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[adamsapple]

STALKER 2 devs joke developing it "was a really bad business idea"

The S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2 devs have said that the game was a really bad business idea, but they've powered through anyway.

www.videogamer.com

I asked Zakhar Bocharov of GSC Game World about its turbulent release, and here’s what he had to say: “It was an ambitious game from the beginning. Then we got COVID. Then we got war. Then we got relocation. Then we had fire in Prague. Then we had Russian hacks. Then we got delays.” Despite this, there was an air of triumph in Bocharov’s tone; they were close.

“So, I just covered seven years in my head, and I was thinking, ‘damn, it was a really bad business idea’.” Bocharov’s emphasis here is on the financial costs, rather than the game as a whole. GSC Game World did not follow the typical path for STALKER 2. They are without an established publisher, and have instead decided to self-publish the game. Essentially, they don’t have anywhere near the same budget as other AAA titles.

“Every delay costs a lot for us. Five delays – the budget is way more than it was to start … For me, when we delay, we understand the reaction. We understand people are tired of waiting. You really want it to release as well. We just do what’s necessary,” Bocharov said. “We’re on the finish line. It’s just about delivering the vision and experience now.”

This wasn’t just PR fluff, either. I played STALKER 2 (you’ll have to wait for my preview for my full thoughts) and I can confirm that it is very close. I can also confirm that it wasn’t a ‘really bad business idea.’ GSC Game World’s upcoming sequel is incredibly impressive, though the story behind its development perhaps even more so.

* Relocations

 

[Darsxx82]

It is truly commendable to have carried out the project in those circumstances. Even more will be if the final result, optimization and finishing of the game manage to convince.

 

[Negotiator101]

If it manages to make it out this year what an absolute achievement and also what an end to year on Gamepass.

 

[King Dazzar]

And they've managed to do 60fps!!!

 

[Games of Today]

And they've managed to do 60fps!!!

And Avowed, made on a last gen looking engine is 30fps. Go figure.

 

[Mister Wolf]

Where almost at the finish line. Soon I will be shooting mutated pigs with telepathic powers.

 

[Darsxx82]

And Avowed, made on a last gen looking engine is 30fps. Go figure.

??

Isn't Avowed being done under UE5 with the use of Nanite, Lumen and it is even said that there is an RT feature in XSX?

 

[adamsapple]

And Avowed, made on a last gen looking engine is 30fps. Go figure.

Both Avowed and STALKER 2 use UE5.

Avowed is using the full suite, Nanite, Lumen, VSM (virtual shadow map). I don't think we know yet if Nanite or Lumen will be in the console version of STALKER 2.

 

[Games of Today]

Both Avowed and STALKER 2 use UE5.

Avowed is using the full suite, Nanite, Lumen, VSM (virtual shadow map). I don't think we know yet if Nanite or Lumen will be in the console version of STALKER 2.

Ahh I gotcha. I'm excited to play it on PC but it's a shame that they are using nanite and lumen at the cost of console performance.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Not sure if this is the best thread for posting this, but it looks like MS has been very supportive of the devs.

 

[adamsapple]

Not sure if this is the best thread for posting this, but it looks like MS has been very supportive of the devs.

It's the least they could have done in this case. GSC deserves to be rewarded and paid.