As we await the release of Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, a documentary has been released telling the story of the challenges faced by the Ukrainian team during development.
CSG Game World and Xbox have released today, October 3rd, War Game – The Making of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, a documentary offering an in-depth look at the emotional journey of GSC Game World, a Ukrainian development team with nearly 500 employees, as they navigate the challenges of creating the highly anticipated sequel to the 2007 first-person shooter S.T.A.L.K.E.R. amidst the outbreak of total war in Ukraine. What began as an ambitious project has evolved into a deeply personal and historical undertaking, forged in the most unimaginable circumstances.
Created in collaboration with Xbox and directed by Andrew Stephan (Power On: The Story of Xbox), the documentary tells the real stories of real people facing the reality of war at their doorstep. It touches on many themes, from capturing the essence of Chornobyl and Ukraine, to cultural independence, to video game development in a collapsing world, to personal and collective resilience and overcoming loss.
Throughout this process, Stalker 2 becomes more than just a game; it transforms into a lens through which a new reality is viewed. The developers grapple with their dual roles as creators and survivors, turning their game into a powerful symbol of resistance. When the foundations of existence are shaken, art becomes profoundly important.
As Andrew Stephan, the film’s director, states:
“This film is not just about the development of the most challenging game of all time. It speaks to resilience and the unyielding human spirit in the face of unimaginable challenges. It highlights the importance of creation in a time of destruction… an act of defiance to create something meaningful in the face of adversity.”
Mariia Grygorovych, creative director of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, adds:
“Personally speaking, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is the biggest and most complex video game of my life. It was ambitious from the outset, but it has proven to be an extreme challenge on its own. It’s extremely important and personal, and it’s a game created under the most stressful circumstances possible. Among them, the pandemic, relocation, cyber attacks and, above all, the war that is destroying our homeland. I wish the war had never happened. I wish none of this had ever occurred. But it did. And we are grateful for the opportunity to share all of this with the world because the world needs to know. This is us. This is our story.”
The war in Ukraine continues. GSC Game World is supporting the country in every possible way. For those who wish to do the same, you can follow the link to the official charity of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine – https://u24.gov.ua/.
Below you can watch the Stalker 2 documentary, remembering that the game will be available from November 20 on PC and Xbox Series X/S, also through Game Pass.