This War of Mine: Little Ones – bringing children into a war simulation

Polish developer 11 Bit Studios drew widespread acclaim for its gritty survival sim This War of Mine. We talk to the lead designer about why the developer has added children, and the challenges involved

An eastern European city, several years into a civil war. A man named Christo and his young daughter Iskra have been forced from their home and end up sheltering from the bombs and snipers in an abandoned building torn apart by shrapnel. Food is hard to come by; Christo has been going hungry to make sure Iskra has enough to eat. He lies to her about his own needs so that she won't worry.

Reluctant to leave his daughter in the shelter alone, he teams up with another survivor so that one of them can always be around - but even that isn't enough to keep them safe. While the new companion is out scavenging one night, Christo is unable to fend off a group of raiders who steal their food and injure Iskra. Traumatised, she starts to have panic attacks that last through the night.