about 3 years ago - /u/moxjet200 - Direct link

Hello Travelers,

I want to speak briefly on the happenings involving Ukraine and Russia that is near and dear to our studio. Eleventh Hour Games is a completely remote development studio, now spanning over a dozen countries, and contains team members in both of the countries involved in this conflict.

Our hearts are broken for all of our wonderful team members, their friends, families, and countrymen that are impacted by this situation - both within the Ukrainian and Russian borders. They have been thrown into a horrific and turbulent situation that they have no control over. These EHG team members have had an opportunity to work together and form relationships with those that their countries are now involved in combat with. They are deeply worried, and deeply saddened and do not want conflict with their next door brothers and sisters.

Something that I am truly grateful for is our studio's global team providing us perspective and insight into the lives of many people across the world and the clear ability to see just how similar we truly are. I know, for a fact, that when you bring people from multiple parts of the world together to work towards common goals that you get results, valuable perspectives, and create great friendships. Internally we cherish learning about one another's differences, but what is clear at times like this is that there is even more value in learning the vast similarities of our team members in other locations.

I'm optimistic about the future as we continue to create digital mediums that allow us to interact with those across great distances and our populations continue to gain these perspectives. Hopefully the next generations will continue to develop an understanding of just how similar we truly are and will come to the realization that harming individuals that also have their own families, loved ones, and lives is unthinkable and unjustifiable.

Our thoughts, prayers, resources, and ability to provide support are with our Ukrainian and Russian team members at this time.

CEO & Game Director for Last Epoch,
-Judd Cobler

External link →
about 3 years ago - /u/moxjet200 - Direct link

Hello Travelers,

I want to speak briefly on the happenings involving Ukraine and Russia that is near and dear to our studio. Eleventh Hour Games is a completely remote development studio, now spanning over a dozen countries, and contains team members in both of the countries involved in this conflict.

Our hearts are broken for all of our wonderful team members, their friends, families, and countrymen that are impacted by this situation - both within the Ukrainian and Russian borders. They have been thrown into a horrific and turbulent situation that they have no control over. These EHG team members have had an opportunity to work together and form relationships with those that their countries are now involved in combat with. They are deeply worried, and deeply saddened and do not want conflict with their next door brothers and sisters.

Something that I am truly grateful for is our studio's global team providing us perspective and insight into the lives of many people across the world and the clear ability to see just how similar we truly are. I know, for a fact, that when you bring people from multiple parts of the world together to work towards common goals that you get results, valuable perspectives, and create great friendships. Internally we cherish learning about one another's differences, but what is clear at times like this is that there is even more value in learning the vast similarities of our team members in other locations.

I'm optimistic about the future as we continue to create digital mediums that allow us to interact with those across great distances and our populations continue to gain these perspectives. Hopefully the next generations will continue to develop an understanding of just how similar we truly are and will come to the realization that harming individuals that also have their own families, loved ones, and lives is unthinkable and unjustifiable.

Our thoughts, prayers, resources, and ability to provide support are with our Ukrainian and Russian team members at this time.

CEO & Game Director for Last Epoch,
-Judd Cobler

External link →
about 3 years ago - /u/moxjet200 - Direct link

Originally posted by AChillBear

Last Epoch twitch primes donated to Ukrainian Red Cross?

Great idea. We'll make sure we set up next weeks dev stream to go to an appropriate related charity.

about 3 years ago - /u/moxjet200 - Direct link

Originally posted by justchasingentropy

If citizens in Russia don't have access to Western entertainment and goods they'll be more likely to cause problems for their government. We can't just keep passing the buck if we ever want a better world. No one forced EHG to give us their useless thoughts and prayers, but if they want to open their mouths with lip service they should back it up with action.

I agree that more needs to be done than saying “thoughts and prayers” which is why you see a couple additional list items tacked on to that statement. The world seems to be all too comfortable just saying “thoughts and prayers” and leaving it to that which also bothers me personally. We’re providing and promoting to those team members unlimited PTO and sending advanced payments as helpful. Admittedly, I doubt our smaller studio can turn any tides but we’re doing our best to provide stability and comfort to our colleagues that are impacted. I do understand your sentiment but I hope someone sees this and considers that perhaps not all Russians want what is happening right now, because it is saddening to see so many that don’t want this war being generalized and vilified, and perhaps actively seeks out a more global forum to connect with people and develop friendships. It’s something that has shaped my perspective and thinking fairly quickly, for what I believe is the better, and I wish that more people had a similar opportunity.

about 3 years ago - /u/moxjet200 - Direct link

Originally posted by PrimeKronos

Some well said things. But pretty disappointing you have not condemned Russias invasion in this post.

Edit: opps I forgot to add the “not” after “have”!! Indeed f**k Putin!

To be clear, I completely and utterly condemn Russia invading Ukraine. It is unimaginably evil what is happening. I just know that it’s not what all Russian citizens want and sympathize with the enormous Russian population who feel embarrassed and ashamed of their governments actions at this time.

about 3 years ago - /u/moxjet200 - Direct link

Originally posted by onikzin

Not taking a side (which counts as taking a side) and not offering relocation to employees from both countries? Very weak statement, disappointed, might I even say radio silence would be better than this.

We’ve actually brought up relocation but beyond helping pay for it and giving the time off it would necessitate there’s not much we can do in that regard. As a remote studio we have employees work from different locations quite often and I encourage people traveling and visiting one another as long as they can still reliably contribute to the development of Last Epoch. However, most people are rooted in their locations firmly due to friends and family and even during wartime don’t consider relocation a real option.