Russian aggression against Ukraine shocked the world. The war just beyond the eastern border of Poland is the greatest tragedy of recent years. The whole world shows solidarity with the victim. The industry of computer games and esports did not intend to hide their heads in the sand, sending a clear message to the world – Ukraine, we are with you!
This is not the time for happy announcements
The war against Ukraine has caused concern to the whole world, and for the inhabitants of the country it has been the worst tragedy in many years. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that many entities, expressing their solidarity with the victim of the armed attack, decided to abandon their plans, at the same time drawing the public’s attention to the urgent problem.
One of the first Polish organizations to decide to take action is Izako Boars. The organization specializing in the game Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, as we can learn from its social media, has an important announcement scheduled for February 24th. In the face of the tragedy, however, it was decided to postpone their plans.
Instead, the team decided to pay tribute to Ukraine by changing its visual identification. The wild boar logo, instead of a clear combination of red and black, took on black and white and was placed against the background of the Ukrainian flag.
The Polish organization associated with Piotr “Izak” Skowyrski is not the only team that decided to make a gesture of solidarity. We will notice similar actions both among Polish and foreign teams. These are often brands of the world format. Blue and yellow colors were also adopted by x-kom AGO, G2 Esports and Ninjas in Pajamas.
The activities of esports organizations were always accompanied by expressions of sympathy. These were combined with the assurance of support towards Ukraine. This is a clear expression showing that society demands peace and an end to the military actions leading to the next tragedy on the part of Russia.
Do you need shelter? Let me know!
The words alone and the changing of profile pictures in the social media continued. A number of teams offer help to players in need who cannot return to the country due to the conflict or who want to leave the country due to fear of the Russian invader.
Victor “Nazgul” Goossens, the owner of the world-renowned organization Team Liquid, reached out to those seeking help. In his post on Twitter, he offered to use the team’s apartments located in the Netherlands.
The native Team ESCA Gaming, a team that plays in the Ultraliga games, decided to do the same. On the social media, in addition to changing the colors to be associated with the eastern neighbor, there was also an offer addressed to Natus Vincere, who was staying in Katowice at the time, or any other Ukrainian organization that needed help. The organization offered to rent its gaming house in Tarnów for free.
Gaming has not forgotten about Ukraine
When discussing the subject of esport, one cannot forget about the computer games industry. The GSC Game World company from Ukraine issued a decisive message towards the community. This is a company that has been working on the long-awaited sequel to STALKER in recent years
Just a few hours after the start of the invasion of Russian troops, an entry addressed to the general public appeared on GSC Game World’s Twitter feed. – Russia has declared war on Ukraine. We don’t know what will happen in the future, but we do believe in our country and the armed forces. Please: do not be indifferent and show support to those in need – reads the statement of the studio representative, including the bank account number. Each payment made on it is to be transferred to the Ukrainian army.
The largest Polish game studio, CD PROJEKT RED, also decided to take action. The creators of The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077, in addition to expressing their sadness about the ensuing situation, focused on showing solidarity. The company donated one million zlotys to the Polish Humanitarian Action. At the same time, they call for action by others, because, as they indicate, no one should remain indifferent to such blatant injustice.
Buy the game and support Ukraine
11 bit studios decided to provide unique assistance to Ukraine. A few years ago, a Polish company published the game This War of Mine, the task of which is to convey anti-war values to players. The title tells directly about the suffering of civilians affected by the war, and it was these people that the studio decided to help.
11 bit studios decided to donate any proceeds from the sale of the game and its add-ons that will be generated during the seven days following the Russian invasion, to charity. The funds will go to the Ukrainian Red Cross, whose current mission is to directly support outside victims of the conflict.
Esport is beyond politics
If the discussed activities of various entities from the esports and computer games area bring an effect, they should be considered a success. Regardless of whether they originate from a deep need to provide help or constitute marketing activities. There is one goal of all organizations or enterprises – to draw attention to the urgent problem of the Russian attack on Ukraine and to support the country as much as possible in the unequal fight against the aggressor.
– I would like you to know that esport is above politics. Players from different countries as well as you [widzowie] you have nothing to do with government decisions – said Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev, Ukrainian Counter-Strike star, during IEM Katowice – We all want peace for Ukraine and for the whole world. We need to show an example: to support each other as a community and, above all, to be people for ourselves.
Source: Sport
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
