Those twenty White guys (and one or two japs) had not-insignificant resources and support provided to them by Bungie.  Bungie got looted by Activision.  Every game company besides valve got looted by the publishers and financiers.  And valve decided its not worth the risk/reward to make games any more.  Russia, or Eastern Europe in general, might have its own video game golden age if nuclear hearts is anything to go by, a team of twenty slavs made that.