STALKER 2 Devs Fear Online Leaks, Fans Anticipate Release

The development team responsible for the highly anticipated horror FPS sequel, STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, has issued a warning to fans to be mindful of leaks being spread by malicious Russian hackers. Originally slated for release in 2022, production of STALKER 2 was temporarily halted due to the catastrophic Russian invasion of Ukraine, prompting some team members to take up arms against the attackers. The team has since relocated to Prague, Czech Republic and is making steady progress towards completing the sequel. As one of Ukraine's most prominent game studios, GSC Game World has been the target of malicious Russian hackers since the invasion began. STALKER's first three titles, released in the late 2000s, have developed a significant following in the PC community, leading to mounting anticipation for the sequel. With STALKER 2 being a highly anticipated third-party exclusive for Xbox, many gamers are eagerly awaiting its release.

GSC Game World is currently facing a challenging situation with Russian hackers as they strive to bring the STALKER 2 game to completion. In an effort to keep fans informed, the studio has issued a word of caution on Twitter. The statement reveals that GSC has successfully closed a vulnerability that the hackers had been exploiting for over a year. However, the studio warns that Russian hackers have already accessed STALKER 2's testing materials and other sensitive information, which are now being circulated online.

GSC urges fans not to search for or share these leaks as they could potentially spoil the experience of exploring STALKER 2's eerie and mysterious world. Despite the obstacles posed by the hackers, GSC remains committed to delivering the best possible version of STALKER 2. The studio's dedication to the game's development, even in the face of adversity, is unwavering.

While STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is highly anticipated by fans, the health and safety of the GSC Game World team takes priority. The decision to move development to Prague may have even aided progress towards the finish line. Fans should avoid leaks and spoilers until the game's release in 2023 for PC and Xbox Series X/S.