Stalker 2: Heart Of Chornobyl‘s release date is September 5th 2024, GSC Game World have announced, as the developers make some final adjustments to a post-apocalyptic FPS that was revealed way back in 2010 and has been racked by more than its fair share of setbacks and changes of circumstances. They’ve published a new trailer to mark the occasion, in which a group of the game’s quarantine zone mercenaries squat around a campfire, supping mugs of what probably isn’t cocoa, and listening to guitar music. It strikes a fitting note of world-weariness.
The developers had hoped to release the game early this year, but according to the release date press bulletin, it became apparent over December that more time was needed.
“During Gamescom 2023, GSC Game World decided to show a small part of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 to the players publicly for the first time ever,” reads the mailout. “This one-time initiative then transformed into a journey from one event to another across Poland, France, Brazil, Singapore and other countries. Thousands of players were able to play the game themselves and give the much-needed direct feedback afterwards.
“Two key points emerged from that. The first one was: it absolutely felt and played like a S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game, which basically summed up both the key intention and the main inspiration for the project from the very beginning. The second one was: on the technical side of things, the game apparently needed more time in the oven.
“Throughout the frankly challenging development process, time was of the team’s main essence,” the release continues. “Seeing the scope of polishing and understanding the limits of the players’ patience, GSC was absolutely dedicated to releasing the game in Q1 2024. That, however, doesn’t change the fact that at the beginning of this year, certain technical imperfections still hold S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 below the expected standards for the final experience the fans are waiting for.”
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2’s development struggles obviously owe quite a lot to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which saw the bulk of GSC Game World relocating to Prague while some members of the studio joined the Ukrainian military. The immediate violence of the war aside, the developers have also been subject to hacking attacks and threats which culminated in the leaking of test footage. The release date announcement concludes by suggesting that players make a donation to United24, a charity run by Ukraine’s government.
Heart of Chornobyl is one of my most-anticipated 2024 games, partly because I find it so strange to think of a Ukrainian developer making a shooter set in wartorn Ukraine right now. The legendary Chornobyl power plant depicted in the game has been the scene of battles between Ukrainian and Russian forces. Ed was slightly more guarded when he saw it last August, calling attention to some uneven NPC behaviour – hopefully, that’s one of the “technical imperfections” they’re currently fixing. Best of luck to GSC Game World getting it shipped in September.
