When February 24, 2022, rolled around and Russia made its move into Ukraine, everything turned upside down.
GSC Game World, a game developer in Ukraine, faced an intense decision: Should they pack up and escape the conflict, or stay put to help and possibly even fight? This tough situation forms the backdrop of “War Game: The Making of Stalker 2”, a documentary that dives into the creation of Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl. The film paints a vivid picture of the team’s journey during these challenging times, capturing the emotional rollercoaster of its 300 members as they tried to finish a game they deeply cared about. It’s important to note that their previous game, Stalker: Shadow of Chornobyl, was both a big hit and a source of national pride for Ukraine.
One standout moment in the documentary is about the bravery and quick thinking of GSC Game World’s executive producer, Mariia Grygorovich. She persuaded her husband, the CEO Ievgen Grygorovich, that they needed a solid escape plan. With Mariia’s guidance, buses were put on standby 24/7 to whisk the team and their families away from Kiev to safer grounds near NATO countries’ borders.
Their instinct to leave paid off when, one Sunday morning, they set off with 187 developers and their families, heading west just days before the invasion escalated. Because of their swift actions, these families eventually found safety in Hungary and then Prague.
People often wonder if they made the right choice.
Though the journey was filled with doubt and worry about loved ones left behind, GSC was able to rebuild and continue working on Stalker 2, keeping their team employed despite the upheaval. Meanwhile, a courageous 139 developers chose to stay in Ukraine, joining the armed forces or helping civilians, while still finding ways to contribute to the game.
This documentary is a compelling glimpse into Ukraine’s struggles and the tenacity of its people and developers amid war. It’s available to watch on the Xbox YouTube channel and the GSC Game World YouTube channel.
