S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Developer Is Victim of Hacker Group, GSC Game World Issues Statement

[T0@st]

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.

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[Vayra86]

The development of this game is now worthy of its own game.

Well played

 

[vbq7qK68eyYAH4iR]

Why can't they decide to do whatever they want with their product? Why do Russian hackers get to bully them and GSC has to appease the hackers and include their language localisation? I know if I were getting hacked by someone, I wouldn't do work to help that country play my game.

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.

 

[bug]

I think the best response right now would be for people to preorder this en-masse.

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

 

[VulkanBros]

I think the best response right now would be for people to preorder this en-masse.

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

Same here...will be a self-gift.
Have been using YubiKeys with LastPass for 8 years now...never going back.

 

[bug]

Have been using YubiKeys with LastPass for 8 years now...never going back.

Yeah, no, the trick isn't using YubiKeys with LastPass, it's using YubiKeys instead of LastPass. I don't think I'll get very far, the support isn't all there. But let's stick to the topic.

 

[Upgrayedd]

I think the best response right now would be for people to preorder this en-masse.

Why is that? Why pre-pay for something that could be an absolute mess? Because of political reasons? Let them make their game and if they want to censor it out of spite for certain players then I'll censor my wallet from it.

Why can't they decide to do whatever they want with their product? Why do Russian hackers get to bully them and GSC has to appease the hackers and include their language localisation? I know if I were getting hacked by someone, I wouldn't do work to help that country play my game.

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.

Imagine you got hacked because you wouldn't include a language for a player base who has nothing to do with your hardships. Excluding Russian doesn't do anything to fight Russia. It's just spiteful towards Russian gamers who supported GSC for years and years.

Gamers aren't responsible so why punish them?

 

[bug]

Why is that? Why pre-pay for something that could be an absolute mess? Because of political reasons? Let them make their game and if they want to censor it out of spite for certain players then I'll censor my wallet from it.

To send a signal hacking and blackmailing don't work.

 

[Upgrayedd]

To send a signal hacking and blackmailing don't work.

How do you know they aren't just lying for some PR?

 

[bug]

How do you know they aren't just lying for some PR?

Well, if you really want to know, I'm using any excuse these days to send some money the way of Ukraine. And I wish I could send more. There, happy now?

 

[R-T-B]

Why is that? Why pre-pay for something that could be an absolute mess? Because of political reasons?

Yes, and I really don't mind that.

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

How do you know they aren't just lying for some PR?

I just got off the Illuminati hotline with Dave, he says this is legit, not 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.

 

[ZoneDymo]

I think the best response right now would be for people to preorder this en-masse.

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

This is a joke right?

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)

 

[80251]

So it is a Russian hacker group? You would think the Russians would feel some guilt over how they've historically treated Ukranians, from the Holodomor to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster to invading their country.

 

[Lionheart]

Ah yes, Russian Hackers, definitely not hackers from the Western World pretending to Russian.

 

[Lordken]

Why is that? Why pre-pay for something that could be an absolute mess? Because of political reasons? Let them make their game and if they want to censor it out of spite for certain players then I'll censor my wallet from it.


Imagine you got hacked because you wouldn't include a language for a player base who has nothing to do with your hardships. Excluding Russian doesn't do anything to fight Russia. It's just spiteful towards Russian gamers who supported GSC for years and years.

Gamers aren't responsible so why punish them?

Why spread nonsense? Gamers doesnt have voting rights? Yes they do - unless they are underage teens, in that case they can complain to parents.

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...

 

[80251]

@Lordken
What if Russia is less a real democracy and just a Potemkin village style democracy?

 

[Ferrum Master]

These days I am not buying games on release date ever. I am not into unpaid beta testa test, thank you. Beth soft has taught me well.

 

[GunShot]

Why is that? Why pre-pay for something that could be an absolute mess? Because of political reasons? Let them make their game and if they want to censor it out of spite for certain players then I'll censor my wallet from it.


Imagine you got hacked because you wouldn't include a language for a player base who has nothing to do with your hardships. Excluding Russian doesn't do anything to fight Russia. It's just spiteful towards Russian gamers who supported GSC for years and years.

Gamers aren't responsible so why punish them?

I just find the whole "hack" thing just a little... uhm... yeah... IDK... either way, though, I ONLY purchase a title IF its worthy and serves my interests, game-breaking issue free, etc, not for any other reason or cause.

 

[lemonadesoda]

I think the official trailer bombed and they need some drama to regain interest. The original STALKER was fantastic. But what I have seen so far of the new version, after all these years of development, is pretty poor. It's like they got stuck in 2007, with just "upping" the graphics on the old engine, and couldn't really work out what to do with the storyline, just milk the franchise name.

Graphics, storyline, game concept, player role, official trailer - I'll be giving it a miss.

 

[Vayra86]

Why spread nonsense? Gamers doesnt have voting rights? Yes they do - unless they are underage teens, in that case they can complain to parents.

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...

Wir haben es nicht gewusst... history repeats. You are 100% right. Even if that reality is uncomfortable. The Russians never had it easy. But its still their problem.

I think the official trailer bombed and they need some drama to regain interest. The original STALKER was fantastic. But what I have seen so far of the new version, after all these years of development, is pretty poor. It's like they got stuck in 2007, with just "upping" the graphics on the old engine, and couldn't really work out what to do with the storyline, just milk the franchise name.

Graphics, storyline, game concept, player role, official trailer - I'll be giving it a miss.

Yep. GSC was, is and likely continues to be a mess. Im surprised this title is even looking like its going places. But ... I want it to.

 

[80251]

I hope GSC can out-STALKER the Metro series (where the influence of the Stalker series is quite obvious -- especially in Exodus).

 

[Upgrayedd]

Why spread nonsense? Gamers doesnt have voting rights? Yes they do - unless they are underage teens, in that case they can complain to parents.

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...

You really think their vote counts over there? Lolol

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.

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

This is a joke right?

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 was adequate mind nudging for me, I had forgot what you said and in effect why 2 isn't already out instead of metro, I still think this is shitty, but that IS what hackers specialise in, Shitty.
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.

 

[bug]

This was adequate mind nudging for me, I had forgot what you said and in effect why 2 isn't already out instead of metro, I still think this is shitty, but that IS what hackers specialise in, Shitty.
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.

As a developer myself (no games, tho), I will tell you you can find drama and dirt in pretty much every company, if that's what you're looking for. On top of that, some years ago I have worked with people who had part of their team in Kyiv. They were "not nice", to put it mildly.
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.