Game studios from all over the world have joined the call for peace and an end to the bloodshed being caused by the Ukraine crisis.
PCGamer reports that among the said studios include "Cyberpunk" and "The Witcher" developer CD Projekt Red, "Destiny" dev Bungie, alongside others who have also pledged to support local humanitarian efforts in the currently war-torn country. Other smaller studios have also joined in.
"Sherlock Holmes" developer Frogwares, which is based in Ukraine, has tweeted out this message condemning the Russian invasion with the hashtag #StopRussianAggression:
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.
— Frogwares (@Frogwares) February 24, 2022
We call on everyone to force Putin to withdraw from our lands #StopRussianAggression
Another Ukraine-based developer, Vostok Games, tweeted an image of the Ukrainian flag with the hashtag #StandWithUkraine. The studio is based in the country's capital city of Kyiv, which is now one of the many frontlines of the fighting:
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
— VG Entertainment (@vg_entertainmnt) February 25, 2022
Polish game studios have also joined in the call for an end to all military aggression, including "This War Of Mine" developer 11 Bit Studios. In their statement, they have announced that all proceeds from "This War Of Mine" for seven straight days starting February 25th will go to a special fund, which is going to be donated to the Ukrainian Red Cross:
11 bit studios team statement:#FuckTheWar#Ukraine @RedCrossUkraine @Ukraine pic.twitter.com/bVqBlZnR8j
— 11 bit studios (@11bitstudios) February 24, 2022
Quite simply, buying 11 Bit Studios' critically acclaimed side-scrolling indie survival game will allow you to directly help those who are affected by the Ukraine crisis. Fellow Polish developer CD Projekt Red likewise pledged a total of 1 Million PLN (roughly $243,081 USD at the time of this writing) to the humanitarian organization Polska Akcja Humanitarna:
The recent invasion on Ukraine, our friends and neighbours, left us shocked and outraged.
— CD PROJEKT RED (@CDPROJEKTRED) February 25, 2022
In solidarity with all victims of this act of aggression, the CD PROJEKT Group has decided to support humanitarian aid efforts by donating 1 million PLN to the @PAH_org (1/2)
All studios have joined the rest of the gaming community (specifically the ESports industry) in demanding an end to all the fighting.
Polish Game Studios Join Ukrainian Colleagues In Solidarity
Aside from their Ukraine-based colleagues, Polish devs like CD Projekt and 11 Bit Studios likely have a far bigger stake in all of this than expected, given the current situation in their home country caused by the Ukraine crisis.
Poland is one of the many nations that Ukrainian refugees are fleeing to in order to escape the fighting back home. According to CNN, the Polish government is anticipating an ever-increasing wave of refugees seeking safety and, as such, is "prepared" to receive all those running away from the war.
As of this writing, there is a reported increase in traffic at the Polish border into Ukraine, with refugee numbers peaking to as high as 29,000 people within the last 24 hours. To accommodate the refugees, the Polish government is setting up reception centers close to the border to help process those arriving from the now war-torn country.
All in all, the video game industry is doing everything it can to help make it easier for Ukrainian refugees at this difficult time. Included among these studios is "Metro" franchise creator 4A Games, which was founded in Kyiv. They recently tweeted a message calling for people to support the Ukrainian army with whatever they can give:
Lastly, "S.T.A.L.K.E.R." developer GSC Game World, which is also based in Kyiv, released a statement indicating that Ukraine is "ready to defend its freedom and independence" (via DigitalTrends).
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by RJ Pierce
