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Ukrainian developers of an upcoming Microsoft game showed their makeshift offices and discussed joining the armed forces in a new video

Ukrainian developers of an upcoming Microsoft game showed their makeshift offices and discussed joining the armed forces in a new video

Travis Clark

A GSC Game World developer in a motion-capture suit.GSC Game World

Ukrainian game developers described their working conditions in a new video diary.
The video showed their makeshift offices, such as a bathroom or small corridor.

"S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl" was highlighted during the Xbox Games Showcase Extended event on Tuesday. The game has been delayed to next year because the development company, GSC Game World, is based in Kyiv, Ukraine.

GSC Game World

"S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl" was originally set to be released this year, but after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, where the development company behind the game, GSC Game World, is based, it's been delayed to 2023. It's set to be released on Microsoft Windows and Xbox Series X/S.

The developers shared an inspiring video diary with the Xbox Games Showcase Extended event on Tuesday about their lives during the war and how they've resumed development on the game.

Some developers have stepped away from the game to join the Ukrainian armed forces and aid in the conflict with Russia.

GSC Game World's video diary showed the ruins after Russian bombing that took place less than a mile away from its office in Kyiv.

GSC Game World

Andrii Maksiuta, a voice director, said in the video that staffers ran to a bomb shelter during the attack.

This is what the GSC office in Kyiv looked like.

GSC Game World

Some of those who remained in Ukraine now work out of makeshift offices. Maksym Tkachenko, a community lead at GSC, appeared in the video in what seems to be a bathroom, saying it's his "office space now."

GSC Game World

Dariia Tsepkova, a narrative designer at GSC Game World, has lived for three months in what she called a "corridor" with a one-eyed dog rescued from the Ukrainian city of Hostomel.

GSC Game World

Some became volunteers. Oleksii Chekalenko, a 3D designer, said that he works on the game "between the sirens and my volunteer work."

GSC Game World

Sirens are a regular occurrence for the developers still in Ukraine: "We have air raid sirens around the clock," said Taras Kukurian, a community manager.

GSC Game World

Oleksandr Levchenko, an animator, said that he has not been in contact with his parents since Russia invaded: "It is an indescribable, horrible feeling not knowing whether your loved ones are alive."

GSC Game World

One developer said that his cat died during the bombing in the first week when Russia invaded.

GSC Game World

Some developers joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including Dmytro Iassenev: "I never imagined a war in Europe in the 21st century."

A Ukrainian game developer that joined the country's armed forces. GSC Game World

Oleksii Ivanov, a community manager, said that he is "defending my country from the Russian aggressors."

GSC Game World

Maksym Hnatkov, a narrative designer, said that he would come back to the game "after our victory."

GSC Game World

The video diary ended with text that said that some GSC colleagues couldn't participate "due to safety concerns."

GSC Game World

Watch the full developer diary below:

Ukrainian developers of an upcoming Microsoft game showed their makeshift offices and discussed joining the armed forces in a new video

Travis Clark

"S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl" was highlighted during the Xbox Games Showcase Extended event on Tuesday. The game has been delayed to next year because the development company, GSC Game World, is based in Kyiv, Ukraine.

GSC Game World's video diary showed the ruins after Russian bombing that took place less than a mile away from its office in Kyiv.

This is what the GSC office in Kyiv looked like.

Some of those who remained in Ukraine now work out of makeshift offices. Maksym Tkachenko, a community lead at GSC, appeared in the video in what seems to be a bathroom, saying it's his "office space now."

Dariia Tsepkova, a narrative designer at GSC Game World, has lived for three months in what she called a "corridor" with a one-eyed dog rescued from the Ukrainian city of Hostomel.

Some became volunteers. Oleksii Chekalenko, a 3D designer, said that he works on the game "between the sirens and my volunteer work."

Sirens are a regular occurrence for the developers still in Ukraine: "We have air raid sirens around the clock," said Taras Kukurian, a community manager.

Oleksandr Levchenko, an animator, said that he has not been in contact with his parents since Russia invaded: "It is an indescribable, horrible feeling not knowing whether your loved ones are alive."

One developer said that his cat died during the bombing in the first week when Russia invaded.

Some developers joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including Dmytro Iassenev: "I never imagined a war in Europe in the 21st century."

Oleksii Ivanov, a community manager, said that he is "defending my country from the Russian aggressors."

Maksym Hnatkov, a narrative designer, said that he would come back to the game "after our victory."

The video diary ended with text that said that some GSC colleagues couldn't participate "due to safety concerns."

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