“What is happening in Russia now looks like some kind of crazy experiment.”
The game’s locations are designed to feel a littletooauthentic - so obsessed with minutiae that they become unearthly.
The mechanics and rhythms of play, meanwhile, are very plot-driven and deliberately stifling.
This oddly jubilant emphasis on stuffiness reflects Setlov’s downbeat appraisal of canonical Russian literature.
“We also tried not to make mind-blowing action the basis of the player’s experience.
(If you’re keen on architecture yourself, Odd Meter’sFacebook pageis a trove of historical trivia.)
Putin’s mobilisation of recruits in September 2022 made it important to act swiftly to avoid being called up.
“In fact, I don’t think that we were seriously threatened by anything.
We left because it was psychologically distressing to stay.
“I’m terribly angry,” he says.
“But to my surprise, a very large part simply ‘buried their head in the sand’.
Unhealthy resignation and patience seem to be endemic to our culture.
And this is one of the themes of our game.”
“I come from a very religious family,” he continues.
“It’s no wonder that religion has now become one of Putin’s propaganda weapons.
So no, I’m not a believer.
I would say [I’m] a militant non-believer.”
What can people outside Russia do to support opponents of Putin’s government?
Seemingly, very little.
“Not many people are protesting in Russia now,” Svetlov says.
“At the beginning of the war, the opposition was completely destroyed, most politically active people left.
What is happening in Russia now looks like some kind of crazy experiment.
“When its all over, it seems everyone will need long and difficult therapy.”
Svetlov adds that propaganda doesn’t necessarily have to present an appealing vision.
