News
22.01.2025
Victor Pinchuk Foundation hosts discussion with S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2 video game creators, during WEF in Davos
Victor Pinchuk Foundation hosted the discussion “160 GB of Resistance. A conversation with S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2 video game creators Ievgen and Mariia Grygorovych” during WEF in Davos (Switzerland).
The event was held as a part of the project ‘YOUR COUNTRY FIRST – WIN WITH US’, organized by Victor Pinchuk Foundation and PinchukArtCentre in cooperation with the Office of the President of Ukraine. The project, which combines an ongoing discussion program and an exhibition, is an immersive intellectual and visual experience, and a space for dialogue and action.
Bjorn Geldhof, Artistic Director for the PinchukArtCentre, moderator of the discussion, invited Maria and Ievgen to discuss the phenomenal global success of their games, what inspired them and how they stay true to their vision.
Maria Grygorovych, Creative Director, GSC Game World, said: “We launched the game after the full-scale invasion. We wanted to launch something that was big, impactful and hugely ambitious. The game is about life. If you love playing this game, you will love Ukraine’s soul. It is made with love, by Ukrainians.”
Ievgen Grygorovych, CEO, GSC Game World, stated: “Despite the challenges, we wanted to keep S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2 at the same scale as the original. We are Ukrainian; this game is important to us, our identities are linked. We wanted to make it so that people are proud to say that it was made in Ukraine.”
“Ukrainian culture is important. It is also important that we make sure people outside of Ukraine understand our rich culture, as well as what is happening in Ukraine right now. We want to bring the story to life, in their own homes, so they don’t forget and switch off.
The game is based in a different reality in Chernobyl. Visitors see our art, our history and culture – not everyone knows it is set in Ukraine - but it is.”
Maria Grygorovych added: “The Chernobyl disaster in a a big part of our history. It is taught in schools for those young enough not to remember it in 1986. The game shows a different reality, how things could have been.”
Ievgen Grygorovych commented: “We purposely made this in Ukrainian and English language only. We were asked by a lot of people all over the world to keep Ukrainian and just have the subtitles. Players really recommend that you play in local language so that you really immerse yourself in the experience and feel deeply Ukrainian. This is our language; and our culture and identity are woven into it. I have heard it said that S.T.A.L.K.E.R ‘softly’ introduces Ukraine to the world.”
“I want to end thanking you all for your incredible courage. At the end of the game, if you finish, we credit all those that made the game possible. We dedicate the game to those who we depend on for the survival of the country that we love. Without you we wouldn’t succeed at all. We are so very grateful. Everyone in our team feels proud that our work brings so many important things to life. Thank you all.” Concluded Ievgen Grygorovych.
The project ‘YOUR COUNTRY FIRST - WIN WITH US’ is organized by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation and the PinchukArtCentre in cooperation with the Office of the President of Ukraine.
The project ‘ YOUR COUNTRY FIRST - WIN WITH US’ located at Promenade 59, Davos, is a complementary event hosted on the occasion of the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum, in a space shared with Ukraine House Davos.
Agenda of the discussion program is available here https://www.winwithua.org/agenda
Photos are available here
Video is available here
