Russian studio fled country to finish game

Odd Meter, a Russian game development studio, has been working on the project for a year. IndikaThe game is set in a 19th century Russia where the Russian government attacked Ukraine. Hundreds of thousands of Russians fled the country, many of whom opposed the war on Ukraine — including the majority of Odd Meter’s developers, according to studio founder Dmitry Svetlow.

“You’re living in some kind of nightmare,” Svetlow said. “Something happened that should have never happened.”

Odd Meter’s 14 workers, ten of them together, left Russia to work on the project. They were faced with the possibility that they would never be able return home. Other developers could not leave Russia because of family and other ties. Indika as an “arthouse-style” adventure game about a seditious nun, called Indika, who gets expelled from the monastery and sets out into the world; it’s not hard to see it as a criticism of the Russian Orthodox church. Odd Meter describes IndikaThe game is described by its developers as a combination of platforming and puzzles with an emphasis on narrative. Odd Meter’s surreal announcement trailer makes it very clear what the game is about. Indika won’t necessarily follow traditional game conventions. Svetlow himself is an architect by trade, along with several other members of the studio; along with Russian literature, architecture has influenced Svetlow’s beliefs on art.

Odd Meter was working on the game even before World War II, according to Svetlow Indika’s themes are connected to it: “The Russian Orthodox church is one of the weapons of Russian propaganda,” he said. “From the church, they said to people, ‘You should go to Ukraine and kill them, to die for your country.’ Can you believe it? A church — a Christian church.”

Odd Meter was published by 11 Bit Studios, a Polish publisher. They have continued to support the game throughout. Indika’s development — something Svetlow expected to be pulled at the start of the war, both because the studio is Russian and because this is a game inspired by Russian culture and history. Svetlow also described his initial feelings of guilt surrounding the situation: “I had that feeling that they should do it [pull out of the partnership],” Svetlow said. “I spent the last year getting rid of that guilt, because rationally I understood I shouldn’t feel it. I’m the person who should call myself a patriot, not those who kill Ukranians, or send Russians to die.”

He continued: “After this announcement and my statements, it’s better not to come back [to Russia]. Many people have said, when I show them my statements, that I’m crazy — because I’ve already spoken about things that are against a few laws, the most dangerous of which is being a traitor of the homeland. It could cost you 20 years in prison.”

Odd Meter’s announcement of Indika comes as Russia launches a “renewed offensive” in the war on Ukraine. According to a New York Times article, this latest escalation is occurring as the war enters its 2nd year.

Svetlow continues to be involved in Odd Meter, as does the majority. IndikaThe new office is located in Almaty. When the game is released, Odd Meter will donate “part of the revenue” to children impacted by the war in Ukraine.