to the struggling and distress of civilians who’re affected by battle—we’d prefer to hereby announce our firm assertion: We stand towards the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” 11 Bit Studios wrote, utilizing the #FuckTheWar hashtag.
“Let this message resonate with every little thing you understand about this battle and the way battle kills folks, devastates their lives and houses. Allow us to—gamers and builders collectively—do every little thing we will to assist victims of battle in Ukraine.”
Alongside the general public message, 11 Bit CEO Przemyslaw Marszal despatched a robust, private entreaty to studio staff, which was shared with PC Gamer:
“I’m writing to you in a second of my nice private anger and disappointment. Russian politics determined to invade Ukraine. One nation has invaded one other. And civilians, regular folks will bear the results. We, because the crew that created the antiwar This Struggle of Mine, as a crew consisting of individuals with empathy and goodwill, it doesn’t matter what the nationality, should assist.”
Fellow Polish Studios All-In Video games, The Farm 51, and PolyAmorous Video games, the makers of Chernobylite and Paradise Misplaced, additionally pledge one week’s gross sales of each video games to the Ukrainian Pink Cross.
Becoming a member of our mates at @11bitstudios, we additionally wish to assist the folks of Ukraine on this troublesome time. pic.twitter.com/Rx64tfw92LFebruary 25, 2022
Alex Nichiporchik, CEO of indie writer TinyBuild, stated the corporate is taking steps to make sure the well-being of its “crew members and companions” in Ukraine. TinyBuild is almost all stakeholder in Secret Neighbor developer Hologryph, primarily based in Lviv.
“We have now a crew of robust leads coordinating efforts of getting folks to security. Logistics, finance, housing,” Nichiporchik tweeted. “The very best factor to do is preserve a cool head, suppose pragmatic, and anticipate the scenario. No person will get left behind.”
CD Projekt has additionally spoken out towards Russian aggression, saying the invasion of Ukraine “left us shocked and outraged.” The studio has pledged to donate 1 million PLN ($243,000) to help group PAH, which is making ready to offer humanitarian assist to Ukrainians pressured to flee their houses.
We can not stay detached within the face of such injustice and we ask all people to affix in and assist in any method you’ll be able to. Collectively we will make an enormous distinction! (2/2)February 25, 2022
“We can not stay detached within the face of such injustice and we ask all people to affix in and assist in any method you’ll be able to,” CD Projekt stated. “Collectively we will make an enormous distinction!”
Separate from that effort, GOG—which is a part of the CD Projekt Group—promised to donate its share of the earnings from gross sales of This Struggle of Mine and the grand technique recreation Slipways to help businesses. Slipways developer Beetlewing joined 11 Bit Studios in pledging to donate 100% of earnings earned from the sport over the subsequent week to the Polish Pink Cross’ “Assist Ukraine Fund.”
Following Beetlewing’s choice, we’ll be donating all earnings from our shares of the sale of @SlipwaysGame to the “Assist Ukraine fund” of the Polish Pink Cross as effectively. https://t.co/6C6Bsm7B69February 25, 2022
Future 2 studio Bungie has additionally pledged to donate all proceeds raised within the first 48 hours of its Game2Give drive to humanitarian help efforts.
Our hearts are with our mates and households affected by the occasions in Ukraine.We might be donating 100% of the proceeds of the primary 48 hours of our Game2Give drive to humanitarian help efforts in response to ongoing battle.February 25, 2022
Indie studio Amanita Design, primarily based within the Czech Republic, condemned the invasion and stated it should donate all of next week’s earnings from Machinarium, Chuchel, and Creaks to Czech help company PIN.
Metro studio 4A Video games, which relocated its headquarters to Malta in 2014 following Russia’s preliminary incursion into Ukraine, apologized for the delay in responding to the invasion, saying it “wanted time to maintain our households and one another.”
“There are not any easy phrases to convey the horrors that occur in Ukraine at this very second, within the nation that’s residence to many people,” the studio stated. “None of us has ever thought that the world of the twenty first century can get to the borderline past which our recreation eventualities begin resembling actuality. We’re neither politicians nor superheroes—we’re recreation builders. Our massive household contains folks from everywhere in the world, and all of us need only one factor—for the horrors of battle to not ever get away of our imaginary worlds.
“However the battle has already knocked on our doorways. And now we will solely do one factor—assist Ukraine and one another. We bow to the braveness of the Males and Girls of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who at the moment defend the nation.”
Warframe studio Digital Extremes has donated $100,000 to humanitarian help efforts in Ukraine by way of the Canadian Pink Cross, and invited its followers to assist the hassle as effectively. The federal government of Canada will match particular person donations to the Pink Cross for help in Ukraine as much as a complete of $10 million.
Our hearts are with the folks of Ukraine and people affected by this unnecessary violence.We have now donated $100,000 to the Canadian Pink Cross to help in humanitarian help efforts in Ukraine. Collectively we will make a distinction: https://t.co/v4GGbdTpAcFebruary 25, 2022
Fellow Canadian studio Hinterland Video games, the maker of The Lengthy Darkish, made a $125,000 donation to the Ukrainian Pink Cross, “to offer emergency providers and first help, in addition to to offer clothes, meals, and shelter for civilians. Do not forget that kids are additionally the victims of this unprovoked assault.”
Hinterland stands in assist of #Ukraine and the victims of an unprovoked battle.To make your individual donation: https://t.co/[email protected] @Ukraine pic.twitter.com/1xh83GPH5wFebruary 25, 2022
Completely Correct Battle Simulator developer Landfall Video games stated it’s engaged on a program to assist recreation builders who’re trying to flee Ukraine, together with “coordinating co-travel, protected areas in neighboring international locations, monetary assist, visa data, and no matter else we may help with.”
We’re wanting into coordinating co-travel, protected areas in neighboring international locations, monetary assist, visa data, and no matter else we may help with.February 25, 2022
In a brand new assertion despatched to PC Gamer, Ubisoft stated that after monitoring the scenario in Ukraine for the previous few months, it suggested its staff to “take shelter in a spot they take into account protected” final week. It’s offering “assist and help” to its groups in Ukraine, together with funding for journey and relocation, advance wage funds, housing in neighboring international locations, and hotlines to reply questions and tackle wants.
“We are going to proceed to adapt and reinforce our help because the scenario evolves,” Ubisoft stated.