View source for Software:S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl

{{Short description|Upcoming first-person shooter game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl
| image = File:STALKER 2 cover art.jpg
| developer = [[Company:GSC Game World|GSC Game World]]
| publisher = GSC Game World
| engine = Unreal Engine 5
| series = ''[[Software:S.T.A.L.K.E.R.|S.T.A.L.K.E.R.]]''
| platforms = [[Software:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]]<br>Xbox Series X/S
| released = April 28, 2022<ref name="auto">{{cite web|title=Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl Launches In April 2022, On Xbox Games Pass At Launch|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-heart-of-chernobyl-launches-in-april-2022-on-xbox-games-pass-at-launch/1100-6492799/|website=GameSpot|first=Alessadro|last=Barbosa|date=June 13, 2021|access-date=June 24, 2021|archive-date=June 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623191327/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-heart-of-chernobyl-launches-in-april-2022-on-xbox-games-pass-at-launch/1100-6492799/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| genre = [[Software:Survival horror|Survival horror]], [[Software:First-person shooter|First-person shooter]], Immersive sim
| modes = Single-player
}}

'''''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl''''' is an upcoming [[Software:First-person shooter|first-person shooter]] [[Software:Survival horror|survival horror]] video game developed by {{wipe|Ukraine}}-based developer [[Company:GSC Game World|GSC Game World]] for [[Software:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]] and the Xbox Series X/S. It will be the fourth game released in the '' [[Software:S.T.A.L.K.E.R.|S.T.A.L.K.E.R.]]'' video game series, the first game in the series released on [[Engineering:Video game console|consoles]], as well as the first ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R.'' game in 13 years since the release of ''Call of Pripyat'' in 2009. The game is set to be released in April 2022.

Initially announced following the release of ''Call of Pripyat'', it was initially planned to have released in 2012, before it was ultimately cancelled on the year of its intended release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/stalker-2-studio-facing-uncertain-future-6347437|title=S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 studio facing uncertain future|date=12 December 2011|access-date=23 June 2021|publisher=GameSpot|archive-date=8 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108060947/http://www.gamespot.com/news/stalker-2-studio-facing-uncertain-future-6347437|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-canceled/1100-6373393/|title=S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 canceled|date=2012-04-25|publisher=GameSpot|access-date=2020-04-05|archive-date=2019-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410124705/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-canceled/1100-6373393/|url-status=live}}</ref> The game resurfaced years later in 2018, with the development restarted and powered by the Unreal Engine 5, with a new release date in 2022.

== Development ==
=== Early development ===
''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2'' was initially announced in 2010, with a release date set in 2012, by Sergei Grigorovich, CEO of GSC Game World, stating "After the official sales of the series exceeded 4 million copies worldwide, we had no doubts left to start creating a new big game in the ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R.'' universe. This will be the next chapter of the mega-popular game players expect from us." The development of the game was ambitious; it was stated that the game would feature an all-new multiplatform engine, made from scratch to fit ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2''.

During development, numerous layoffs and overall attrition through the development of the game had shrunk GSC's employee count by 75%. Two years in, Grigorovich had announced the immediate cessation of all development due to "personal reasons", likely as a result of financial difficulty.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-12-09|title=Киевская компания, создавшая игры S.T.A.L.K.E.R. и "Казаки", решила самоликвидироваться|url=https://ukranews.com/news/121316-kyevskaya-kompanyya-sozdavshaya-ygry-stalker-y-kazaky-reshyla-samolykvydyrovatsya|access-date=2021-06-24|website=ukranews_com|language=ru|archive-date=2021-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205905/https://ukranews.com/news/121316-kyevskaya-kompanyya-sozdavshaya-ygry-stalker-y-kazaky-reshyla-samolykvydyrovatsya|url-status=live}}</ref> GSC Game World was officially dissolved on December 9, 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hall|first=Charlie|date=2013-09-08|title=Stalker fallout: Polygon traces the exodus from Kiev's legendary GSC Game World|url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2013/9/8/4568598/stalker-fallout-gsc-game-world|access-date=2021-06-24|website=Polygon|language=en|archive-date=2019-03-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328115749/https://www.polygon.com/features/2013/9/8/4568598/stalker-fallout-gsc-game-world|url-status=live}}</ref> The official [[Company:Twitter|Twitter]] account posted "We will do our best to continue. However, at this moment, nothing is certain."<ref>{{Cite web|title=We will do our best to continue. However, at this moment, nothing is certain.|url=https://twitter.com/survariumvg/status/146255840310071296|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-24|website=Twitter|language=en|archive-date=2021-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904154130/https://twitter.com/survariumvg/status/146255840310071296}}</ref> After several months of uncertainty,<ref>{{Cite web|title=S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 studio facing uncertain future|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-studio-facing-uncertain-future/1100-6347437/|access-date=2021-06-24|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204445/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-studio-facing-uncertain-future/1100-6347437/|url-status=live}}</ref> an update was posted that the development would continue after the holidays, although it would require funding.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 presses on, but studio needs cash - Report|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-presses-on-but-studio-needs-cash-report/1100-6348608/|access-date=2021-06-24|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203919/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-presses-on-but-studio-needs-cash-report/1100-6348608/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the cancellation of this build of ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2'' had been formally announced in April 2012 on the company's [[Company:Facebook|Facebook]] page,<ref>{{Cite web|title=S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 canceled|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-canceled/1100-6373393/|access-date=2021-06-24|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|archive-date=2019-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410124705/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-canceled/1100-6373393/|url-status=live}}</ref> officially stated to have resulted from dispute between investors, staff, and the original IP rights owner.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The reason we cannot continue...|url=https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fofficialstalker%2Fposts%2F436937749665479|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-24|website=Facebook|language=en|archive-date=2021-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624211859/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fofficialstalker%2Fposts%2F436937749665479}}</ref>

=== West Games scandal ===
West Games, a studio founded by former GSC lead developer Eugene Kim,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Senior|first=Tom|date=2012-06-01|title=Rumour: Ex-STALKER devs form Union Studio, developing Fallout/Rage inspired shooter|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/rumour-ex-stalker-devs-form-union-studio-developing-falloutrage-inspired-shooter/|access-date=2021-06-24|website=PC Gamer|language=en-US|archive-date=2019-02-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224062458/https://www.pcgamer.com/rumour-ex-stalker-devs-form-union-studio-developing-falloutrage-inspired-shooter/|url-status=live}}</ref> had launched a Kickstarter [[Crowdfunding|crowdfunding]] campaign for a [[Social:Spiritual successor|spiritual successor]] to the ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R.'' franchise in June 2014, under the title ''"Areal"''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tach|first=Dave|date=2014-06-24|title=STALKER devs working on survival horror spiritual successor Areal|url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/6/24/5838800/areal-stalker-kickstarter|access-date=2021-06-24|website=Polygon|language=en|archive-date=2019-05-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517163146/https://www.polygon.com/2014/6/24/5838800/areal-stalker-kickstarter|url-status=live}}</ref> However, this drew widespread criticism and was described as a scam, with its trailer entirely composed of footage from the original ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R.'' games as well as purported screenshots from its development being revealed as modified assets from the Unity engine's "asset store", which West Games claimed was "media-fabricated".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-07-02|title=UPDATE: S.T.A.L.K.E.R successor scandal is media-fabricated, dev claims|url=https://www.vg247.com/2014/07/02/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-areal-vostock-sparks-legal-and-fraud-threats/|access-date=2021-06-24|website=VG247|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026130117/https://www.vg247.com/2014/07/02/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-areal-vostock-sparks-legal-and-fraud-threats/|url-status=live}}</ref> The project drew $65,000 in Kickstarter funds, 15 thousand dollars over its original goal of $50,000, however it was permanently suspended by Kickstarter in July, citing guideline violations.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|date=2014-07-22|title=Kickstarter suspends Ex-STALKER devs' Areal campaign, West Games turns to direct funding|url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/7/22/5927175/areal-kickstarter-suspended-stalker-west-games|access-date=2021-06-24|website=Polygon|language=en|archive-date=2019-05-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517163119/https://www.polygon.com/2014/7/22/5927175/areal-kickstarter-suspended-stalker-west-games|url-status=live}}</ref> After cancellation though, West Games had at first claimed to have switched to private funding on their website to fund the project, they announced another crowdfunding campaign on the Wfunder platform in December 2014, setting a much larger goal of $600,000 to produce a new game called S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Apocalypse.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hall|first=Charlie|date=2014-12-12|title=After having its Kickstarter canceled, STALKER sequel goes back to the well|url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/12/12/7382787/stalker-apocalypse-kickstarter|access-date=2021-06-24|website=Polygon|language=en|archive-date=2021-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203724/https://www.polygon.com/2014/12/12/7382787/stalker-apocalypse-kickstarter|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== ''Survarium'' ===
{{main|Software:Survarium}}
Following cancellation, the former team for the original build of ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2'' opened a new studio, [[Company:Vostok Games|Vostok Games]], to create the free-to-play [[Massively multiplayer online game|MMO]] ''[[Software:Survarium|Survarium]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Purchese|first=Robert|date=2012-04-26|title=Former STALKER team will develop Survarium openly with community|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-04-26-former-stalker-team-will-develop-survarium-openly-with-community|access-date=2021-06-24|website=Eurogamer|language=en|archive-date=2018-05-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519044544/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-04-26-former-stalker-team-will-develop-survarium-openly-with-community|url-status=live}}</ref> Accomplished via [[Finance:Venture capital|venture capital]], this project was largely built in the spirit of the original ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R.'' franchise, using ideas they created for the cancelled original build of the sequel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cinemablend.com/games/STALKER-2-Gets-Cancelled-Developers-Open-Studio-41801.html |title=STALKER 2 Gets Cancelled, Developers Open New Studio |publisher=Cinemablend.com |date=2012-04-25 |access-date=2012-05-22 |archive-date=2012-04-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428014921/http://www.cinemablend.com/games/STALKER-2-Gets-Cancelled-Developers-Open-Studio-41801.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Revival ===
After years of dormancy, GSC Game World was officially reformed in December 2014 to develop ''[[Software:Cossacks 3|Cossacks 3]]''. Four years later, on said game's Facebook page, development of a new ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2'' was announced, linking to ''www.stalker2.com'', the game's website.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/cossacks3/posts/2053522958254369|title=Facebook|website=www.facebook.com|access-date=23 June 2021|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109031527/https://www.facebook.com/cossacks3/posts/2053522958254369|url-status=live}}</ref> It was later revealed that the game would be developed using Unreal Engine 4.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hall|first=Charlie|date=2018-05-15|title=STALKER 2 announced, scheduled for 2021 release|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/5/15/17358508/stalker-2-announced-gsc-game-world|access-date=2021-06-24|website=Polygon|language=en|archive-date=2018-05-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516035349/https://www.polygon.com/2018/5/15/17358508/stalker-2-announced-gsc-game-world|url-status=live}}</ref> This build of ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2'' was announced exceptionally early into development, with it still being in the "design doc phase".<ref>{{Cite web|title=STALKER 2 was only announced so the devs could find a publisher|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/stalker-2/stalker-2-publisher|access-date=2021-06-24|website=PCGamesN|language=en-GB|archive-date=2021-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205609/https://www.pcgamesn.com/stalker-2/stalker-2-publisher|url-status=live}}</ref> Grigorovich later stated on a podcast that the intent of the project's announcement in 2018 was largely to generate hype, in order to strike a publishing deal at E3 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Как Делают Игры 222. Отвечаем на вопросы|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw-kzRGRgGw|url-status=live|website=YouTube|access-date=2021-06-24|archive-date=2021-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624220406/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw-kzRGRgGw}}</ref>

Little information was given regarding the project until E3 2021, where a full gameplay trailer was shown at the [[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft/Bethesda]] press conference. The release date was rescheduled to April 28, 2022.<ref name="auto"/> In August 2021, the developers revealed that the game was updated to Unreal Engine 5.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Birch |first=Nathan |date=August 11, 2021 |title=STALKER 2 is Running on Unreal Engine 5 Confirms GSC Game World |url=https://wccftech.com/stalker-2-unreal-engine-5/ |access-date=August 12, 2021 |website=WCCFTech |archive-date=August 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812000849/https://wccftech.com/stalker-2-unreal-engine-5/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Release ==
The game is slated to be on [[Software:Xbox Game Pass|Xbox Game Pass]] at launch.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl Launches In April 2022, On Xbox Games Pass At Launch|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-heart-of-chernobyl-launches-in-april-2022-on-xbox-games-pass-at-launch/1100-6492799/|access-date=2021-06-24|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-06-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623191327/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-heart-of-chernobyl-launches-in-april-2022-on-xbox-games-pass-at-launch/1100-6492799/|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, the game was stated by GSC Game World to be planned as a [[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]-exclusive release, only releasing on Microsoft Windows and the Xbox Series X/S.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-30|title=S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 On PS5 Not Planned, Developer Talks Xbox Exclusivity|url=https://screenrant.com/stalker-2-ps5-not-planned-xbox-exclusivity/|access-date=2021-06-24|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204624/https://screenrant.com/stalker-2-ps5-not-planned-xbox-exclusivity/|url-status=live}}</ref> This exclusivity, however, is only slated to be for three months following its release as evidenced from leaked documents as a part of ''Epic Games v. Apple''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-02|title=S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Could Come to PS5 Three Months After Release|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/05/s_t_a_l_k_e_r_2_could_come_to_ps5_three_months_after_release|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-24|website=Push Square|language=en-GB|archive-date=2021-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624211603/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/05/s_t_a_l_k_e_r_2_could_come_to_ps5_three_months_after_release}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-28|title=Is Stalker 2 Coming To PS5?|url=https://culturedvultures.com/stalker-2-ps5-ps4/|access-date=2021-06-24|website=Cultured Vultures|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204725/https://culturedvultures.com/stalker-2-ps5-ps4/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-03|title=S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Exclusive to Xbox for Just Three Months|url=https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2021/05/03/stalker-2-ps5/|access-date=2021-06-24|website=PlayStation LifeStyle|archive-date=2021-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204203/https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2021/05/03/stalker-2-ps5/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links==

{{GSC Game World}}

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[[Category:First-person shooters]]
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[[Category:Survival video games]]

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