How This War of Mine Plays on Your Emotions | War Stories | Ars Technica
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 พ.ค. 2019
- Aleksander Kauch, lead game programmer for This War of Mine, goes behind the scenes of the game's development and explains how they turned a management sim into a visceral experience about civilians at war.
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How This War of Mine Plays on Your Emotions | War Stories | Ars Technica - เกม
I remember playing this game during my winter break on Christmas....What a depressing Christmas that was.
I also played it over the first christmas it was released. This game will always stay with me.
I remember I gave this game as a gift on christmas to my brother :-D
the soundtrack will haunt me for life
fun
I don't know why, but I didn't really feel the emotional weight of This War of Mine until I got everyone on my second playthrough one by one. It didn't feel right to just cheese my way out of it and somehow it was only then that it really hit me that these could have been real people having these experiences. I knew that they had based it on real life experiences, but it wasn't until the first party death that it really hit me on an emotional level.
Never stop to do this videos.
Please.
I want a Hotline Miami video.
Such a great series, right?
I realized their existence today. These are the best development videos I've seen in a looooooooooooong time.
I love these videos too and I want them to keep coming. But your wording made it sound like they should stop doing these videos. I.e. never stop to do sth vs never stop doing sth.
This comment got a lot of love! It's a year old now! For fun you could edit the comment and rewrite the comment with what english you have learned in the last year. Don't delete the comment though! It's gold lol. Goes to show not even language can stand between us for long.
One of the greatest games ever created. This War of Mine must be recognised as a true work of art in the medium.
Thanks, it really means a lot to us. :)
@@11bitstudios This is wholesome.
@@11bitstudios it really is a work of art. awesome job
@@11bitstudios in a lot of ways I love Roger Ebert for being a champion of outsiders in film and never taking himself too seriously but he was absolutely dead wrong about video games being art and yall proved him wrong in a big way with This War Of Mine. I loved Anomaly but this game is a watershed moment in gaming history and I haven't even played it lol - but I know there are few other games that have this emotional gravitas, so congrats on your achievement!
"only the dead have seen the end of war"
like in general or THE war
The episode about literal war stories.
I love games that stick with you. I'll never forget returning to that elderly couples house only to find them dead.
Damn Carlos, you robbed them? You didn't need that, you could go somewhere else the next night and search. Damn Carlos, you cold.
I shot stabbed a woman with a shotgun, heard a person running down I thought I'd have to fight then I saw that the person coming, she just dropped down next to the corpse of the woman I had murdered and started crying...
That stuff sticks with you...
I went in expecting another place to rob but then I saw them and my heart sank. I didn't even rob them, I just left them be and in every game I play that has them as a location, I don't even think about robbing it.
It killed me to find them dead. I raided once, and them never again.
In this game, your choices MATTER
You'll never forget the moment the video told you in a game you've never played? That is so dramatic, have a thumbs up!
I never stole from the elderly couple and I'm so glad in retrospective, honestly if I had reached that conclusion I would've probably left the game for good... and the fact that this game created that emotional response is a success in my eyes.
Honestly I think a lot of the effect was just the ambience, the soundtrack, the artstyle and the different reactions of npc's. It's easy to kill a goblin in an rpg and take loot, but taking loot from someone that doesn't fight back? Is an entirely different matter.
i am sorry to inform you but if you dont steal from them and come back later they are also dead because someone else came
Sisko526 lol maybe I’m horrible but I took everything I’m pretty sure every single time I went there so I didn’t know this could happen
@@zionsimanian9310 yeah when i played it like the second or third time with my brother we intentionally didnt do that to figure that it doesnt matter what you do^^
@@Sisko526 It's not an RPG, but you can role play anyway. I felt much more guilt after a masacre, by my hand, at the shelled school where the inhabitants tried to fight back, but were too weak for a well-fed lady with a shovel.
In this game I basically killed everyone lmao
My god this was the first game that stressed me about being my usual psychopath I am in games. I couldn't even kill an old couple for resources without mental consequences :c
Zelbess Have you every played a game where you can make human leather cowboy hats?
@@cosmicmemer1611 no, but I'm interested
In any other game, I would kill children and laugh it off, but this war of mine is different. It makes you feel for strangers that didn't ask for the sitiuation they were in
@@jojojojo-yi6wb Rimworld is a colony management sim / story generator, you can start a colony, and build it up, get raided etc, theres lots of mods on the workshop, check the game out, im not really a good explainer.
@@cosmicmemer1611 sure dude, I'll check it out
This is the one where the child, the useless old man, and the fast man with lots of pockets start a cigarette factory. It's incredible. It's made me cry many times.
I think this was the only empathy driven game I've ever played that I literally couldn't finish because it just got too brutal for me. I still love it, though.
Yeah brutally boring 😂
@@snavisTMbro it’s only boring if you’re not interested in the actual story instead of the gameplay caz many people say the same thing about spec ops yet it has an amazing storyline
My final playthrough of this game was going very well. i played through a few times and knew the mechanics so I had coffee and quickly got my resources balanced. But then I went out to raid one of the higher item areas. Ended up getting sniped in the street, and I ALT+F4, knowing that with that character dead, the others stood no chance. They never did. I guess my greed or over confidence was their undoing, but that playthrough made me feel really bad and prioritize things in real life.
Sniper Junction I avoid unless i have the tools and if Pavele is in mix splendid.
“This is a sad game”
Man it really is.
I'll never forget my first 'successful' play through of this game. Pretty sure that someone had been cutting up onions nearby.
Start of this video: Oh yeah I heard about this game, I should play it!
End of this video: *sobbing* I will never play this game
It's pretty good BTW. And really hard core
You should definitely give it a go if you haven’t
You should, just look at the steam reviews.
Your studio is a ray of light in the gaming world. Please continue the good work
Thanks! We'll do our best. :)
I remember this game affecting me like no other. The things it tells you about war, and yourself, is something really powerful.
Not only of my favorite games but one that is unique as well. Will never forget this game and I play it every now and then.
The choice of music for the game trailer was also a real seller. It adds to the overwhelming feeling of "strange but still so close".
Praying for the people of Ukraine and Russia. Thank you to the game creators for donation proceeds from the game to the Ukrainian Red Cross
Slava Russia!
I already love city builders but didnt realise that these two were made by the same developers. Definitely going to buy Frostpunk now.
One of the best games ive ever played
I am watching this game for a long time and haven't even played once lol
Thanks a lot, Sebastian - it really means a world to us. :)
@@11bitstudios No, thank you, you created a piece of art that's truly unforgettable.
The arsehole ragged on Valiant Hearts, thinking his anti-war game is better.
Spent countless hours on this game. It left a huge impact on me
Glad to hear we've managed to do that. :)
11 bit studios I feel like this game should be required to play before being in the military. Amazing game good work
@@louiss.w1944 Everybody should because it makes us realise we have to keep peace and be happy that we don't have to face war in our modern society but still happen in some countries
i've been wondering why no one has ever done a war game from the civilians point of view for many years, i am so glad a talented dev team made one and its a rightful success!
This game is in my list of my favorite games. 10/10 an amazing game
This game got everything right... the stories, the soundtrack, the atmosphere. god I love this game
It's great to hear that, thank you!
why do you thin so?
I remember finishing a game with Anton and Cveta, by the end they were cold blooded killers. Went to the construction site for weapons and it was smooth sailing from there.
When I finished Frostpunk for the first time that is exactly how I felt, I had made my society a totalitarian state, and not having the knowledge and experience from my next victories and failures, my society was starving only just kept alive because I abandoned so many to die, I was not happy with I had built but I also can't deny or feel shame of the actions I did because I know we wouldn't have just barely made it if I didn't.
well that is also based on your skills no?
This is a sad game... A sad game indeed.
And I loved it
I really appreciate that last sentiment.
An amazing game, an all time classic. Great interview. World-class developer.
Thanks a lot, Patrick! :)
I'll tell you my very first experience with the TWoM because unique experiences like this only come once in a blue moon.
I started with three Characters, but really this story is about Bruno, the cook. Right off the bat, we robbed the elderly couple in the quiet house. This really bothered Bruno, and he would never really recover from it... He kept going as the house cook until the other two scavengers got themselves killed. One was shot, and the other was sick, Bruno was just keeping him alive on his deathbed. Food supplies were running short and there was no one to watch his sick friend. Bruno went out, found food, came back, but his friend died in his sleep. Bruno was too late. He later went back to check on the elderly couple he stole from, to give their food back- only to find they were laying dead on their mattress. This forced Bruno into an extreme sadness and depression. The food and water had run out for several days- Until a knock came on the door. It was his friend Marin from the car-shop.
Marin came in, cleaned the house up, made an improvised furnace to keep Bruno warm while he went out to find food. Marin went out with only a shovel, and began indiscriminately murdering soldiers, rebels, and gangsters left and right. Stealing food, parts, and ammo, taking it off of their corpses. Marin ultimately saved Bruno, but at a cost to his own humanity. He became an alcoholic and a chain-smoker. he was very productive, turned the house into a fortress. Bruno would return the favor by cooking him a hot meal whenever they had ingredients. Marin came extremely close to death a more than a few times, he kept getting wounded, beaten, and shot over and over again. But he'd just bandage himself up, shovel a bowl of hot food into his stomach, inhaled a cheap cigarette, chased it with booze, and he would go out for more.
Bruno woke up one winter morning to see Marin passed out on the floor, drunk. Marin just couldn't take the pain and stress anymore, he had an emotional breakdown, then fell sick from a fever. A knock came on the door later, a school principle. She was a help around the house, and gave Marin rest and meds, but she wasn't really much help with scavenging. So Bruno had to go back out and find food to treat his dying friend. This time, he vowed he would never steal ever again. He went to a nearby shop, and traded parts for food and tobacco. It was just enough for Bruno to cook the meals he needed to keep everyone alive until the snow thawed. Shortly afterward, the news came: the war was over. Nothing was ever the same again for any of these people.
Marin's actions really got me thinking of something I heard from Far Cry 2.
"What is the measure of a man- his murder...? Is it somehow worse to chop them up with an ax? What if you had to kill ten, or a hundred, or a thousand? What if in doing it you save a thousand? Or spare ten? What if you save yourself? By what insane calculus do you use to answer questions such as these?
Should we even try?"
This game was so powerful, so emotional. I’m so grateful people that came up with the idea and saw it through to completion.
I've watched a lot of videos on this channel, but this is instantly become my favorite, can't wait to play this game.
When he spoke about making something they could be proud to show their children, it made me think about art and our life's work in general. What we put into the world matters, in this case he showed that video games are a powerful medium to put something good into it. Incredible.
Such an experience, I’m so grateful you made it. I only hope you carry on making versions with other hard-to-appreciate situations: refugees (because leaving the city isn’t a picnic either), poverty, mental illness.... so many nightmares I want to understand better.
Respect to 11 bit studios. We need more games like this...and I would like to see them being successful. Video games still have a stigmata, they are not yet recognized as a true artform and as the superior media that they are. We can't get there with another Fortnite, but we could get there with another This War of Mine.
They arent recognized because they still arent. They are in the process of becoming though
I think they are art the problem is when you have to mass produce and sell something it loses a bit a if that artistic expression.
I remember the first time I somehow completed this game successfully, it felt like a hollow victory. I'm pretty certain one of my survivors died attacking a heavily fortified location, and while I got another scavenger to avenge them finish the job and return with supplies with news of the war's end around the corner, everybody was too injured and/or depressed to leave the shelter by the next night. I clicked the stay / end day button expecting to lose anywhere between 1 and all of my remaining survivors, and instead I somehow miraculously survived
This is a great series. I appreciate the breadth from computational problems to affective design problems like in this video.
i somehow had a feeling frostpunk reminded me of this war of mine but i never bothered to check. seeing the poster in the back explains why both games are so good. looking forward to what these talented and creative guys come up with next
I've played this, anomaly and frostpunk. 11 bit never ceases to amaze.
"Meaningful entertainment" Wow, incredibly simple, but and incredibly powerful phrase. Well done 11Bit Studious.
This game broke me. It is by no means an enjoyable game, it is harsh and sad, even depressing. Yet, at the same time it was one of the best experiences I've ever had in a game!
This is one of maybe a handful of games where I genuinely cared for those characters. Getting such a visceral reaction to a game was unexpected but so appreciated. The memory of this game stuck with me for years now and while I have no intention of revisiting it any time soon, I appreciate it for what it is.
Man this game help me trough my high school, until now i keep coming back for this game
This was such a good game..
I'll have to revisit this, having missed the expansions and all.. so good, soooo so good.
What a genuinely lovely person this guy seems to be, if more people had his conviction to do such meaningful work in their life the world would be so much better for it
I remember I stole food supplies and medicines form the old couple house's, and they died at the ending. I feel guilty af till today. :(
we need more game creators like this, thank you for this stories that break hearts, but open minds at same time
Truly, I can't stop play This War of Mine and Frostpunk until now, even though i already finished all the scenarios. Thanks to 11bit Studio.
How amazing is to know that behind great games, there are great people.
I never could actively take an action that harmed someone innocent - like the elderly couple. I lockpicked the door the first time and when the two elders just showed signs of being afraid and begging me to leave.... it hurt... and I made my survivor leave because I didn't want to harm them.
Even though I couldnt finisht this game because Ive got all characters depressed, this game is something great and unique. We need more games like this one, with different stories and that create life lessons.
I'll never forget my first playthrough. Ended up with only two survivors, both of which were too injured or starved to leave the house. They just lied on their bed for the last few days of the game. It was so tense I thought they would die any moment. I remember seeing the ending where it describes your characters and the actions it did and just feeling immense sadness... 10/10 game
It was so well made. I couldn’t finish the game, the sadness and gloom hits hard
"we want to create value"... so well said. Some games or meaningful entertainment, as very correctly described, is so much more than simply pass time. Thank you so much for creating this game.
Played TWoM Little Ones on PS4 and absolutely loved it. Great game. Looking forward to whatever these guys do in the future
i love this game. great job to all who worked on this game
Both This War of mine and Frostpunk are such good games. I remember that in my childhood every single game was fun and interesting. now as an adult it is hard finding a game that grabs you and stays with you. a game you can play for hours even days. Both frostpunk and this war of mine are games that still grab me and keep me occupied for hours.
This game is harrowing and simple genius. Bravo to all those involved in its creation
The music, the graphics, the story. It's art.
I love the OST of this game, often i play it while working
Amazing. Just freaking amazing!
I love these videos. They see truly excellent.
I always come back to play this game from time to time. Would love to see another game like it from the studio. Loved Frostpunk but I always come back to TWOM.
THANK YOU for the video and game, i loved that shirt, was such great choice.
I can't believe I just found this game. Absolutely great!
Frostpunk looks soooo good, glad it got a PS4 release in the end, defo gonna grab that at some point soon!!
This is a great game i got it on iOS about 2 weeks ago and I’ve been enjoying it so much. I hope that you continue to to work on this game not that it needs it. Well worth the money
I remember when my characters is starving and needed food i go to school i think i think its school and there's people underground i saw that they have food and i really need it i almost cried when i killed i dont know why, i know its just a game but my tears literally came out of my eye, this is a very great game.
I was laid up in the hospital for a week with bad bronchitis when I first played this and it was an interesting experience, being bored and kind of uneasy about being sick and playing this.
This has been on my wishlist for awhile, but I *love* Frostpunk. (Even bought the season pass lol).
It's really interesting to see the background of this game. Wonder if they'll do something like it again....
Ok I'll replay this game again
This game is just so amazing!!! I loved it for years now can't wait for more content!!! Expect good news from me in a few days.
one of my favorite games ever
Another good video keep it up
This game is not just a game. It is a lesson for life, like a very good book. Thank you for that game! I love it.
I just played this game, the mobile version of it. This is the first time i saw a War Theme Game that didn't glorified war. I've managed to make all of my characters survived till the ceasefire, but i need to make a tough decisions during the game, but i think that's the point of this game, to show us what's the real impacts of war to civilians. Stealing or not stealing, killed or be killed, sharing aid or being selfish, all of the choices that we made are matters. Even though i have never experienced being in a war before (and i will never wish to be on it), but this game really shows me that how devastating it is to be trapped in a war conditions, especially when you are not the soldiers, but the civilians.
I just finished the game and am proud to say that I didn't steal on the old couple also I finished it in a good ways helping the children that they have no medicine for their mother and food . This is a great game I won't forget this:) keep making games that we can learn or update this:)
This the best game war ever i playing and i like a "in the war not all a soldier"
Great lessons for content and storytelling !
Hope it's useful! :)
Thanks for the comment!
I really wanted to be more immersed in the narrative of this game but the survival aspect so was so difficult that all of my characters would die within the first few weeks of in-game play. I probably played the same beginning two hours of gameplay over four or five times and then eventually scrapped it. I admire the vision, and I find the ‘no right choices’ direction interesting, but I feel like actually being able to actually progress through the game far enough to have the narrative flesh out is more important than anything else.
This game is a good idea well executed :) It's very atmospheric and manages to play with your feelings.
You guys should do one with Dennaton Games for Hotline Miami! I remember reading some interviews with them pre-Hotline 1 and the stress and financial difficulty both devs faced.
This is a great interview these guys are great devs.
Another interesting idea these guys could make their own would be a game based on kowloon walled city, a real lawless city which lived independently in China
great game, played it a ton
Whenever I played this game and went to bed, I would lie awake, still thinking about whether I made the right choices.
Yo I just bought this game for the Nintendo switch last night and it was 95% off on eshop !! Spent like $2 for the complete edition and the sale is still going on! I can’t wait to play it as soon as I clock out
I love this game, own the boardgame version too.
you guys are GENIUSES! plz update the game with more details! i absolutely love ur game but i need it to get some new stuff please
Damn, I haven't played this game in over a year, but I'm booting it up right now.
Robbing the old couple's house still haunts me.
I did it too. I had a child whom was very sick and at night I left her with Katia and took Marco to the old couple's house ( he was injured from a previous fight), I only took one meds and I went back they were gone. So I revisited the old couple to give the med back and to my surprise they were dead. After that shock I stopped playing for a while.
When I did it I got scared they were gonna attack me so I killed them :/
I'm craving for a sequel of this game
and that is why i never go to the old peoples house. and also why i have only had two games where i have survived.
Love this developer.
I m huge fan of this game, its much addicted. Aftr aoe this is game i enjoyed most.
Cool idea!
The night raids were hella crazy
Aleksander looks like Jon snow and Sam did the fusion dance
I paid like 10 bucks for this game, and it got me so depressed i had to see a therapist. That costed me over 2000 dollars in the long run. I lost my house, my car, and my family left me too. Worth it? Most definitely! 10/10 game!
Imagine paying for therapy topkek
Whenever I see the title of this game "These Little Stars of Mine" plays in my head but with Star replaced with War.
"This little War of mine, I’m gonna let it shine" ...
it's a great concept and I'm glad games like this exist but geez it's so sad and dystopian. It makes me wish there was at least a happy ending to achieve if you work hard enough. A rare possibility to figure out a way to keep everyone you care about alive by the end of the game
3:42 - A Wild Michael Haneke appears
When I first bought this game, I legit remember looking, I played it for 16 hrs straight... Completed it in 1 go. I felt so bad stealing from the elderly people on my first run :P