Kiara Gonzalez February 25th, 2022 - 8:28 PM
Amid the current Russia and Ukraine War, many members within the video game industry reacted to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by releasing official statements of support for Ukraine on Twitter. Yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war on Ukraine after launching a “special military operation” Thursday morning to “demilitarize” the country. Shortly after Putin’s declaration, there were reports of explosions around Ukrainian cities such as Kharkiv, Odesa, Mariupol, and the country’s capital. On Friday morning, Russia invaded Ukraine, launching airstrikes at Kyiv and seizing the Chernobyl nuclear plant. Since the fall of the USSR, Russia has denied Ukraine’s sovereignty, creating tension between the two countries.
In response to the recent events, numerous Ukrainian game developers have urged the gaming industry to help support Ukraine and the Armed Forces of Ukraine as they fight back against Russia. GSC Game World, the developer of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R franchise, called for support across the gaming industry in their statement yesterday, “The Russian Federation has declared war on Ukraine. The future is unknown, but we are sure of our Armed Forces and country. We ask all: do not stand aside and help those in need.” The statement, which was released on both the studio’s and official S.T.A.L.K.E.R’s Twitter accounts, also included a bank account number for a special aid account created by the National Bank of Ukraine to raise funds for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Russian Federation has declared war on Ukraine.
The future is unknown, but we are sure of our Armed Forces and country.
We ask all: do not stand aside and help those in need.Support the Armed Forces of Ukraine:
UA843000010000000047330992708 pic.twitter.com/XoEFDtgKiW— GSC Game World (@GSC_GW) February 24, 2022
Kyiv-based game studio 4A Games, the developer of the Metro franchise, also shared support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in their statement on Twitter. The studio expressed concern about the war, stating, “The war has already knocked on our doors. And now we can only do one thing – support Ukraine and each other.”
— 4A Games (@4AGames) February 25, 2022
Fear The Wolves developer Vostok Games, based in Kyiv, issued an official statement on Twitter supporting the Ukrainian army. They also shared that “As things stand we are safe. We continue our work remotely for the moment and will react to the situation, depending on how it develops.”
Other developers expressed their reactions and feelings regarding Russia’s invasion. Sherlock Holmes series developer Frogwares, who’s based in Kyiv, released an official statement on Twitter supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty, “We can’t just stand by. Russia attacks our homeland and denies the sovereignty of Ukraine. We are trying to stay safe, but this is war, there are no two ways about it. We call on everyone to force Putin to withdraw from our lands.”
Indie developer TallBoys shared a more direct response condoning the war on Twitter, writing, “Fuck the war, we do not condone it in any shape of form, fuck the ones who do and also Fuck the Fucking War.”
As things stand we are safe. We continue our work remotely for the moment and will react to the situation, depending on how it develops. Lastly we want to extend our deepest gratitude to our brave soldiers fighting to defend our nation. We salute you! #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/A8I5oX1w58
— Vostok Games (@VostokGames) February 25, 2022
Other game developers outside of Ukraine have been voicing their support for Ukraine as well, where they will be donating to humanitarian efforts to aid victims of the war. Polish developer CD Projekt Red, the creator of Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher, issued a statement of support for Ukraine on Twitter and will be donating 1 million PLN to Polska Akcja Humanitarna (PAH), a Poland-based humanitarian organization.
We cannot remain indifferent in the face of such injustice and we ask everybody to join in and help in any way you can. Together we can make a huge difference! (2/2)
— CD PROJEKT RED (@CDPROJEKTRED) February 25, 2022
Destiny franchise developer Bungie and Polish developer 11 Bit Studios also support Ukraine through humanitarian aid via monetary donations, respectively. Bungie announced on Twitter that they would donate 100% of the proceeds from the first 48 hours of their Game2Give drive to humanitarian aid efforts. 11 Bit Studios also released a statement on Twitter condoning the war, stating that they will donate all profits from their game This War of Mine and its DLC on all platforms and stores to the Ukrainian Red Cross for the next seven days.
Our hearts are with our friends and families affected by the events in Ukraine.
We will be donating 100% of the proceeds of the first 48 hours of our Game2Give drive to humanitarian aid efforts in response to ongoing conflict.
— Bungie (@Bungie) February 25, 2022
11 bit studios team statement:#FuckTheWar#Ukraine @RedCrossUkraine @Ukraine pic.twitter.com/bVqBlZnR8j
— 11 bit studios (@11bitstudios) February 24, 2022
Many other game studios showed support for Ukraine via Twitter, such as publisher Raw Fury and developers Draw Distance, Clever Endeavor, Gameloft, and Crytek. In addition to sharing support, Clever Endeavor also donated $1500 CAD to United Help Ukraine and Sunflower of Peace each and donated $5000 USD to Support Hospitals in Ukraine.
A message from us at Raw Fury on the current events.#StandWithUkraine https://t.co/SSSBXEKFwm pic.twitter.com/VwPlinc6Cr
— Raw Fury (@RawFury) February 24, 2022
We stand with our Ukrainian friends. 🇺🇦
Ukrainians are our neighbors, colleagues and employees. Their safety, and the safety of their families is of great importance to us.
We wholeheartedly condemn the Russian attack on Ukraine.— Draw Distance (@DrawDistanceDev) February 24, 2022
We stand with the people of Ukraine and those who speak up against these senseless attacks.
We invite our audience to speak up and help out where they can. https://t.co/tJ7jVXPF2k
— Clever Endeavour Games (@ClevEndeavGames) February 24, 2022
— Gameloft (@gameloft) February 24, 2022
— Crytek (@Crytek) February 25, 2022
Most notably, Ubisoft, who has offices in Kyiv and Odesa, also issued an official statement on Twitter showing support for their teams in Ukraine. The company has been “closely monitoring the situation and taken measures to accompany [their team] in the best possible way, by helping to protect their safety and providing financial support.”
— Ubisoft (@Ubisoft) February 25, 2022
Support for Ukraine has spread out to other areas within the video game industry like esports. Ukrainian esports club Natus Vincere (NAVI) also shared a statement on Twitter to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine with a link to a donation website. Riot Games also decided to postpone this week’s games for their Valorant Champions Tour EMEA to support their players, casters, staff, and fans affected by the Russia-Ukraine War.
https://t.co/iNiwMXrC81 pic.twitter.com/JaOa6JQxEA
— NAVI (@natusvincere) February 24, 2022
After careful consideration, we have decided to postpone VCT EMEA Week 3 games. Our community’s welfare is integral to us and at this time, our number one priority is to support the players, casters, staff and fans affected by the escalating crisis in Ukraine.
— VALORANT Champions Tour EMEA (@valesports_emea) February 24, 2022
You can check out this article for more ways to support Ukraine and its people, which lists organizations like Sunflower of Peace, UNICEF, CARE, and more.
