Game Introduction

Game Introduction: This War of Mine

Overview

This War of Mine is a survival-themed war game developed and published by 11 bit studios. It was initially released for Windows, OS X, and Linux on November 14, 2014, followed by ports to iOS, Android, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and more. The game offers a unique perspective on war: instead of playing as a soldier, you control a group of civilians trying to survive in a besieged, war-torn city.

Genre & Core Mechanics

• Genre: Survival, strategy, simulation, with elements of horror and moral decision-making.


• Developer/Publisher: 11 bit studios (Poland).


• Engine: Custom engine (Unity-based).

Release Timeline & Platforms

Story Overview & Setting

The game is set in a fictional Eastern European city called Pogoren, besieged by rebel forces. You control a group of survivors—ordinary citizens like a former athlete, a lawyer, an elderly man, and a chef—who must endure the daily horrors of war. There is no single narrative; each playthrough generates a unique story based on your choices, survivor interactions, and random events.

Main Characters (Playable Survivors)

• Pavle – A professional football player; physically strong but emotionally fragile.


• Bruno – A chef; good at cooking efficient meals.


• Katia – A journalist; persuasive in trades.


• Marko – A firefighter; strong and fast.


• Roman – A former soldier; skilled in combat but volatile.


• Arica – A skilled thief; fast and quiet.


• Emilia – A lawyer; good at negotiating.


• Marin – A handyman; creates items with fewer resources.


• Zlata – A caring teenage girl; lifts morale but fragile.


• Borislav – An older man; knows gardening.


• Cveta – A mother; good at calming children.


• Ivan – A homeless artist; emotional and depressed.




Core Appeal




• Emotional storytelling: The game forces you to make hard choices—steal from the innocent, risk your life for supplies, or help strangers.


• Realistic mechanics: You must manage hunger, illness, depression, injuries, and even boredom.


• No heroes, no villains: Only survivors. The war is the enemy.




Target Audience




• Mature gamers (16+) who appreciate narrative depth, moral ambiguity, and strategic resource management.


• Fans of survival games (e.g., Don't Starve, Frostpunk) or war games that focus on civilian experience.


• People interested in social commentary and historical parallels (e.g., Siege of Sarajevo).




Game Modes




• Story Mode: Classic gameplay where you control a group of survivors until the war ends (randomised timeline).


• New Game+: Unlockable after completing Story Mode once; includes more characters and modified difficulty.


• Custom Scenarios: The The Little Ones DLC adds scenarios with children survivors.


• Endless Mode (via mods): Not official, but community-created.




Online/Offline Support




• Offline: Fully single-player, no internet required for core gameplay.


• Online: No multiplayer; but some platform versions support cloud saves and leaderboards for achievements.

DLC & Expansions

What Makes This War of Mine Unique

1. Civilian perspective: You don’t shoot enemies; you avoid them. Combat is rare and often desperate.
2. Moral depth: Every decision impacts survivors’ mental health and trust. Stealing a can of food might feed your group but haunt you forever.
3. Dynamic world: Each playthrough is different—locations, events, and timing are randomised.
4. Emotional investment: Your survivors have names, personalities, and breaking points. If one dies, the loss feels real.
5. Inspired by real events: The game was influenced by the Siege of Sarajevo (1992–1996) and similar modern conflicts.

Why Play This War of Mine?

If you want a war game that challenges your morality, tests your survival instincts, and offers a deeply human story, this is it. It’s not about winning—it’s about enduring. And sometimes, enduring is the greatest victory.