The historical action RPG "Smuta" and its associated free educational apps, "Smutnoe Vremya," have been downloaded over one million times, according to developer Cyberia Nova. This milestone is a significant achievement for the project, which has faced its share of criticism.
The download figures exclude installations in over 1,500 computer clubs where the game is available. Reaching one million downloads was a key condition for continued state funding, according to a TASS report citing Cyberia Nova's press service.
“One million downloads was one of the main conditions for receiving state funding... Today, we’ve passed this mark and completed a difficult but important task... 'Smuta' is a whole world, and we will continue to work on the game.” - Alexey Kopcev, Cyberia Nova CEO.
The educational modules, which focus on the architecture, daily life, and customs of ancient Russian cities, have contributed significantly to the download numbers. Furthermore, images of Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky from the game were displayed on media facades in various cities to commemorate National Unity Day.
"This cross-media approach has allowed the project to reach beyond the gamer niche and engage a much wider audience with the history of the Time of Troubles.” - Andrey Voronkov, Deputy General Director of the Institute for Internet Development (IRI).
While Cyberia Nova has expressed intentions to create story DLC for "Smuta," they have primarily focused on updates, including improvements to the combat system, stealth mechanics, and voice acting.
