Release of Atomic Heart met with controversy due to racist cartoon and Russian ties

The launch of the video game Atomic Heart has been met with controversy, as developer Mundfish has faced backlash for its Russian ties amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, as well as criticism for including a racist cartoon in the game.

Atomic Heart, developed by Russian studio Mundfish, is set in an alternate universe where the Soviet Union never collapsed and features a blend of action, RPG, and horror elements.
The racist caricature appears in a Soviet-era cartoon that can be watched in the game's save rooms, which was widely criticized by gamers for its racist content. In response, Mundfish issued an apology and committed to editing the parts in question.

The Ukrainian government's Ministry of Digital Transformation has called for the game to be removed from digital storefronts in Ukraine, citing its potential toxicity and alleged ties to the Russian government. The government has also requested that Valve, Microsoft, and Sony consider limiting the game's distribution in other countries.

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has led to several games and entertainment companies pulling support in Russia, with many in the industry calling for support for Ukraine. Atomic Heart's ties to Russia have brought the game under further scrutiny, with the Ukrainian government urging users worldwide to avoid it.