Palianytsia – Frogware’s Ukrainian middle finger for Russia

Mainly Ukrainian independent studio Frogwares (The Sinking City, Sherlock Holmes Chapter One) recently unveiled their current project, tentatively named Palianytsia. In the announcement, the developers referred to the difficult situation in their country. They explained that they originally intended to work on a completely different title, but have initially put it on hold to avoid overdoing it under the difficult conditions. Palianytsia is therefore an equally ambitious but less complex production.

But what exactly does it mean to develop a video game while your country is at war? After all, the developers working in Kyiv, where the company’s headquarters are located, are still exposed to rocket attacks and airstrikes, although fighting is currently taking place mainly in eastern Ukraine. That’s what Communications Manager Sergey Oganesyan, who we were allowed to ask about the Frogwares situation, explains to me. Why have some of his colleagues returned to their homes despite the ongoing danger? They want “to be at home to help their cities and families get back on their feet as best they can, rather than hiding somewhere in the country or abroad.”

In fact, all developers are safe and alive. Those based in the east of the country could have fled from there as soon as the Russian invasion began. However, those living in Russian-held territory are currently unable to leave, and 10 to 15 percent of the team have decided to either take up arms or provide humanitarian assistance. They are currently the special concern of the studio. And at the latest when Oganesyan mentions that some employees have lost family members or friends, it becomes clear how terrible the war is. “So we’re constantly reminded of the cost of all this,” he adds.

The invasion isn’t all that’s on the developers’ minds. The roots of their anger apparently go much deeper, given that Putin’s aggressive behavior towards Ukraine was not just in the last few months. Some colleagues had to leave everything behind eight years ago when fleeing Donbass or Crimea.

It is not surprising, then, that Oganesyan calls it disheartening to see Western Europe seek negotiations with Putin’s government. “These are not people you ever trust, who you ever want to deal with. We’ve tried that before and it led to a military invasion. If people want to live in peace and security in Europe, Ukraine must be free and complete stay.”

Play in spite of the war

And yet: Palianytsia will not be a political game, it will not revolve directly around current affairs. However, it will contain topics that reflect parts of the current situation. The Communications Manager mentions the announced horror elements as well as the feeling of not being able to defend oneself against an overpowering enemy.

Last but not least, the title is interesting, although it is only a temporary placeholder for the later name. Because the placeholder also has a meaning: “We chose something that our team and our Ukrainian fans could smile about. The word (Palianytsia is the name of a Ukrainian bread; editor’s note) has a little in our country Made famous because Russians have a hard time pronouncing it.” It is the “equivalent of a phonetic Dark Souls for Russians […]. If someone pretends to be Ukrainian, say a Russian spy, you could ask them to pronounce Palianytsia as a test.”

So Frogwares sees the game as a defiant middle finger against Russia – but also considers it important for its own sake, as it at least “distracts from the war for a few hours”. The fact that all developers are currently working remotely should come as no surprise. Oganesyan calls the “only ray of hope that Corona has brought” the fact that such processes are established today – although occasional air raid alarms and fleeing to a safe room are not actually part of them. Power and internet outages are another evil that many colleagues are currently having to deal with, although the situation is different for each individual. After all, food is probably available in sufficient quantity.

The game itself will consist of detective work, where players will be taken by the hand as little as possible. The story should be in the foreground. All in all, Palianytsia will be reminiscent of what has already characterized the studio’s previous portfolio.

It remains to be hoped that this will not only bring normality back to Frogwares and especially in the Ukraine.