Monday, March 13th 2023
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Developer Is Victim of Hacker Group, GSC Game World Issues Statement
GSC Game World has released a defiant statement, in the face of threats of ransomed S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 data. It provides an update about one of its employee's accounts being compromised by hackers, and as a result of this, the studio is now threatened with blackmail. A statement was posted, March 12, on the GSC Game World's official Twitter account. The developer is urging that fans refrain from sharing leaked material and spoilers, and warns that the final product should not be pre-judged in a harsh light, based on any of the leaked work-in-progress material.
It is not unusual for hacker groups to threaten game developers and publishers. Rockstar Games was the victim of a leak in 2022, when videos of its in-development and upcoming video game Grand Theft Auto 6 were uploaded to forums. The in-game footage was spread across social media and the internet, and shortly thereafter, a hacker wanted to "negotiate a deal" with Rockstar Games. Source code for GTA 5 & 6 was used as leverage.
A Pro-Russia hacker group is attempting to blackmail GSC Game World, and claims that it has obtained "tens of gigabytes" of game material as well as personal information relating to the Ukrainian development team. According to social media posts, the group is threatening to leak significant portions of the in-progress S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 game. The hackers demand that GSC Game World shift their political messaging in regards to Russia and Belarus, and "apologize for the unworthy attitude towards ordinary players from these countries." The hackers have also called for Russian language localization to be reintegrated into the game. A deadline has been set for March 15, 2023, otherwise "full story, cutscenes, concept art, and global maps" will be released on the internet.
GSC Game World has experienced significant strife in recent times, and declares that threats from a hacker group are not even the greatest of their current concerns: "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. Attempts to blackmail or intimidate us are completely futile.
Our unwavering commitment to supporting our country remains unchanged - we will continue to do everything possible to support Ukraine. And this won't change in the future under any circumstances. Despite the attempts to break us, we remain strong and courageous. Because when you believe in something and love it with all your heart, you have to defend it at all costs.. Our mission is to commit all of our strength and passion to complete the project and deliver it to you, despite all the obstacles on the way. Your support is our inspiration," the statement concludes. "Glory to Ukraine."
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 has an estimated release date of 'December 2023'. Preordering is available via Steam, Epic Games Store, Microsoft Store, GOG as well as on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles.
Sources:
Gamerant.com Article, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. OFFICIAL Twitter Post
It is not unusual for hacker groups to threaten game developers and publishers. Rockstar Games was the victim of a leak in 2022, when videos of its in-development and upcoming video game Grand Theft Auto 6 were uploaded to forums. The in-game footage was spread across social media and the internet, and shortly thereafter, a hacker wanted to "negotiate a deal" with Rockstar Games. Source code for GTA 5 & 6 was used as leverage.
Our unwavering commitment to supporting our country remains unchanged - we will continue to do everything possible to support Ukraine. And this won't change in the future under any circumstances. Despite the attempts to break us, we remain strong and courageous. Because when you believe in something and love it with all your heart, you have to defend it at all costs.. Our mission is to commit all of our strength and passion to complete the project and deliver it to you, despite all the obstacles on the way. Your support is our inspiration," the statement concludes. "Glory to Ukraine."
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 has an estimated release date of 'December 2023'. Preordering is available via Steam, Epic Games Store, Microsoft Store, GOG as well as on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles.
34 Comments on S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Developer Is Victim of Hacker Group, GSC Game World Issues Statement
Well played
edit: I was responding to a user who either deleted their post, or had it removed. The quote I made of their post was also removed from my post.
My birthday is coming up, so I'm going to gift this to myself. And a pair of Yubikeys, see how much I can rid myself of passwords :D
Have been using YubiKeys with LastPass for 8 years now...never going back.
Gamers aren't responsible so why punish them?
Terrible I'll be buying the first game for any relative with a pc , pre ordering this , might even give away a couple and I'm certainly glad I didn't fund russian software houses that didn't have to put up with this shit despite their shitpost of a game IE atomic fart.
Some of the reactions here surprise me, I am not the only one here not born yesterday right?
Wanting to support Ukraine? ok well then send money to organizations aiding Ukraine....not some for profit developer that left the country.....
I have to repeat myself from the last article about Stalker 2, the main guy running the show is apparently an absolute fraudulent asshole, so much so that the original devs, the people that made the STALKER games we all love so much, LEFT THE COMPANY and formed 4A games and made the Metro series.
The people who gave you STALKER arnt there anymore apart from the jackass who is the very reason they are not there anymore....
And, about the whole not being born yesterday, have we not heard this before? some "hacker" broke in right when we get close to release or at least what should be something tangible to a final product by now?
And apparently we should ignore the game footage because that is "totally not representative" of the final product?
I feel like I have heard that story a hundred times, shall we not forget how CDproject Red did not allow game journalist to share their own gameplay experiences and only show premade footage provided by CDproject Red? totally not a red flag huh?
Seems to me this game might be kinda crappy im many ways (which im not shocked about, again, not born yesterday) and they want to cash in on that hype money which goes away if too many people see the game for what it is.
.....but of course....I COULD be wrong.....
(also never pre-order, it does not help you, it does not help them, its a bad practice all around, just buy when its out if you want it so much)
This is uber bullshit, excusing someone of responsibility. Yes people are responsible. Surprise! There were multiple elections up until this point, ppl wasting them is on them. Its not unsimilar whats happening in west, you have only so many chances to miss (when you can go wrong with goverment), after that, yes, it is becoming increasingly difficult to turn country around...but blame is on the ppl. Although its for good debate, who is more at fault/to blame when populists are exploiting stupid masses to get to power.
Tbh I'm so sick to see this attitude of "poor russians its not their fault, they cant talk against war bc repressions, lets feel sorry for them" well guess what, I seen perfect quote on interwebz recently "Even Iran's women has more courage than russian men" or something along that line, which is pretty sad...
What if Russia is less a real democracy and just a Potemkin village style democracy?
Graphics, storyline, game concept, player role, official trailer - I'll be giving it a miss.
But like others said. If you wanna hate Russia and support Ukraine don't do it by pre-ordering a video game from a private for profit company who happens to be from Ukraine who may or may not have a polished finished game. You aren't fighting the Russian war machine with your video game preorder you dorks.
Pre orders on hold , cash went direct to helping Ukraine instead, great reply Zoney, much better than being IN dork land as a time served member then calling all around dorks.
I will buy the game for all I listed if it's worth it in time.
Despite all that, I'm still going to preorder.
NB I am not telling anyone to do the same. Even my initial post was just my wishful thinking, nothing more.
Yet 2 isn't out yet, like who parted with the talent , ,,was Gsc a dick?!? \{°°)/ I dunno, but the hackers were, I will buy in, when it's out and I'll consider the preorder.
Shit I'm flakey today