Andrew Stephan is the director of War Game: The Making of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, a documentary from Microsoft about the ordeal of the game developers at GSC Game World, the Ukraine game studio that had to make S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: The Heart of Chornobyl, a triple-A game, in the middle of a war zone.
The film depicts the lives of the game team — possibly the largest in all of Ukraine with 460 people — as they navigated the challenges of completing the game amid the Russian invasion. In development for a decade, the game is set to launch on PC and consoles on November 20, 2024.
It’s an emotional story that focuses on a husband-and-wife team, Ievgen Grygorovych and Mariia Grygorovych, the leaders of the game studio, and the tough decisions they had to make to save the game, the studio, and their employees. It offers insights into decision-making under pressure.
The video shows the making of the game from its inception through the onset of war and its aftermath. Stephan mentioned that his film teams were unable to go to the country during the war, and the footage was captured by the GSC Game World team themselves. The raw footage captured during this turbulent time provides a unique glimpse into their experiences.
The team’s resilience in the face of war and adversity shines through in the emotional film, reflecting the challenges faced by thousands of game developers in Ukraine and the Ukrainian diaspora amidst the shadow of war.
Andrew Stephan shared his insights in an interview:
GamesBeat: What has the reception been like so far? Have you heard some good things about how it’s being viewed?
Andrew Stephan: I’m not closely following the numbers myself. It wasn’t my focus. I would defer to Microsoft regarding viewership. What mattered most to me was the team at GSC. I recently had the opportunity to screen the film for them in Prague. The team’s response was positive, and they were deeply touched and grateful for the film, appreciating that their story was portrayed with care and deliberation.
The overall response seems to be overwhelmingly positive based on comments and opinions I’ve come across.
GamesBeat: What was the initial motivation for focusing on Ukraine and this particular team?
Stephan: It was more a stroke of luck and timing. I was initially introduced to GSC’s story through Tina Summerford from my time at G4TV. She informed me about GSC’s story in 2022 and asked if I would be interested in directing a film about it. With Microsoft’s support, I was able to pitch and direct the film, which turned out to be a rewarding experience.
As the story unfolds, Stephan shares his deep insights and reflections on the humane aspect of game development, shedding light on the passionate individuals behind the games we love.
Stephan’s film not only captures the challenges faced by the GSC Game World team but also serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and determination of individuals in the face of adversity.
