Key Highlights
- GSC Game World’s technical producer discusses the challenges of porting S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 to PS5 amid the ongoing Ukrainian conflict.
- The team faced unique obstacles such as electricity outages and the risk of losing development kits due to war-related disruptions.
- Despite these challenges, GSC Game World successfully delivered a polished version of the game for the PS5 platform.
The Challenges of Bringing S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 to PS5 Amidst Conflict
Amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, GSC Game World faced numerous challenges while developing a new version of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl for the PlayStation 5 (PS5). The game’s technical producer, Yevhenii Kulyk, spoke to Eurogamer about these difficulties and the innovative solutions his team developed.
Technical Innovations and Immersive Features
Kulyk emphasized that the main goal of the PS5 port was to introduce a new level of immersion using features from the DualSense controller. These included adaptive triggers, which were finely tuned so that each gun in the game felt unique. Additionally, advanced haptics technology allowed players to feel anomalies as they approached them, with beeping noises heard through the controller’s speaker.
The overall experience was visually enhanced for the PS5 Pro version, providing a more immersive and detailed environment for players.
Unique Challenges of War-Affected Development
A significant part of GSC Game World’s development team remains based in Ukraine. According to Kulyk, most of his colleagues are still working from home under challenging conditions. Electricity outages were a constant issue, leading the team to develop makeshift solutions such as miniature-nuclear fusion reactors powered by powerbanks and large batteries.
Another concern was the potential risk of losing development kits during transit to their offices in Prague. Despite these challenges, Kulyk stated that his teams continued to deliver excellent results, showing remarkable dedication despite the difficult circumstances.
The Impact on Game Development
The war has had a profound impact on game development processes. Kulyk mentioned the need for restructured work schedules and balancing multiple projects simultaneously—post-launch support, DLCs, and new content development. Despite these challenges, the team managed to deliver an impressive final product.
According to Zackhar Bocharov, PR manager at GSC Game World, the PS5 version of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 has achieved significant success, with one million copies sold in just three days and a total audience including Game Pass players numbering six million.
This demonstrates the game’s continued popularity despite the difficulties faced by the development team.
Stalker 2 is now available on PS5, alongside its previous releases on Xbox Series X|S and PC. The game continues to receive updates and new content from GSC Game World, ensuring a rich and evolving experience for players.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl remains a testament to the resilience and creativity of its development team, even as they face the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The game’s successful port to PS5 showcases GSC Game World’s commitment to delivering an immersive experience for gamers worldwide.
