There may be leaks of STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl appearing on the internet soon.
GSC Game World, the developer of the much-beloved STALKER series, recently revealed that a Russian social network managed to hack and steal data about the game with plans of revealing them to the public if it doesn't comply with their demands.
STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is set for release sometime in 2023, though a definite release date may soon be on the horizon for the game.
GSC Game World Hack Details
GSC Game World mentioned in its announcement on Twitter that a Russian social network managed to hack one of its employees' accounts, which the developer uses for a collective work-with-images application. The developer added that the Russian social group is threatening to use the data they stole for blackmail and intimidation, though the developer didn't give any specific demands and threats from the Russian social network.
According to Bleeping Computer, the Russian social network that hacked GSC Game World has three demands for the developer to follow, with the first being reconsidering their attitude towards players from Belarus and Russia.
You may remember that Belarus is an ally of Russia in the latter's conflict with Ukraine, with the former helping in its efforts to defeat Ukraine by allowing Russian soldiers to cross into Ukraine through their border, per The Conversation.
The second demand the Russian social network wants GSC Game World to follow is to lift the ban of the "NF Star" user from the game's official Discord channel. A Twitter user going by the username @betelgeuse1922 appears to be claiming he was NF Star and that the developer banned him for nothing.
The last demand the social network made was to introduce Russian localization for STALKER 2, at least as an add-on, if not by its release, citing the popularity of a similar game Atomic Heart despite the game being set in an alternate 1955 Soviet Union.
The Russian social network's message for GSC Game World also cited Atomic Heart's success, with them saying that the data they stole is enough to cause the postponement or even cancellation of the game, but they wouldn't do that because of some of the successes of Atomic Heart, which is "severely disrespected in [their] group."
"It is [unnecessary] to spoil the game for people because of politics," the group added.
GSC Game World's Reaction
GSC Game World's reply to the hackers is one of stubborn defiance, with the developer saying that it will remain strong and courageous despite the blackmail and threats it received recently and in 2022.
"We are a Ukrainian company, and like most Ukrainians, we have experienced many things that are much more terrifying: destroyed houses, ruined lives, and the deaths of our loved ones," the developer said. "Attempts to blackmail or intimidate us are completely futile."
The developer also mentioned that it would not waver in its support for Ukraine and that it would continue to do everything possible to do that.
However, the company does implore STALKER fans and gamers worldwide to refrain from watching or distributing information about its upcoming game, since most, if not all, of the possible leaks are either outdated or are works-in-progress that may dilute players;' impressions of the final product.
