Mick Gordon hopes to do good amid controversy around Mundfish
Composer Mick Gordon has announced that he will be donating his entire work fees for the upcoming Atomic Heart to the Red Cross Organization to send relief to Ukraine.
Atomic Heart is an upcoming first-person shooter, set in a dystopian future where the USSR won the Cold War and extended its technological might. The game features an art style that has a heavy emphasis on USSR propaganda and hints of elements that resemble BioShock. The game has been in development for several years with its release now just right around the corner.
This hasn’t stopped the game from falling into controversy, however. With the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022, developer studio Mundfish has been put under immense scrutiny. While the studio is based in Cyprus the team originates from Russia, which has led to some criticism around their support for the war and possible glamorization of the USSR. Mundfish has remained mum for the most part regarding these critiques, only broadly denouncing war and stating that they are a “pro-peace organization”.
Ahead of the game’s release on February 20, the composer of the title Mick Gordon has announced that he will be donating his fees for the game to the Red Cross as a way to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. In a Twitter post, Gordon outlines his philosophy behind the donation, his exact contributions to Atomic Heart, and his experiences working with Mundfish. Gordon says he began working with Mundfish in 2020, two years before the conflict arose.
He saw Atomic Heart as a perfect blend for his compositions, which use Soviet-era synthesizers, and was excited by the opportunity to be a part of the project. He said that working with Mundfish was an “absolute delight” and that the studio “prioritise[s] imagination and artistic freedom.” Gordon also stressed that it is important to “support pro-peace organizations, stand up for what is right and help those in need, especially during times of crisis”.
Speaking to Kotaku Gordon had this to say about his donation and if it acts as a statement for Mundfish, “The conflict in Ukraine has caused immense suffering and displacement for countless individuals and communities, and I wanted to do my part in providing support and relief to those affected… My donation was an independent decision, and I cannot speak on behalf of the studio or their charitable contributions”. Mundfish has yet to comment on Gordon’s contribution.
Gordon has also stated in his response that the donation is a call to action for those around the world to show support however they can, via monetary donation or otherwise, “I hope that other individuals and organizations will join in supporting the Ukrainian people during this difficult time.”
