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Game and Safety: How Ukrainian S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Is Helping Raise Awareness About Landmines in Ukraine
Ukrainian rescuers from State Emergency Service of Ukraine and marketing agency Rockets. Growth R&D are teaming up with the iconic video game hero Skif from S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl to warn teenagers about landmine dangers, as nearly a quarter of the country remains contaminated with explosives.
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According to rescuers on September 12, around 23% of Ukraine’s territory remains potentially dangerous due to landmines and explosive contamination.
The events of the game unfold in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, which in reality was temporarily occupied and mined, making it a symbolic location to demonstrate safety rules in hazardous conditions.
In a video sequence created using S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, Skif explains the basic rules of mine safety: do not approach or touch suspicious objects; if you notice a threat—return along the same path and call 101.
“S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is a phenomenon that captivates young people. That’s why we decided to show natively what these explosive objects look like on our territory. The launch has already taken place. In the game, you can already test all of this — but not in real life. In real life, you must not approach, not touch, and instead contact the specialized services,” said Serhii Artemenko, Creative Director of the creative marketing agency Rockets. Growth R&D.
The aim of the project is to reach young gamers, the most vulnerable audience, who according to a 2024 study by UNICEF Ukraine and Rating Group, are most likely to engage in risky behavior.
“Previously, schools used to hand out leaflets, but that no longer really works. That’s why our project involved very creative work—not only to convey the information correctly, but also to deliver the right message. This is a good example of how we should communicate with a young audience,” noted the Deputy Head of the State Emergency Service.
Earlier, the Ukrainian video game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl topped global sales charts on the Steam platform just hours ahead of its official release.
