Colonizing Planets with Austro-Hungary: Galician Survival in the Game SAND

An Overview of “Sand,” the Open-World Dystopian Survival Game

In the realm of alternative futures, where the Austro-Hungarian Empire embarks on interplanetary journeys prior to World War I, a game titled “Sand” stands out. Developed by Hologryph, this multiplayer experience unfolds on the sandy planet of Sofia, populated by Ukrainian settlers during the empire’s era.

Early Stages of Development, but a Captivating World Emerges

Though “Sand” is still in its early developmental stages, it already showcases a breathtaking gaming universe in its trailers and illustrations. Game director Sergei Chernyshov reveals that the game drew inspiration from adventures with friends in “Sea of Thieves” and the sense of danger, risk, progress, and variability offered by “Rust.”

Chernyshov elaborates, “We have several ideas, but currently, we are focused on allowing players to build their orbital tramper bases, outfitting them with provisions, weapons, ammunition, and fuel, and then descending to the planet’s surface. Unlike typical games where looting takes just 30 minutes, in ‘Sand,’ you’ll be connected to the server for much longer.”

The Protagonists: Scavengers on a Quest

The main characters in the game are scavengers searching for valuable finds. On the planet’s surface, they will encounter not only PvE dangers but also other players vying for resources. The tramper, a walking mechanical apparatus, serves as players’ base, a means of exploring the world, and a storage for discovered resources. Players will pool their resources to create the ultimate base.

The Alluring Aesthetics of Planet Sofia

The procedurally generated aesthetic of the sandy planet Sofia will be complemented by unique structures inspired by the architecture of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, reminiscent of what can be found in western Ukraine and eastern Poland.

“It’s interesting,” Chernyshov remarks, “we tried to choose the best gaming world. It would be easy to opt for something like the American Wild West, right? However, we don’t necessarily need to travel to London to see its architecture—we can simply look out the window and find inspiration in Ukraine. We adore this aesthetic and are delighted to incorporate it into the gaming world.”

Maxim Khrapai, head of Hologryph, notes, “This region has a rich history that no game has covered yet—our industrial history before Soviet occupation, a significant part of our past. We aim to create something that doesn’t resemble science fiction. We draw inspiration from old Austro-Hungarian mechanisms and artifacts, applying their aesthetics to space colonization.”

Development Amidst Adversity

“Developing a game during a war is a challenging task,” Chernyshov admits. “We had to evacuate our entire team from eastern Ukraine and seek shelter at the sound of alarms. Additionally, there’s always the threat of nuclear weapons. We’ve adapted to all of this. War has become routine for us. Our friends and family members are currently at war,” adds Khrapai.

Chernyshov continues, “Yes, it’s especially tough. Losing a friend is a tragedy. But all we can do is create a video game. So, we strive to make the best game we can and use it to tell the story of the people in this region. The main characters in our game are mainly from Galicia, and we want to showcase how these people lived. Our game also includes some commentary on the war.”

Stay Tuned for “Sand” on Steam

“Sand” already has its page on the Steam store, where you can follow updates and add it to your wishlist. As for the game’s release date, it’s too early to say. “Sand” will be available on PC with English and Ukrainian localization.