Creating a grim portrayal of war—a game that shifts away from the industry’s action movie-like depictions to show the struggle of survival from a down-to-earth civilian perspective—was a risk. Yet, 11 bit studios couldn’t be prouder of what This War of Mine has accomplished in the decade since its release.
The game’s stark portrayal of reality, where morality erodes under the weight of war, has transcended the boundaries of the gaming industry, earning a place in prestigious exhibitions such as those at the Imperial War Museum in London and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Through charity DLC, the game continuously raises funds for War Child, an organization dedicated to supporting children affected by war. Following Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, all proceeds from one week of This War of Mine sales were donated, generating $850k for the Ukrainian Red Cross.
Furthermore, This War of Mine has influenced academic settings globally, offering lecturers a unique way to educate students on the harsh realities of war. It became the first video game to be officially recognized as “supplementary material” by Poland’s Ministry of Education, with an educational version available for free on the government website for Polish students and teachers. Recently, the game received a Special Recognition Award from Amnesty International, honoring its role in raising awareness of international humanitarian law. Yet, for all this acclaim, we remain troubled by the state of the world today.
This is why the new playable content is titled Forget Celebrations. Innocent lives are still being lost on battlefields, new conflicts are erupting, arms production escalates to feed war’s demand, and civilians and soldiers continue to face unimaginable brutality. With the world bleeding, we believe it is vital to keep pushing for change.
In Forget Celebrations, players return to war-torn Pogoren to follow the story of Katia, a seasoned war correspondent. While struggling to write a book on the brutal realities of war, a missile attack devastates her home, forcing her into an even harsher fight for survival and the recovery of her gathered material. All studio proceeds from Forget Celebrations will be donated to support our charity partners in this anniversary initiative: War Child, Amnesty International, Liberty Ukraine Foundation, and Indie Games Poland. Stay tuned to learn how you can make a difference.
