Alfina, Narrative Designer at Unfrozen, sums up 2021 in games, sums up the year for the gaming industry, and Alfina's top games of 2021

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In my observations, 2021 has become a landmark year for the Russian gaming industry. The successes we have seen this year have become possible thanks to many years of development and strengthening of the sector. The industry is gradually blossoming, and this is a milestone worth celebrating for both gaming professionals and gamers. We see Russian developers beginning to establish themselves on the international stage, creating high-quality and in-demand products. This suggests that the future of the gaming industry in Russia looks promising.

2021 has been a significant year for me and the company I work for. This year brought both positive and negative aspects. On the one hand, we achieved significant success in implementing projects, which allowed us to strengthen our position in the market and attract new clients. We implemented new technologies and optimized work processes, which increased the overall productivity of the team.

On the other hand, there were also difficulties. The pandemic continued to impact our work, creating additional challenges in communicating with clients and partners. Some planned projects had to be postponed, which affected the company's financial performance. Nevertheless, we learned from these difficulties and adapted to the changing conditions.

Thus, 2021 can be characterized as a time of growth and adaptation, which opened up new opportunities for development.

In January of this year, the Russian localization of Disco Elysium was released, a project I worked on with the talented team of translators from Testronic. This game stands out for its complex plot, clever presentation, and deep emotional component, making the localization one of the most interesting projects of my career. The results of our work were warmly received by the audience, and I am proud of my findings, which added a unique touch to the translation. This event was a significant achievement for me this year.

While it may seem amusing, translation failure also has its consequences. I have to admit that working on Disco Elysium significantly influenced my interest in translation. After that game, I found it difficult to find anything else that could resonate with me in the same way. The level of translation challenges I encountered in Disco Elysium is unfortunately rare in video games. Therefore, I've decided to temporarily step away from localization and focus on narrative design. This direction allows me to develop my skills and work with stories on a new level.

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Game localization is a more complex process than it might seem at first glance. Gaming industry experts emphasize the importance of high-quality content adaptation for different languages ​​and cultures. This involves more than just translating the text; it also takes into account cultural specifics, creating a deeper connection with players. Proper localization helps improve the perception of a game, expand its audience, and enhance its commercial success. Professional localizers work to preserve not only the meaning but also the atmosphere of the original, which requires meticulous work and a deep understanding of both cultures. Thus, high-quality game localization is a key factor in their international success.

This year, as a narrative designer, I changed jobs and joined the St. Petersburg studio Unfrozen, which is developing a large indie RPG/strategy game for PC. I feel integral to all the processes I mentioned earlier. However, I'll have to wait a while before the results of my work are available to the public.

Recently, I had the pleasure of writing texts for the exciting game Loop Hero. This project struck me with its originality and unique approach to gameplay. Every element of the game, from the mechanics to the visual style, inspires creativity and creates an atmosphere that leaves a deep impression. Working on the texts for Loop Hero was a real joy and allowed me to understand the world of this game deeper.

Interview with the Loop Hero developers: experience participating in game jams, collaborating with a major publisher, and recommendations for aspiring game designers. In this interview, the authors share their experiences creating a unique game, discuss the importance of game jams for developing ideas and skills, and discuss how working with major publishers influences the development process. They also offer valuable advice to those just starting out in the video game industry.

In 2022, we expect significant changes in the gaming industry due to technological advancements and changing user preferences. We plan to focus on introducing new game mechanics and improving the user experience. This will primarily focus on the integration of virtual and augmented reality, as well as the development of cloud gaming services. These areas will allow us to create more immersive and accessible games for a wider audience. Furthermore, we intend to actively work to improve content quality and optimize gameplay to ensure our projects meet modern requirements and player expectations.

The video game industry will continue to grow. Firstly, it is still unclear whether the world, including Western countries, has overcome the effects of the pandemic. Secondly, even if this is the case, many experts believe that people's habits have changed forever: during lockdowns, the number of gamers increased significantly. This change in user behavior could lead to new trends and opportunities for game developers and publishers.

The domestic gaming industry will continue to grow, and this is not just an assumption, but a firm belief. Currently, new projects are being announced, including those that I was fortunate to work on. The development of domestic game development opens up new opportunities for players and creates competitive products in the global market.

I expect that flowering will continue.

The game released in 2021 that most strongly attracted my attention is definitely Resident Evil Village. This project continues the tradition of the series, offering players a gripping storyline, interesting characters and stunning graphics. The game mechanics combine elements of horror and action, creating a unique atmosphere. It is also worth noting that Resident Evil Village improved on many aspects of its predecessors, introducing new gameplay mechanics and expanding the world, making it one of the most memorable games of 2021.

"Black Book" is an amazing game, and I'm genuinely glad it was released. While it's not perfect in terms of expression and design, that doesn't matter. Its main value lies in its unique approach and a captivating storyline that captivates you from the very first minute. Players are immersed in a world full of mysteries and challenging choices, making the gameplay truly immersive.

There are many people deeply fascinated by regional folklore who have created a unique story. This game's plot goes beyond myths about demons and wood spirits. It includes inserts of direct speech from real informants and scholarly texts analyzing folklore. These materials likely go unnoticed by most people who aren't ethnographers or folklorists. In ordinary life, you might simply skim through them, finding nothing of interest. However, this game aims to draw your attention to these topics. This isn't a commercial endeavor, but a sincere desire by the authors to share their passion and the value of this material. They bring these rare and important aspects of folklore out of their niche and present them to a wider audience. I was especially pleased when the official Russian Twitter account mentioned Black Book—it's nice to see that support extends beyond traditional patriotism to genuine cultural values.

The game's design, while not its primary focus, is engaging. Exploring the game world and gradually building your deck is a positive experience, as each card reveals aspects of the environment. The graphics may seem simple, but they are often offset by creative visuals and carefully crafted plans. This creates a captivating experience for players, allowing them to become deeply immersed in the game's atmosphere.

Playing Black Book has given me incredible pleasure that goes beyond simple gameplay. This pleasure is existential in nature and makes me reflect on life's deepest questions. I'm confident the world will be a better place if there are more games like Black Book. Their unique ability to combine engaging storytelling with philosophical reflection makes them essential to the modern gaming landscape.