Russian studio fled country to finish game
Russian video game studio Odd Meter was one year in development IndikaThe game is set in an alternate Russia in the twentieth century, when the Russian government has invaded Ukraine. Hundreds of thousands of Russians fled the country, many of whom opposed the war in Ukraine, including several developers of Odd Meter, according to study founder Dmitry Svetlow.
“You’re living in some kind of nightmare,” Svetlow said. “Something happened that never happened.”
Ten of the 14 Odd Meter workers left Russia together to continue working on the game, facing the possibility that they would never be able to return home. (Other developers could not leave Russia for various reasons, including family ties). Indika as an “arthouse” play about a rebellious nun, named Indika, who is expelled from the monastery and goes out into the world; It is not difficult to see that criticism of the Russian Orthodox Church. It is described as Odd Meter Indika as a mix of third-person power, puzzles, and a platform with a strong focus on storytelling. In a surreal trailer released alongside the announcement, Odd Meter makes it clear Indika It is not necessary to follow traditional game conventions. Svetlow himself is an architect by trade, along with several other studio members; Along with Russian literature, architecture influenced Svetlow’s views on art.
Odd Meter started working on the game before the war, but Svetlow said IndikaThe themes are connected to him: “Russian Orthodoxy is one of the weapons of Russian propaganda,” he said. “From the church they said to the people, “Go to Ukraine and kill them to die for the country.” Do you believe this? Church – Christian church.
Polish publisher 11 bit fans signed on to publish the game and continued to support Odd Meter throughout IndikaExplanation – Svetlow is expected to be somewhat drawn at the beginning of the war, both because it is a Russian interest and because this game is inspired by Russian culture and history. Svetlow also described initial feelings of guilt about his situation: “I had that feeling that they should do it (withdraw from the company),” Svetlow said. “I spent that year getting rid of the guilt that I realized I didn’t feel. I am a man who would call me a lover, not those who kill Ukrainians or send Russians to death.”
He said: “After these announcements and statements, it is better not to return (to Russia). Many have said, when I show these things of mine, that I am mad – as I have already said about those who are against a few laws, the most dangerous of which is the traitor to the country. It would cost you 20 years in prison.
Announcing the Odd Meter Indika comes to Russia moves “they bring renewed“in the war in Ukraine. This latest escalation heads into another year, during which hundreds of thousands of people have been injured or killed; as reported by the New York Times.
Svetlow and several Odd Meters continue to work Indika from a new location in Almaty, Kazakhstan. When the game is released, Odd Meter will donate “a portion of the proceeds” to children impacted by the war in Ukraine.