Behind the Scenes of Stalker 2: Resilience and Creativity Amid Conflict

As the gaming community looks forward to the launch of Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl, GSC Game World has unveiled a documentary that reveals the experiences of its developers in the face of ongoing conflict. This documentary paints a vivid picture of the difficulties the team has encountered during creating a game during extraordinary circumstances.

The film documentary known as War Game: The Making of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 can now be watched on YouTube. It includes personal stories from development team members and illuminates the nature of the experience to craft their vision since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia on February 24, 2022. Spanning 90 minutes, it explores the studio's history, shares the impact of the war on employees' lives, and presents powerful imagery documenting the past two years of the conflict.

In the tumultuous landscape created by the war, GSC Game World strives to finalize "the follow-up installment to the original Stalker game.", which creative director Mariia Grygorovych describes as potentially their largest project yet. The film delves into Ukraine's past and reflects on how the Chernobyl disaster has shaped the studio's identity, alongside personal accounts from the period leading to the invasion.

Grygorovych reveals that as rumors of an impending invasion surfaced in 2021, the company had already taken protective measures for its staff, arranging transportation to Uzhhorod from Kyiv. As tensions intensified, the the team found themselves needing to make a challenging choice to evacuate, relocating many from Ukraine to Budapest. This transition was fraught with difficulties, including navigating roadblocks and crossing borders by foot.

One developer, Anton, recounted his experiences during the invasion, sharing stories of seeking refuge in a cellar with his family. He noted the importance of adaptability in such dire situations. With weeks of lost internet access, he turned to drawing on paper to keep progressing, stating that Stalker: Chapter Two had become his life’s ambition.

In 2022, GSC relocated its operations to Prague, enabling them to continue their work in safety. However, the move came with its own challenges, as some aspects of development had to start anew. Several actors initially cast for the game were replaced due to enlistment in the conflict, while others had relocated or lost communication.

Ongoing war conditions have led to multiple setbacks, causing delays in the game's release schedule. Initially slated for a September 5 launch, GSC announced in July a two-month postponement to address urgent bugs. The anticipated release date for "the sequel to the Stalker franchise": Heart of Chernobyl is now November 20, 2024, and it will be available on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC, offering immediate availability through Xbox Game Pass from the very first day.