Zarya News

[p][/p][p][/p][p]SBSR on the line! Ahead of the New Year, we’ve gathered the most accurate answers to the most pressing questions and spiced them up with some truly wonderful artwork.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]Where have you been? No news for a while![/h2][p][/p][p]Where are the roads?[/p][p][/p][p]Right now, we’re actively preparing a build for publishers, as well as working on a pitch and presentation. This version takes up all of our attention.
It’s a build with the core mechanics. Everything essential is collected there to show how the game feels and works overall.[/p][p]At the same time, we’re already talking with publishers and considering different options to choose what’s best for the game. This version only needs a bit more polishing, and after that we’ll be able to move on to preparing a playtest build for players. As soon as there’s news, we’ll share it.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]What about the demo?[/h2][h3][/h3][p]Pick up packages, carry packages, load packages[/p][p][/p][p]Well, here’s the thing. Initially, we planned to make a small game with a couple of puzzles and mini-games.
But you stirred things up so much on the internet that now we simply can’t make it small.[/p][p]Over many months, the game has changed a lot, and right now we’re moving at full speed toward a publisher build. After that, we’ll work on a playtest version for players.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Throw it on the roof![/p][p][/p][p]Be sure to sign up. If anyone was worried, we haven’t given access to anyone yet, so you definitely haven’t missed anything.[/p][p]Send your request on the game’s Steam page.[/p][p][/p][h2][/h2][p]Nice place here[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]What kind of help do you need?[/h2][h3][/h3][p]Deliver it! Don’t lose it on the way![/p][p][/p][p]Tell your friends about the game, like, repost, add it to your Steam Wishlist. And sign up for the playtest.[/p][p]That’s where your help will really matter to us.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h2]Will it be on consoles? Mac? Steam Deck? Which stores? Can I buy it at a local shop?[/h2][p][/p][p]Legend![/p][h3][/h3][p]Steam will be the first store, and we want to support Steam Deck right at release.[/p][p]Everything else will be considered as our capabilities allow. So if you ask, Do you want to release on X? the answer will most likely be Yes.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]Will there be a first-person view?[/h2][p][/p][p]We actually ran an experiment like that. It looked very strange.[/p][p]In reality, a first-person view would make development about three times harder. We remind you that we’re a small team of just a few people, so we decided to focus on a single camera.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h2]Controller support?[/h2][p]A bucket of bolts, what’s there to twist anyway?[/p][p][/p][p]Absolutely. Moreover, the game is being designed with gamepad controls in mind from the very beginning.[/p][p]But don’t worry, we won’t forget about mouse and keyboard either.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]Will there be real cars? UAZ, VAZ, Volga?[/h2][h3][/h3][p]Classics, only the boss has those![/p][p][/p][p]We’d really love to, but that’s a huge legal effort that we definitely can’t handle. And globally, only a few teams do this.[/p][p]Most importantly, don’t be upset. Our goal is different: to make every vehicle evoke warm feelings, regardless of what badge is on the hood.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]What mechanics will there be?[/h2][h3][/h3][p]Take only what you really need![/p][p][/p][p]Game development is a long process, and everything is constantly changing.
Right now, we’re testing Vasiliy a lot. We drive him through fields, sink him in puddles, throw suitcases around, and check how he feels and what can be improved.[/p][p]It’s important for us to make the game carefully and with quality, so we’re not rushing and we’re experimenting a lot.
Fishing, grilling shashlik, and car collecting will definitely be there.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]Will you take part in exhibitions?[/h2][h3][/h3][p]I’d like to go fishing too.[/p][p][/p][p]We’d really love to. It would be great to meet you in person, or at least part of the community.[/p][p]If a suitable opportunity comes up, we’ll definitely try to take part.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]When is the release?[/h2][p]When is the release? Well, we’re already discussing it.[/p][p][/p][p]It’s too early to talk about a release date, but we’re moving toward it through clear stages.[/p][p]Right now it’s the publisher build, then a playtest for players, and after that we’ll talk about timelines.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h3]We truly appreciate your patience. You genuinely influence the game![/h3][p][/p][p]🔮 Discord: https://discord.gg/F5vTmE49Ux[/p][p]🔊 Telegram: https://t.me/game_zarya[/p][p]✌️ VK Community: https://vk.com/zarya_game[/p][p]🎥 YouTube: [dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]✉️ Email: [email protected]

We’re happy to read ALL your messages! Thank you for your support! ❤️

[dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]

Mudrunner in the style of Disco Elysium is maybe not the most obvious videogame mashup imaginable, but that's pretty much what seems to be going on with Zarya, an upcoming "narrative simulator" about a guy named Vasily who's just trying to earn a living and do the occasional solid for his friends in a deeply rural post-Soviet backwater...
Read more.

F.A.Q. / Frequently Asked Questions.

❓ Tech:
Will there be track-based vehicles and other types of transport, including motorcycles, in the game? Are there plans to add new vehicles in the future?
📝 Answer: Currently, we have planned several Classic and Legendary Soviet cars.

We are open to your requests to add new unique cars. Send us your ideas, and we will definitely consider them. For example, the addition of the ZIL truck was suggested by one of our followers, and soon, we will be able to present our version of this truck.

❓ Story and Quests:
Will the game offer a linear progression or provide choices?
📝 Answer: There is a small amount of choice that mostly affects the rewards Vasily gets from completing tasks and helping villagers. However, we hint at a minor "love interest" for Vasily, which will develop depending entirely on you 😘.

❓ Participation in Testing:
Many want to know about the possibility of participating in alpha or beta testing and how they can support the development team?
📝 Answer: Such an opportunity will definitely be available. Keep an eye on our Discord channel for news. The most active participants will get a key to test the DEMO version of the game. We will announce this on our social networks, but we can't speak about the timelines just yet.

❓ About the Team:
Tell us about the team, is it possible to join, and what does SBSR mean?

📝 Answer: First off, let’s clarify what SBSR is.
Originally, SBSR is a fictional post-Soviet state that emerged in the lore of the game in the late '90s to early '00s. We chose this name for our creative union because it seemed brief and succinct to us.


SBSR consists of three experienced developers with over 10 years in game development each. The main 3D modeler/artist, Unity programmer, and designer. Each of us has a portfolio of several mobile games, including both released and developing projects on Steam apart from “Zarya”. We also want to note that “Zarya” is being created in our spare time, so the development is slow (but heartfelt!), and we can’t take on new team members on a full-time basis or as mentors to avoid spreading our focus too thin and prolonging the timelines.

❓ Multiplayer and Co-op:
Will there be multiplayer, including cooperative or other online modes?

📝 Answer: At this stage, any online component for “Zarya” would significantly impact the development speed. We are confident that after the release of the main version, we will definitely consider such a possibility.

❓ Technical Aspects:
Tell us more about the technical nuances. What tools are used for development? What engine does the game use? Share details about the rendering and game camera modes.

📝 Answer: The game is developed using Unity 2022, with the Universal Rendering Pipeline. Cars use a custom solution for simulating suspension, engine, and wheels. For grass rendering, a heavily modified Brute Force Grass Shader is used.

The main game camera is pseudo-isometric, from a top-down view. In cut-scenes, camera angles are set freely to showcase characters and landscapes.

Models are created from scratch in Blender, and texturing is close to pixel art, PSX style, and games from the 2000s. We have a special visual style, and we stick to it.

❓ Release and Platforms:
Release date, game price, platforms?

📝 Answer: It is very important for us to adjust development after releasing the free DEMO version of “Zarya” for everyone in 2024. After that, it will be easier for us to estimate the time until the final version's release.

We intend to make purchasing the game as convenient as possible for all CIS users. Players are our top priority.

We are pleased to inform you that the team at VK Play has already contacted us and will help with placing “Zarya” on their platform, if there is demand.

Currently, we are fully focused on the PC / Steam version. After testing, we will decide on porting to other platforms. We can definitely say that a SteamDeck version will be available; we have experience in porting.

The final cost of the game is not yet determined; we would like to hear your opinion on this matter.

❓ Gameplay Features:
Will there really be fishing and the opportunity to grill kebabs in the game?

📝 Answer: We will definitely try to add many interesting and deep mechanics. Such mechanics will somehow be integrated into the gameplay, either as mini-games or as part of the main story.


We will make everything as authentic as possible. We hope not to disappoint you.

❓ Additional Content: Will there be art books, music, video diaries, merch? Is it possible to support the project through crowdfunding?

📝 Answer: We are currently considering partnerships with some music labels so that later you can enjoy the official soundtracks of the game. This will help the project sound better and support domestic composers and performers.

And by the way! We are happy to listen to YOUR tracks and, if possible, implement them in the game. Write to us on social networks and send your work!

We note that entering crowdfunding is not planned at this moment, as it is not necessary for us now.
“ZARYA” is created in our spare time from our main jobs. If you want to support the project and help us - be sure to add it to your Wishlist on Steam and tell your friends about the project! This is the best support for us now!

❓ How to contact the development team for offering help, job opportunities, or feedback.

📝 Answer: We want to thank those who are ALREADY helping the project and contributing to the development of “Zarya”!

Special thanks to graphic designer Misha “uyle” for developing the new logo design for “Zarya” - https://t.me/m_uyle

And thanks for helping with the trailer's sound to Alexey. Quality work with sound!

Write to us in any available social networks!

🔮 Discord - https://discord.gg/F5vTmE49Ux

🔊 Telegram channel - https://t.me/game_zarya

✌️ VK community - https://vk.com/zarya_game

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SBSR-games

✉️ Email (for collaboration) - [email protected]

We enjoy reading and try to respond to ALL your letters! Thank you for your support!

P.S. A small note

Above, in the information about ourselves, we mentioned that at our main jobs we also develop games, and Zarya is a hobby project that we do in our free time.

Two of our three developers have been working on the project Genopanic for over 3 years, and it will be released on Steam on May 17!

If you are a fan of juicy pixel art, platformers, and sci-fi adventures - we would appreciate your support - it would really help us now! ❤️

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1984190

Dear friends and fans, ⭐

We want to express our deepest gratitude for the incredible support you have shown since the announcement of "Zarya". ❤ Your passion, feedback, and engagement not only inspire us but also help make the project better.

Special thanks to Granger(DTF), Igromania, StopGame, BadComedian, Wylsacom, the STEAMиздат chat, the Confa gd project, and everyone-everyone-everyone who saw and highlighted the game announcement. 👏🎉

We are delighted to see how "Zarya" unites our entire gaming community, and not only in the CIS, and are grateful for every comment you leave on social networks and media. Your support inspires us to continue working on new content and improvements that will make the game even more cozy and interesting.

We highly value your suggestions and are open to dialogue, as we strive to make "Zarya" as comfortable and engaging for you as possible. Remember, every feedback, every repost, and recommendation to friends helps the domestic game development community grow and develop. 💪

Thank you for becoming part of our story. We promise to continue working tirelessly to convey our vision of that very soulful, warm, rural atmosphere. 🏡💖

❓ Leave your questions and comments under this post.
We will soon publish an FAQ on frequently asked questions.

[h3]Join us:
[/h3]
Official Discord server - https://discord.gg/ZtWuZHj48r

Telegram channel - https://t.me/game_zarya



Steam game page
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2786710/Zarya/

Have a good trip!

With a tremble in our hearts and gratitude, The SBSR Team