Kyiv-based developer GSC Game World has shared two updates on S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. First, it changed the game’s subtitle in accordance with Ukrainian language rules. Second, the studio decided to prohibit sales of the upcoming title in Russia.
On March 14, GSC Game World updated the Steam page of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, changing its subtitle from Heart of Chernobyl (the romanized Russian spelling) to Heart of Chornobyl (the romanized Ukrainian spelling).
Following this update, the studio made a post on VK, saying it will be its last publication on the Russian social network. After that, GSC will share all news about the game on its official website and other platforms, including Twitter, Discord, and YouTube.
The developers noted that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 won’t be sold in the Russian Federation.
- The game won’t be available for purchase on digital stores in Russia, although digital pre-orders that have been already made will remain valid.
- The studio won’t distribute physical copies of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 in the country, with all pre-orders being canceled.
“Ukraine and its citizens will fight to the last breath — for their freedom and their right to choose,” GSC Game World wrote in a statement to the Russian audience. “[We will fight] for what you couldn’t. We are developers from Ukraine. And that will never change.”
On March 8, the studio also suspended sales of all its previous products in Russia. GSC also said that the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 development is paused as it is now “striving to help our employees and their families to survive.”