The development of STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl has been anything but ordinary. A new 90-minute documentary titled War Game: The Making of STALKER 2 offers an unprecedented look into the challenges faced by Ukrainian studio GSC Game World during Russia's invasion.
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| The figure represents the resilience and survival themes integral to both STALKER 2 and the experiences of the GSC Game World team during the war |
A Studio Under Siege
The documentary, co-produced by Xbox and directed by Andrew Stephan, reveals the extraordinary measures taken by GSC Game World in the face of war:
- As early as December 2021, company executives were secretly planning potential evacuation routes.
- Buses were discreetly booked in January 2022 and kept on standby outside the studio's offices.
- On February 20, 2022, just days before the invasion, over 180 developers were moved westward to Uzhhorod near the Slovak border.
Rebuilding from the Ashes
The Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, forced GSC Game World to:
- Relocate and rebuild their entire operation in Prague
- Recast voice actors who had enlisted in the Ukrainian military
- Overcome personal trauma and the constant threat of danger
Subconsciously, we were all ready to die, recalls Alina, a GSC developer featured in the documentary.
More Than Just a Game
For the team at GSC Game World, STALKER 2 has taken on a new significance:
- Creative Director Mariia Grygorovych states, The game, for us, is now an element of resistance.
- The project has become a symbol of Ukrainian resilience and cultural independence.
Despite the unimaginable challenges, STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is scheduled for release on November 20, 2024. The documentary War Game: The Making of STALKER 2 is now available on the Xbox and GSC YouTube channels, offering viewers a powerful glimpse into game development amidst geopolitical turmoil.