Frogwares, the Ukrainian developer behind the Sherlock Holmes series and The Sinking City, has revealed a new project codenamed Project Palianytsia. The studio describes it as a blend of Victorian horror and mystery aimed at fans of The Sinking City and the Sherlock Holmes games. The reveal comes four months into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with Frogwares recently receiving an Epic Games grant to fund developer relocation.
- Project codename is Palianytsia, with four concept art pieces shown
- Described as horror and mystery in a Victorian setting
- Aimed at fans of The Sinking City and Sherlock Holmes series
- Studio is Ukrainian and recently received an Epic Games grant
- The reveal doubles as a statement of defiance
Why the project shifted
Frogwares' communications director said the project is not what the studio originally planned to do next. With the war ongoing, the team had to re-evaluate everything. A smaller-scale horror mystery is more achievable in current circumstances than the larger open-world title Frogwares was working on before the invasion. The studio says the war has forced them to adapt, and the project is a more efficient scope they are confident they can deliver.
The Palianytsia name
The codename is symbolic of Ukrainian cuisine and is also a phonetic shibboleth Russians struggle to pronounce. The studio says it is "the equivalent of phonetic Dark Souls for Russians who cannot pronounce it correctly." It is often used in Ukraine to identify non-locals. The full statement from Frogwares covers the announcement, the ongoing war, and why the studio shifted from an open-world project to this new game.
Our analysis
This is the kind of reveal that matters beyond the game. Frogwares is a real Ukrainian studio with a real catalog, and they have been transparent about the impact of the war on their work. The Epic Games funding is the kind of industry support that helps, but it does not fix the day-to-day reality. The project shift is the most interesting detail: a smaller horror mystery is achievable under wartime conditions, and that pragmatism is the right call. The codename choice is pointed, and the statement is clear. The game itself is unproven, but the studio has shipped The Sinking City and multiple Sherlock Holmes titles, so the quality baseline is real.
What it means for you
Say you have played The Sinking City and want more Lovecraftian horror from Frogwares. This is that. Say you want to support a Ukrainian studio. Wishlist or follow the project, since the visibility helps. Say you are interested in Victorian horror with mystery hooks. This is the kind of project to track. Say you want a big open-world game from Frogwares. The pre-war project is on hold, so this is what is shipping. The reveal statement is worth reading in full, since the studio is transparent about the war's impact on their work.
What to watch next
Watch for Frogwares to share more about the project, including a name reveal and a release window. Watch for the studio's situation updates, since the war continues. Watch for the Sherlock Holmes series to get new entries, since that is Frogwares' flagship franchise.
Key takeaways
- Frogwares reveals Project Palianytsia, a Victorian horror mystery
- Studio received an Epic Games grant to support developers during the Russian invasion
- Smaller scope than the originally planned open-world title
- Codename is a Ukrainian shibboleth that Russians struggle to pronounce
- Aimed at fans of The Sinking City and Sherlock Holmes series
Frequently asked questions
What is Project Palianytsia?
It is the codename for a new horror mystery game from Frogwares, described as Victorian horror with mystery, per the official reveal.
Why did Frogwares shift from an open-world game?
The war in Ukraine forced the studio to re-evaluate everything, and a smaller-horror project was more realistic under wartime conditions.
Who is funding the studio during the war?
Frogwares recently received an Epic Games grant to fund developer relocation, per the studio.
Why is the game called Palianytsia?
The name is symbolic of Ukrainian cuisine and is a phonetic shibboleth Russians struggle to pronounce, per Frogwares.