A new title called Squad 22: ZOV has surfaced on Steam, claiming to be officially supported by the Russian Military as an infantry tactical manual for its training programs. Set against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine, this game involves commanding Russian units against Ukrainian forces, capturing prisoners, and rescuing hostages.
Developed by SPN Studio and published by Zarobana Entertainment, the game purports to offer an accurate portrayal of historical events, drawing influence from both the 2014 annexation of Crimea and the recent invasion of Ukraine. The creators assert it is crafted with insights from Russian soldiers and veterans.
However, the game has sparked outrage, being branded by critics as pro-Russian propaganda, with calls for its removal from Steam. The Ukrainian government’s Centre for Countering Disinformation has condemned it as “Russian propaganda”. Reviews on the platform are currently marked as Mixed, with users describing it as “an ethical abomination that deserves universal condemnation.”
Alexander Tolkach, the lead developer, indicated that the game underwent an extensive moderation process on Steam, lasting 60 days, outperforming the typical timeframe of just over a week.
Tolkach claims that while the idea for the game originated from a GVPU representative of the Russian military, funding was sourced from personal savings and a private investor. He emphasized that profits would primarily sustain salaries and development for future projects, although skepticism exists regarding the game’s connections to the Russian military.
In a candid acknowledgment of the contentious nature of their project, Tolkach stated, “I understand why 99% of game developers prefer historical or fictional settings, but we feel we have the right to tell the narrative of our people.”
Regardless of the motivations behind its creation, the existence of Squad 22 within a platform like Steam amidst ongoing real-world violence presents a disturbing juxtaposition that continues to face public scrutiny.
