In the world of Atomic Heart, Dr. Sechenov plays a key role. As the director of Facility 3826, he is the embodiment of breakneck progress and ambitious projects. His name is associated with the creation of robotics, neuropolymers, and the Kollektiv Neural Networks 1.0 and 2.0. Sechenov is one of the most enigmatic and multilayered characters of the game. A former neurosurgeon, he became a pioneer in polymeric technology and the Kollektiv system by forming a team of eminent scientists around him. His work ushered in revolutionary changes to the science and technology of the game's alternative world.
Early sketches of the Atomic Heart universe were drawn up by Mundfish cofounder and art director Arthur "Artep" Galeev well before development began. Since then, the concept of Sechenov has undergone several changes. After all, he was originally supposed to be the main antagonist. Here is how Artep himself tells the history of Sechenov's making:
"When we were coming up with an antagonist in the context of Belka's travels through Limbo (see "The History of Creation: Limbo"), the initial idea was based on the image of a scientist striving for the progress of humanity at any cost, regardless of the potential sacrifices. So, back in the early 2000s, Mr. Sponge, who lives in Limbo, was created. A capitalist scientist on par with Thomas Edison or Benjamin Franklin. At the time, I made a lot of sketches for this character and notes about him. He possesses untold wealth and opportunity, and he invests it all in scientific research and the creation of design offices around the world.
His office looks like the cross-section of a sponge. This design is also used for Sechenov's office in the high-rise Chelomey in the game. The sponge represents a natural fractal structure with a huge surface area that highlights the "capacity" for opportunities. Valuable artifacts are kept in the office, which is also reflected in the game. In Sechenov's cabinet, you can see part of his collection in the form of a turbojet and supersonic Concorde, which only serve as decoration and collect dust."
The image of the sponge and its scientific are inexhaustible for Artep. And the mad scientist who lives within this structure continues to inspire our art director with new ideas and adventures. For him, there is no direct vertical hierarchy in their system, since the entire structure entangles itself not only vertically, but horizontally as well—exactly like a sponge.
After some time, Artep concluded that the image of Mr. Sponge needed to be translated into the real world. This is how Sechin came to be, combining the features of a capitalist and a scientist. But closer to the start of the game's development, Sechin morphed into the head of Facility 3826 Sechenov, a direct analogue of the scientist.
Why are money and science Sechenov's essential, fundamental components? Behind the scenes of his activities lie the economic factors that ensured the success of his corporation, a hybrid of capitalism and socialism, both a state-run and market economy. In order to avoid political controversy, Sechenov possesses outstanding economical and political ability as both a capitalist and a socialist. This allows for people of any economic or political system to find something familiar in him. As a result, he is confident that any means of motivation is acceptable if it leads to progress, quality of life improvements, and the exploration of the planet and space.
Sechenov's character is inspired by Gary Oldman's role as Dr. Norton in 2014's Robocop—a charismatic, composed character. The embodiment of the mind, style, and secrecy, simultaneously exuding self-confidence. Sechenov can be seen as the Soviet Steve Jobs, the outstanding innovator. Sechenov's appearance was outlined in an old trailer where P-3 talks to his silhouette, but his final appearance and voice were developed later.
Sechenov is a constant contradiction. His noble intentions and desire for technological advancements collide with the devastating consequences of his actions. He is skilled at obscuring the truth, but at the same time never lies, which gives players the opportunity to decide whether he's good or evil.
The story of Atomic Heart is in many ways intertwined with Sechenov himself. His uncompromising pursuit of his goals makes him one of the most fascinating characters in the game. If you play the game again, listening carefully to his remarks, we believe you'll understand his motives and the consequences of his actions even better. After all, he's already said more than enough…
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☀️ Summer Sale is here! Explore the world of Atomic Heart with discounts up to 62% off on Steam! Special offers also apply to the Atomic Pass, DLC 1, and DLC 2. Don't miss out — offer is available till July 11, 10 AM (PST).
How did it all start? 🤔 We’re glad to share our Dev Diary, giving you a look at the journey that led to the creation of #AtomicHeart! Check it out, and thanks for your support 🫀
PATCH 1.14.4.0—LIST OF CHANGES
Hello everyone!
Patch 1.14.4.0 for Atomic Heart has been rolled out and is now available on all platforms. See the list of changes for this update below:
Added a list of achievements for Trapped in Limbo DLC 2*:
Apple Pie 3826 Collect 3,826 apples in the Trapped in Limbo DLC.
Conservationist Get a gold coin without shooting the Pchela.
The Casino Isn't Always in the Black Get ALL items from the slot machine.
Slashing Through the Limbo Waves Complete the Plateau of Responsibility without dying.
Conqueror of Annapurna Complete the Tower of Memory without dying.
Conqueror of Chomolungma Complete the Cliff of Perseverance without dying.
Daring as a Bullet is Sharp Complete the Avenue of Speed without dying.
Don't Mess With the Major Complete the Trapped in Limbo DLC without dying.
Gold Rush Collect 76 gold coins.
Overkill Secret achievement: description hidden.
*After installing the update, some achievements may be unlocked automatically during the first launch if their conditions have already been met.
MAIN - PC ONLY
Added Ray Tracing (beta) support in 3 modes**:
Performance
Quality
Balanced
**Requires a graphics card supporting DXR with at least 12 GB of memory for proper operation. When these modes are activated, the enabled Fidelity FX Super Resolution setting is automatically disabled. When this mode is enabled, the player’s character is not reflected in mirror surfaces.
Sound and localization
Fixed issues with missing sound/music in various places in Annihilation Instinct DLC 1.
Fixed various text display issues in the main game, as well as in Annihilation Instinct DLC 1 and Trapped in Limbo DLC 2.
Gameplay and stability
Fixed a rare bug that caused the game to freeze during the separation of the BEA-D swarm in Annihilation Instinct DLC 1.
Fixed a bug where loading an autosave that occurs after moving from a location with a recombination schematic to an elevator causes a crash outside the game world in Annihilation Instinct DLC 1.
Added highlighting for disappearing platforms in the arena with RAF-9 Engineer (Rafik) in Trapped in Limbo DLC 2.
Changed the number of apples that are awarded to the player for participating in the gun range in Trapped in Limbo DLC 2.
Fixed various graphical bugs, rare errors and crashes, and improved the overall stability of the game.
OTHERS - PC ONLY
Fixed crashes that occurred when disabling the Fidelity FX Super Resolution setting.
Removed the ability to assign multiple actions to one key at once.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SOLVING SOME ISSUES
We cannot provide support if the Atomic Heart game client has been modified by any third-party software. If this happens, you should uninstall this software and reinstall the game.
Warning: this article contains spoilers for the main game and DLCs!
Hello there! We're back with a new episode of the Creating segment. This time, we're delving into the story of one of the most controversial characters in the world of Atomic Heart—Stockhausen.
Michael Stockhausen (real name Goldenzweig) was a German scientist of Jewish origin who worked as a doctor in Berlin during World War II. During the first outbreaks of the Brown Plague, he survived the horrors running rampant in Berlin and was rescued by Soviet troops. Stockhausen managed to survive thanks to the help of the Soviet troops and the bold decision to change his name using forged documents. Previously known for his phenomenal memory, he was truly unique in his field. However, the disease changed him forever, depriving him of this ability.
Nevertheless, retaining his keen intellect and cunning, Stockhausen rose to the top of the career ladder, demonstrating his abilities in management and scheming. Being among the Facility's employees from the German Soviet Socialist Republic quota, he became one of the most important members of the Kollektiv, earning Sechenov's respect. He was awarded the Facility 3826's badge of distinction for his contribution to the popularization of science; however, Stockhausen hides the true motives behind his actions, which are not always clear-cut. His image is particularly inspired by the parrot Iago from Aladdin—a sly character who is ready to switch sides to suit his own interests. He always demonstrates dexterity and flexibility in achieving his objectives.
Since Stockhausen was not added to the story in the early stages of development, the team didn't have to carry out any iterations on his appearance. From the beginning, it was decided that he would dress like a typical bureaucrat.
However, his character didn't always match his final image—there were talks of making him less serious. For example, at the very beginning of the game on Chelomey, there was a planned dialogue between Stockhausen and a reporter about his experience of whaling and how exactly his activities became the starting point for research that preceded the launch of the Kollektiv. And since Michael had difficulty speaking Russian in this dialogue, the reporter didn't understand what Stock was talking about, which forced him to switch to Sechenov's speech, adding humor to the situation.
Also, according to one of the original story lines, in the Hospital, located above the Pavlov Complex, P-3 encountered terrifying mutants. Although they were blind, they possessed terrible strength. Nechaev remained in contact with Stockhausen, who made calls to distract the monsters. Meanwhile, Michael alternated between eating a sandwich and being more afraid of the situation than P-3 himself, attracting the mutants' attention and causing a disturbance. However, according to the further unused scenario, after the events in the Theater, Michael began to wonder whether launching the Kollektiv could indeed be dangerous. As Sechenov's main assistant in this endeavor, in Pavlov, Stockhausen sought solace in alcohol and complained to P-3 about his fate. By that time, Nechaev began to display a more friendly attitude toward Michael, and even a friendship began to develop between them. The climax was supposed to be a scene where Stockhausen revealed his cards to Viktor, framing him, and scheming to conquer Larisa Filatova.
Later, a decision was made to move away from the comedic approach in favor of a more serious portrayal of the character. As a result, a rather contradictory but very interesting anti-hero was created, whose storyline led to an unexpected outcome. After the explosion orchestrated by Larisa, Stock dies. However, in the scene with the Twins after the inspection, we see Sechenov using the Jelly Man to absorb the consciousness of the deceased Molotov into the array. Can we conclude, based on what we see of Stock's body, that he suffered the same fate as the latter?
According to the results of an Atomic Survey conducted among the players, Stockhausen failed to take one of the top positions among their favorite characters. But judging by the community's reaction, which never ceases to express its love for him, one cannot but begin to doubt those results.
Unveil the Twins with the Atomic Heart Limited-Edition Statue!
Hello everyone!
Step into the surreal realm of Atomic Heart with an exclusive opportunity to own the iconic Twin ballerinas immortalized in a meticulously crafted statue! Our 30 cm hand-painted resin masterpiece is a must-have for enthusiasts and collectors alike, offering a captivating glimpse into the game's enigmatic universe.
Craftsmanship Beyond Compare
Conceived and brought to life by Mundfish, this statue captures the beauty of Left and Right in their graceful balletic stance. Meticulously hand-painted and individually numbered, this 30 cm marvel consists of two distinct parts—the mesmerizing Twins and their celestial base!
Don't Miss Out
Seize this limited opportunity to claim your piece of Atomic Heart universe and join the ranks of those who dare to explore its mad and explosive world. Embrace the mystique of the Twins and invite their magnificent presence into your home today!
Happy National Labour Day! May your work be the source of joy and inspiration, and each new step brings you closer to your goals. Go forth, together with the Kollektiv🦾 Celebrate with Atomic Heart, available on Steam at up to 56% off now! ⌛️ Offer ends May 13: 🎮https://store.steampowered.com/app/668580/Atomic_Heart🎮
CREATING: GRANNY ZINA
Warning: this article contains spoilers for the main game and DLCs!
Hello! We are back with a new installment of our Creating series, and this time we want to tell you about our dear Zinaida Muravyova!
It's hard to imagine the Atomic universe without its heart—Granny Zina. She has been one of the central figures in Artem Galeev's concepts since the 2000s.
Granny Zina is an imposing character in the world of Atomic Heart. Zinaida Petrovna Muravyova, despite being 52 years old (at the start of the main game), remains an indomitable fighting spirit, capable of defeating enemies on her own.
Granny Zina maintains secret government communications under Sechenov, but reports directly to Khrushchev. However, after tragedy befell her daughter, she began to doubt Sechenov's ideals and blamed him for what happened to Ekaterina.
Granny Zina's character is a mixture of strength and determination, which she often hides behind a mask of temper and hysteria, tactfully playing on stereotypes about the incompetence of female officers. Despite this callous facade, she does care deeply for her daughter. Actress Irina Shanaeva helped bring the character to life in the game.
Granny Zina has extensive knowledge of activities inside the Facility, a high level of combat training, and access to various secret systems. With her powerful but well-disguised intellect and physical strength, she has become a superhero of sorts. Employees have long regarded her as a local celebrity. By studying various records and materials within Facility 3826, players will notice the high level of authority that she has earned among other employees.
Granny Zina's original image has undergone some changes since the early iterations of the game.
High-waisted tweed trousers, a shirt, and a sports coat are the key elements of her final costume, which is very much in keeping with classic British riding and sporting fashion. Granny Zina often went on business trips for government affairs, which inspired her to adopt English style for her image. She wears a headscarf to finish off her look. This style may seem unusual, but it definitely stands out to the general fashion of the Atomic Heart world.
Comment by Artem Galeev: "Her image and relationships with other characters are full of folklore motifs. For example, Sechenov represents Koshchei the Immortal, while Granny Zina represents Baba Yaga. Their relationships and roles have long been captured in various fairy tales."
As a reference to her fairy tale inspiration, she has a flying hut. The original plan was that the hut would function as a store, flying from place to place, but this idea was canceled during development, and NORA was created instead. Maybe she deserves her own story?
In addition to the hut, Granny Zina also has a miniature version called Iznakurnozh. It acts as a sort of pet, and Granny Zina refers to it as a "chipped chicken." Initially, Sechenov discovered this creature in the world of Limbo and took it as a trophy for research.
In the game, her role has changed many times, from a friendly granny, ready to help, to an antagonist. But her concept remains the same—she is an éminence grise, able to manipulate everyone for the benefit of the world's socio-political goals.
If you were inspired by the story of Granny Zina, you can become her with the help of our new cosplay guide. Follow the link to download it!
Don't forget to check out our previous entries in the Creating series. Dive deep into the world of Atomic Heart!
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