Stalker 2 dev tells pro-Russian hackers that "attempts to intimidate us are completely futile" amid blackmail threat

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 screenshot
(Image credit: GSC Game World)

Stalker 2 developer GSC Game Wo🌠rld has responded to reports it has been hacked by a pro-Russian outfit, confirming 💟that the group is seeking to "blackmail and intimidate" the studio.

As spotted by , it seems the studio received demands to "apologize for 📖the unworthy attitude towards ordinary players from [Russia and Belarus]" and reinstall the game's Russian localization. If the demands were not met by March 15, the hackers threatened to release "tens of gigabytes" of material taken from the unreleased game.

GSC Game World remain defiant, however. In a statement, the studio asked players to "refrain from watching or distributing information" about the game, particularly as outdated and work-in-progress m𓆉aterials "may dilute the impression of th⛎e final" version. 

"Recently, our employee's account for a collective work-with-images application was hacked," the team said in a statem𒉰ent posted to the developer's official Twitter account. "The responsibility for this was claimed by a community from a Russian social network.

"They are threatening to use the obtained data for blackmail and intimidation. This is not the first attempt to hack and leak our data, including personal information. We hไave been enduring constant cyberattacks for more than a year now. We have faced blackmail, acts of aggression, hacks, attempts to hurt players and fans, and efforts to damage the development process or the♐ reputation of our company. 

"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. Attem🌟pts to blackmail or intimidate us ꦡare completely futile.

"Our unwaverin𒅌g commitment to supporting our country remains unchanged – we will continue to do everything possible to support Ukꩵraine. And this won't change in the future under any circumstances."

The statement says the team remains "strong and courageous", "because when you believe in something and love it 𒅌with all your heart, you have to defend it at all costs".

"We have been through a lot. However, these challenges only encourage us to work even harder because we believe that the truth is on our side. Evil will ღnever win."

Stalker 2 was initially scheduled to release in December 2022 but has been delayed due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Work on the game has reportedly resumed, and Steam says the game is set to release in December 2023. If you're keen to get involved and would like to support the devs ahead of release, pre-orders are now open, although don't forget that Stalker 2's Ultimate Edition recently increased in price from later this month aftওer GSC said that "to keep the quality of alꦜl the collectible items at the desired level during these uneasy times". 

Stalker 2 is taking us back to the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, and it has quickly become one of our most anticipated 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:upcoming horror games, and we've described as "shaping up to be one of the most impressive upcoming horror games of the year"

Horror isn't just for Halloween, you know - here are our tips for the very 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best horror games.

Vikki Blake
Weekend Reporter, GamesRadar+

Vikki Blake is GamesRadar+'s Weekend Reporter. Vikki works tirelessly to ensure that you have something to read on the days of the week beginning with 'S', and can also be found contributing to outlets including the BBC, Eurogamer, and GameIndustry.biz. Vikki also runs a weekly games column at NME, and can be frequently found talking about Dest🎃iny 2 and Silent Hill on Twitter.