Alexandr Wolodarskij
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wolodarskij.substack.com
Alexandr Wolodarskij
@wolodarskij.substack.com
Game Developer
One important element in October Night Games almost didn’t make it into the release. It was a reflection on motivation behind picking sides in conflicts. The unlikely alliances of enemies and the deadly feuds among think-alikes.
I’m looking forward to delving deeper into this in the Director’s Cut.
November 23, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Of course, it would be nice if the transfer happened before Halloween, as intended, but even later is better than never.

Still looking forward to some action on the publisher’s side.
November 4, 2025 at 11:46 AM
I am thinking of a board game called "Not Much of a Secret Hitler."
There is a player who is Hitler, and everyone knows he is Hitler. He behaves and talks like Hitler.
Other players must persuade each other that there is no Hitler around by coming up with new justifications for his words or actions.
January 21, 2025 at 9:23 PM
If German politicians could still find some Rückgrat (backbone), they would use Musk's "salute the sun gesture" to effectively minimize his influence on German and overall on European politics. He had essentially played into their hands, and it would be a shame not to take advantage of it.
January 21, 2025 at 9:19 PM
A funny paradox: people who most strongly deny that Musk made a nazi salute are the ones most convinced that he did exactly this. They just like it.
January 21, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Reposted by Alexandr Wolodarskij
Happy to have contributed to this important research as a commentator: "Russian Cultural Diplomacy in Germany: Actors, Narratives, and Achievements", published by the Ukrainian Institute: https://ui.org.ua/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/russian-cultural-diplomacy-in-germany.-ukrainian-institute.pdf
November 24, 2024 at 2:12 PM
By the way, it seems that GSC Game World has accidentally discovered a new kind of DRM. Russian pirates are refusing to distribute illegal copies of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 because they fear persecution—not for piracy, but for so-called "pro-Ukrainian propaganda".
November 24, 2024 at 2:05 PM
I've said this before: the sign of a truly good game is not the absence of bugs. The sign of a good game is the strong desire to play it despite any bugs and inconveniences.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is definitely a good game.
November 24, 2024 at 2:04 PM
I have a strong feeling some "real Europeans" lean on "Islamic" antisemitism to justify their own and make it appear insignificant. With extremists attacking Jews and burning synagogues, "normal people" can casually spread conspiracy theories, or undermine the Holocaust without being called out.
October 18, 2023 at 2:33 PM
The AFD crowd is whining. Their party chief is in the hospital after allegedly being jabbed with some poison. Two scenarios: either the Nazi and Putin’s buddy used bad drugs and is dodging an awkward situation by playing victim, or antifa are getting creative. Highly appreciated if it's the latter.
October 5, 2023 at 9:59 AM
I have already de facto left Twitter and Telegram, but using Facebook as the main platform is a scarier sign of aging than my gray beard. So, I am trying to become active here. Lately, Twitter has been suggesting completely irrelevant "trending topics", but today it got it right.
October 2, 2023 at 2:11 PM
Regarding Russia's collapse, Western politicians (and not only them) have transitioned from denial to bargaining, almost skipping the anger stage. Depression is imminent, with acceptance to follow.
July 3, 2023 at 10:02 AM