STALKER 2 team says it was hacked by pro-Russian group, is being blackmailed
polygon.comGSC Game World, the Ukraine-based developer of STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, has been hacked, according to a statement from the studio on Sunday. An anonymous user on the Russian social media network VK has taken responsibility for the breach, and is threatening to release art and story details for the upcoming game unless its demands aren’t met by March 15. GSC confirmed the hack on social media, saying it would not be intimidated.
“This is not the first attempt to hack and leak our data, including personal information,” the developer said on Twitter. “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 never win.”
Hackers claim to have gained access to some 30 gigabytes of information, including concept art, environmental art and maps, and in-game screenshots and cutscenes that reveal the game’s story. Demands include a softening of the company’s attitude toward Russian and Belarusian fans, the unbanning of a specific account on the game’s official Discord channel, and an official Russian-language localization for the game (STALKER 2 will feature English and Ukranian voiceover, and Russian-language subtitles). Developers at GSC Game World tell Polygon that none of those demands will be met.
A message from GSC Game World team pic.twitter.com/rqRM0tFZmO
“Despite the attempts to break us, we remain strong and courageous,” GSC said in a statement. “In the event of any leaks, we ask that you refrain from watching or distributing information about STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl. Outdated and work-in-progress materials may dilute the impression of the final idea that we have put into the game.”
Ukraine-based GSC released the
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