‘Of course we are tired’: After working for 2 years in the shadow of Russia’s invasion, Stalker 2 developers see finally finishing the game as a way to tell the world, ‘We are here’
by TotalSpaceNut
‘Of course we are tired’: After working for 2 years in the shadow of Russia’s invasion, Stalker 2 developers see finally finishing the game as a way to tell the world, ‘We are here’
by TotalSpaceNut
11 comments
Making a videogame is a tough business at the best of times, and for Ukrainian studios like Stalker 2 developer GSC Game World, these are much closer to the worst of times: Ukraine suffered a full-scale invasion by Russia in early 2022, and while the country has defended itself far more ably than many expected, it still faces relentless daily assaults in a war that’s cost tens of thousands of lives.
GSC Game World has faced other challenges since the invasion began: A new office in Prague suffered a major fire just a year after it opened, and in 2023 Russian hackers leaked early Stalker 2 test builds. Some members of the development team have joined the Ukrainian armed forces to fight the Russian invasion; at least one has died.
Understandably, Stalker 2 itself has been delayed multiple times. Speaking to PC Gamer at Gamescom, Stalker 2 technical producer Evgeniy Kulik said it’s been a long, tough haul, but developers have worked hard to support each other through it.
“When we moved to the Czech Republic just after the Russian aggression, we were working very close to each other,” Kulik said. “Even after work we’re speaking about the game, we’re making some decisions, we’re constantly talking about what should be improved.
“And it really helps a lot, because we are really worried about our colleagues, our families back at home, because we have two big studios, one in Prague, of course, and we have a really big office with almost 200 people back in Ukraine, in Kyiv. And those guys are constantly working under a lot of pressure because of constant bombing, constant air raid sirens.”
Now, with the finish line in sight, that internal support network is being bolstered by reactions from fans at pre-release showcases like Gamescom. There’s genuine excitement for Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl—we declared it the “most wanted game” of the November 2023 PC Gaming Show—and that’s carrying over to the development team.
“We’re really excited about the reactions of the people,” Kulik said. “They’re providing us a lot of energy to look for.”
“Of course we are tired. It’s like a long run with so many problems that we faced during the development … Now, we should do our best to finish this project, finish this game, and once again, release it to the public and say: Hey, we are here.”
Stalker 2 is set to launch on November 20.
I’m gonna buy it even if I don’t play it.
Gonna buy it anyway, Even if i am not playing it. My “pile of shame” is already big enough, time to start a “pile of honour”!
I **absolutely love** the stalker franchise, original games, anomaly, and I spent more of my life than I care to admit in gamma… and am eagerly looking forward to playing the game.
One thing I am quietly hoping for is that the creative directors found a way to bring the *modern* Ukrainian army (as opposed to the [ edit: ] Soviet-army-minded early-days pre-Maidan Ukrainian army [/edit] in the original games) – and, more importantly than the СБУ itself – **its ethos** – into the game universe.
I wouldn’t be harsh if they didn’t… but I feel like a game about (an alternate history of) this land could serve a strong voice to its creators if it were made to somehow accommodate that organization that channels the spirit of this land’s people.
Do I have to play stalker 1 for the story background? Or is the sequel on its own
It’s a goddamn miracle they managed to finish it, and from what we can see it looks goooood. Both faithful to the originals and full of new things, with an insane production value. And early testers say it’s better optimized now than most games at launch! Imma buy it day one, and tell every gamer I know to get it!
Im gonna get when i can gather enough money
Been eagarly waiting for some time now
So gonna buy this.
I loved the other 3 STALKER games. I already preordered this one too. I was little dissapointed after the release date got pushed a few times, but it’s pretty understandable since they want the game to be perfect. It shows reciliance, and care for the game and its fans. I’m glad I have something “made in Ukraine”🇺🇦
Ugh, I’m soooo excited for this. I’m a *huge* fan of the franchise and have been for years. This looks like it will be very true to the original games but also with a new spirit. Already preordered and so eager for November.
Stalker was a masterpiece… can’t wait