– Do I understand correctly that you are the main data supplier of GSC Game World in the “That Same Stalker” (“VTSS”) Bulletin?
– Based on STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl? Yes. Moreover, I can say this not only for “VTSS” but for the whole “follower” community in general.
– Did you become the administrator of VTSS only after the leak?
– The day before the leak. Actually, because I brought the data.
Can you tell me where you got the data from?
– From sources at GSC.
Q: Does GSC’s post-leak claim that data was stolen in a hack have anything to do with these sources?
“There was no attack, but my representatives and I wanted studio management to believe it.
In general, there is a lot of nonsense in the GSC description. They wrote that we took responsibility for the theft, but this is a lie. When we announced in the March 11 post that we were preparing to leak data, and the comments below it, there was not a word about the hack. Moreover, we did not take any responsibility for it.
I think GSC’s statement proves that the studio did not investigate, investigate and control the published data. At least they made a stuffing for some kind of reaction.
“If it’s not theft, there’s only one option left. Information leaked by insiders?
“Listen, I can’t argue about this. I don’t want to expose my agents. But I can assure you I’m aware of what’s going on at GSC. The evidence is the 16GB of data in the previously released STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl.
– When did you receive the data?
– I bought them in portions. I will not say from what date, but I will note that they came to me by March 14. So when I announced the leak, everything was out of my hands.
– Have you decided right away that you want to publish them?
– NO. I gave GSC time to rethink and soften their attitude towards Russian-speaking players. They did not meet the conditions. I kept my word and published it.
– Why do you think insiders decided to plant a GSC pig?
“I don’t just think, I definitely know. Only all employees of the company do not agree with the position of the far right of the team and one of the leaders.
– What do you want to say?
– Their fierce appearance against the Russian-speaking community of “followers” and players in general in 2022.
– Are there Russians among the developers of STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl?
“I haven’t done DNA testing, so I don’t know for sure. I can only say that every day I personally see Russian correspondence among many GSC employees.
What is there … The interface (menu, settings, etc.) of STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is currently being developed in Russian.
– Are you aware of GSC’s reaction to the data leak inside the studio? Have you had a meeting? Has anyone reported?
There was a meeting, but nothing interesting was announced there.
– It is not interesting to you, but outsiders want to know all the details …
– No comment. I can’t talk about it.
– Do I understand correctly that you continue to receive information about what is happening at GSC?
– NO. They checked all my agents according to Aryan standards, revealed they were Muscovite and shot them.
And if there are no jokes, then yes, I get information almost every day.
– You stated that you originally leaked 30GB of data from GSC, but only 16.5GB of it was released. From where?
– The rest was requested not to be published by the people who entrusted this data to me.
– Were insiders satisfied with the outcome of the leak?
– Yes. I will say more, I liked it so much that we are preparing a new drain.
It is quite possible that we will publish the remaining data and something else.
– You said that after the leak, GSC management closed access to game files for many employees and development has actually stopped. Almost a month has passed. Has anything changed?
– Enhancement reverted to previous mode. They moved the game files to other repositories over time. I can not say that they are very reliable because GSC actively uses public services such as Google Drive.
The GSC leadership began to get paranoid. They try to improve something in terms of data protection, but often they take wrong steps.
-Don’t you think the studio is a little negligent about information security?
– Oh, they’re a mess. Many things work on a verbal agreement. It’s ridiculous sometimes. For example, if an employee says he was hacked and then hacked, there will be no doubt and no control.
– What do you think it’s connected to?
– To be honest, I don’t know. But it seems to me it’s because the deadlines are on fire. Nothing is done, so they give up some administrative tasks.
– What does “not working” mean?
– Directly. They are releasing the game scheduled for the end of 2023. At the same time, I estimate the readiness of the game at 25%. Neither the shot nor any other mechanic apparently was completed to the end. The game might even come out tomorrow, but it’s in such a messed up and clipped state that it will fail.
If development continues as originally planned, the release will only be available from the second half of 2024 or later.
Then why did they announce the game so early? Want to earn from pre-orders?
– I have no idea. I only know that GSC will only be able to get the money for pre-orders after the game’s release.
– How did the Ukrainian Stalker community react to your data being leaked?
– The ultra-nationalists got burned and the normal people reacted positively. But the latter was much less.
Haters started inventing and telling fairy tales about me being a bad Russian Russian, threatening developers, and other nonsense. But none of this is true.
– Based on what is known today about Heart of Chornobyl, we can say that there are no manifestations of Russian hostility in the game…
I think it’s too early to draw conclusions. We have leaked many concept and design documents, but what will happen in the final version is unknown. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s full of anti-Russian jokes and references.
– Did you personally profit from this whole story full of leaks?
– I did not receive a single ruble, only fame and that’s it. I will not ask for any more money. If the build (meaning the early version of the game – ed. note) will be merged, then it will be completely free.