GSC Game World has successfully released 'S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl' on November 20, 2024, after overcoming significant delays that spanned over two years.

In a notable change, the game's title was updated to reflect the Ukrainian spelling of Chornobyl, moving away from the Russian version.

Despite these challenges, GSC relocated to Prague, where they continued development while grappling with issues like blackouts and military strikes.

Lead concept artist Anton Kukhtytskyi shared that the team worked under dire conditions, including hiding in a cellar during the invasion.

This game serves as a sequel to the highly acclaimed 'S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl', which was originally launched in 2007, marking it as the fourth installment in the beloved series.

The development of 'S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2' faced a major halt in early 2022 due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which forced many staff members to flee the country.

The studio also dealt with numerous cyberattacks in the year following the invasion, which significantly impacted their development and communication efforts.

Tragically, the war claimed the life of former developer Volodymyr Yezhov, who was killed in action in Bakhmut in December 2022.

Despite the tumultuous backdrop, 'S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2' topped the Steam sales charts prior to its release and impressively sold over a million copies within just 48 hours.

The game has received positive reviews from players, although some technical issues have been reported, which the studio is actively working to resolve.