Igroprom 2026. Zaychik. Victory!!!

Hey everyone! So, at the recent "Igroprom 2026," our game won an award in the "Best Game Reading" category. For a visual novel, this is quite a serious achievement. The genre is often perceived as a "picture book" or "not quite a game." There's no combat, no open world, no leveling up. The only thing it has is the story. And the way we tell it. So when a visual novel gets recognized specifically for its narrative, it becomes clear that telling a story is also an art.

The event took place at the Moscow Video Game and Animation Cluster in Skolkovo. The space itself sets the right mood — it was created for those who make games, and being there with your own project was a separate pleasure. Seeing "Zaychik" among other indie projects, knowing that it's being read, discussed, and evaluated — that's very gratifying. "Best Game Reading" is a good phrasing, of course. But let's be honest: in the Best 2D Art category, "Zaychik" could have easily taken the win too. But you can't give everything to one game. So, I understand. I don't judge the organizers.

And last but most importantly. Thank you!!! To those who voted, who shared, who pushed "Zaychik" into the shortlist. Without you, no "Igroprom" would have noticed anything. So this is our victory — yours and mine! To celebrate, the game is on sale from September 22 to September 26. P.S. Stay tuned for rebuild news. The story continues.

Saikono