Andrei Korzinkin, an animator who worked on "Metro Exodus" (opens in new tab) at Ukrainian studio 4A Games, was reportedly killed during a "combat mission" against Russian forces invading the country. Korzinkin's death was shared on Twitter by Remedy gameplay designer Leonid Stepanov, who previously worked with Korzinkin at 4A Games. [Andrii 'Nizrok' Korzinkin (@korzinkin_3d) died during combat duty in Ukraine's struggle for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. 'A talented animator, an incredible man and a true hero. Rest in peace my friend. We all miss you."

Stepanov told PC Gamer that he became close friends with Kosinkin after joining 4A Games, where Kosinkin was "responsible for a lot of the animation of the various characters and cut scenes."

"We got to know each other well as we worked on common projects," Stepanov said. I was immediately struck by his kind nature and his willingness to help at all times." This trait of his was noticed by many other colleagues. And, of course, his technical skills were remarkable."

Kosinkin was passionate about both developing and playing games, and Stepanov said he was influenced by the work of "God of War" creative director Cory Balrog. Stepanov said, "[Balrog] was also an animator when he first started his professional career. That's why Andrei was studying other elements of development so that he could do as much as possible in the process of working on his own projects."

Stepanov said that he first learned of Korzinkin's death through a LinkedIin post by a mutual friend. Later, another friend of Korzinkin's tweeted that he had also attended the funeral.

"My first reaction was denial. This is not possible, this could not happen to Andrei. And later, even as I was reposting this horrible news myself, I hoped it was all a mistake. But then others confirmed this information. It was very painful. Now all that remains is to preserve Andrei's wonderful memory, to pass it on to others, and to do everything possible to ensure that his death was not in vain."[13

Other current and former developers of 4A Games have also paid tribute to Kozinkin on social media.

"My friend, talented animator, and great and humble man korzinkin_3d died heroically to carry out his combat mission and defend Ukraine," tweeted (open in new tab) animator Serhii Krystiev, a Metro He worked with Korzinkin at Exodus. 'There are no words to describe this loss. He was a professional, someone who always wanted to be the same. May he rest in peace.

"He was a good man, a good artist, a good colleague," said former 4A employee Denis Mishenko (opens in new tab). 'I have a lot of good memories from the production of Metro Exodus. Very sad. Rest in peace, brother."

"Andrii was a wonderful human being, very responsive, cooperative, always ready to help, incredibly responsible and dedicated," Vitalii Keda, lead technical designer for Metro Exodus, wrote in a LinkedIn ( Open in new tab) wrote in a post, "I have known him since we worked together on Metro Exodus at 4A Games, and he always stood out with his dry humor and commitment to excellence. His positive attitude always inspired me and taught me not to hesitate to face challenges, both professional and personal. I will miss you, dear friend. Rest in peace."

Andriy Krasavin, senior game designer for Metro Exodus, who had known Kozinkin more professionally than personally, said he was "ready to face the task" when faced with the Russian invasion. Krasavin told PC Gamer via DM, "He is from Mariupol, and this attack hit his family hard."

4A Games (which maintains a studio in Kiev), which moved its headquarters (open in new tab) to Malta in 2014 after the first Russian invasion of Ukraine, has been outspoken about its fight for Ukrainian independence since the Russian invasion began in February. He also called on the Ukrainian people to "stand strong and brave" in their "fight for independence" on August 24, Ukraine's Independence Day (open in new tab).

Days after Stepanov tweeted about Korzinkin's death, the studio confirmed his death with a photo and a statement shared on Twitter.

"Today we mourn the loss of 4A Games animator Andrei 'Nizhlok' Korzhinkin, who died on September 24 near the city of Mykolaiv defending his country. 'Andrei was born in Mariupol on April 7, 1989. He was honorably buried in a military cemetery as one of Ukraine's many heroes. [After the war with Russia began, Andriy enlisted in the Ukrainian army. Early in the war he was able to help his parents escape from the city of Mariupol to Kiev. We remember him as a talented animator who delighted in the mutants and creatures of Metro Exodus and as a friend who was always positive, calm and loved board games and time at the gym. Our thoughts are with his family and all those who defend Ukraine.

Korzinkin is not the only 4A Games employee who joined the Ukrainian military after the Russian invasion. Stepanov said that he "definitely knows eight" studio employees who are currently serving in the military.

"There are some more who have been on the front lines since the first few days [of the invasion]," Krasavin said. 'First, some of them took part in the defense of the territory, and after a while they moved to the battlefield.' The rest were trained, studied about the army, and prepared themselves before the war began.