Prior to the release of Stalker 2: Heart of ChernobylGSC Game World has released a documentary documenting the lives of its developers amid an ongoing war.
The ‘War Game: The Making of STALKER 2 Documentary’ can now be viewed YouTubefeaturing first-hand accounts from members of the development team and what it’s been like making a game since the Russian invasion of their home country of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
The ninety-minute documentary covers the history of the Ukrainian studio and details the personal lives of employees after the invasion, while also showing the harrowing footage documented over the last two years of the war.
Since the beginning of the war, the GSC Game World has had to work under challenging conditions to complete it Stalker 2which creative director Mariia Grygorovych calls “the biggest game in the company’s history”.
The documentary highlights the history of Ukraine and how the Chernobyl nuclear disaster affected the studio, along with memories of the months leading up to the Russian invasion.
According to Grygorovych, when rumors spread about the 2021 invasion, GSC had already booked transportation for its developers to escort them from Kiev to safety in Uzhhorod.
As the conflict escalated, the team was eventually forced to evacuate, with many employees transferred from Ukraine to Budapest, a decision that posed many problems such as roadblocks and crossing borders on foot (via Xbox wire).
A developer named Anton discussed his experiences during the invasion and recalled having to shelter in a basement with his family, saying, “Like a Stalker, you have to learn how to live in such situations”.
There was no internet for weeks and Anton switched to drawing on paper, “so I haven’t stopped developing”, he said Stalker 2 was “my purpose in life to do this project”.
GSC eventually the studio moved to Prague in 2022 However, where they could continue to work safely, the team had to start work from scratch at some points.
Some of the actors who played roles in the play had to be replaced as they had joined up to fight in the war, while others had moved elsewhere or lost contact.
Due to the ongoing war, the game has suffered many delays.
The game was set to release on September 5, but in July GSC announced a two-month delay to resolve emergency issues.
Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl is now expected to launch on November 20, 2024 for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PC and on day one for Xbox Game Pass.