The Ukrainian studio GSC Game World, best known for the cult classic S.T.A.L.K.E.R. franchise, has joined the “Flag of Independence” charity initiative.
This was announced by the nonprofit organization Ukraine WOW.
To mark the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s declaration of independence, Ukraine WOW, in collaboration with the “Come Back Alive” Foundation and with the support of the Verkhovna Rada, recreated the iconic flag that Vyacheslav Chornovil and Ivan Zayets brought into the Verkhovna Rada on August 24, 1991. This is a replica of the seven-meter blue-and-yellow flag that became one of the symbols of the restoration of Ukrainian statehood.
As part of the project, a limited edition of 1,000 copies was produced. Each flag has its own serial number and comes with a postcard bearing Ivan Zayets’s personal signature.
GSC Game World purchased two copies of the “Flag of Independence” at once, thereby contributing to the fundraising effort for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. A historical replica of the flag can be obtained for a charitable donation of 40,000 hryvnias. It comes with a certificate and a postcard signed by Ivan Zayets.
All funds raised will be used to purchase ground-based robotic systems for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
How GSC Game World Represents Ukraine on the World Stage
GSC Game World was founded in Kyiv in 1995, and over the course of more than three decades, the studio has become one of the most renowned names in the Ukrainian gaming industry. In 2024, the company released S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl—a sequel to the cult classic series—which the team developed amid a full-scale war.
The game’s development and subsequent evolution were fraught with numerous challenges, including Russian cyberattacks and data leaks. Despite this, GSC Game World continued working on the project, paying significant attention to its Ukrainian identity. The Ukrainian origins of the studio and the game are evident not only in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 but also in the upcoming expansion—this is particularly noticeable in the released screenshots of the DLC.
GSC Game World is owned by entrepreneur Maksym Krippa. The studio has also previously participated in the interactive exhibition “Ukraine WOW,” where S.T.A.L.K.E.R. was featured as one of Ukraine’s cultural phenomena. The exhibition highlighted that the series has become not just a well-known game, but part of a modern Ukrainian cultural myth known far beyond the country’s borders.
In addition to developing games, GSC Game World is also involved in projects that raise awareness of issues important to Ukraine. These include “Chornobyl Stories,” featuring the memories of liquidators and their descendants,” a joint campaign with the State Emergency Service on mine safety, as well as participation in Gamescom and other international events.
Other well-known Ukrainian companies have also joined the charitable initiative, including “Planeta Kino,” “Galychyna,” robota.ua, OKKO, “Aurora,” and many others. In total, over 300 flags were distributed on the project’s first day.