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Over at Gamescom this year, we spoke to GSC Game World about launching STALKER 2 and the war in Ukraine. The game was once in development before being dropped in 2012. Its history has been steeped in cancellations and delay after delay. This version of the game was scheduled for a release three years ago, before the war in Ukraine put a halt to those plans. Most recently, it was planned for a summer release before being pushed back once again; “breathing room to address technical issues” was the most recent reason.
I asked Zachar Bocharov of GSC Game World about its turbulent release, and here’s what he had to say: “It was an ambitious game from the beginning. Then we got COVID. Then we got war. Then we got relocation. Then we had fire in Prague. Then we had Russian hacks. Then we got delays.” Despite this, there was an air of triumph in Bocharov’s tone; they were close.
“So, I just covered seven years in my head, and I was thinking, ‘damn, it was a really bad business idea’.” GSC Game World did not follow the typical path for STALKER 2. They are without an established publisher, and have instead decided to self-publish the game. Essentially, they don’t have anywhere near the same budget as other AAA titles.
“Every delay costs a lot for us. Five delays – the budget is way more than it was to start … For me, when we delay, we understand the reaction. We understand people are tired of waiting. You really want it to release as well. We just do what’s necessary,” Bocharov said. “We’re on the finish line. It’s just about delivering the vision and experience now.”
This wasn’t just PR fluff, either. I played STALKER 2 (you’ll have to wait for my preview for my full thoughts) and I can confirm that it is very close. I can also confirm that it wasn’t a ‘really bad business idea.’ GSC Game World’s upcoming sequel is incredibly impressive, though the story behind its development perhaps even more so.
The release date is set for November 20th now, and it’s likely we will actually see it then.
Our preview and full interview with GSC Game World will be coming this week.
