STALKER 2 DEV GSC GAME WORLD SURPRISED BY PLAYER LOVE DESPITE BUGS

The team at GSC Game World faced significant challenges in developing Stalker 2, culminating in its launch towards the end of November 2023. Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, developers endured brutal working conditions, including extreme crunch periods of 16-hour days. Despite the multitude of bugs present at launch, the game garnered unexpected positivity from players, selling a million copies within days and achieving an 84% positive rating on Steam. The development journey is documented in a 90-minute film titled War Game: The Making of Stalker 2, which sheds light on the adversities faced during creation, as half of the team relocated to the Czech Republic while the rest remained in Ukraine. GSC Game World acknowledges imperfections but remains committed to improving the game's reception, aiming for a 90% user review rating in the long run.

The main obstacles included the ongoing war in Ukraine, which caused half the team to relocate while others remained in a hostile environment, and intense development crunch that limited their ability to address bugs before launch.

Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a highly anticipated sequel in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series, known for its immersive open-world gameplay set in a post-apocalyptic version of Chernobyl. The franchise has built a dedicated fanbase since its inception, praised for its atmospheric design and complex narrative. This sequel aims to expand on the original gameplay mechanics while introducing advanced graphics and new features, making the challenges faced during development all the more poignant for fans eagerly awaiting the game's full realization.