GSC Game World, the studio behind STALKER 2: The Heart of Chernobyl, faced a hostile breakthrough when blackmailers attempted to intimidate the company by threatening to release material from the unreleased game. Reports from the scene and coverage by GameRant through portals confirm the incident.
The developers acknowledged a leak in which an employee’s account was compromised. A group originating from a Russian social network claimed responsibility, according to GSC Game World. The studio noted that it has endured cyber attacks, blackmail, and threats before, and indicated it would not be swayed by such tactics. Fans were asked not to seek out or circulate leaked content to avoid shaping their perception of the final product before its official release.
Earlier, a post surfaced in a VKontakte community that referenced dozens of gigabytes of leaked material related to STALKER 2. The cache reportedly included cutscenes, concept art, and potentially an outline of the plot. The hackers pressed for changes in how the game would be marketed and localized, including a call for Russian language support and adjustments in tone toward players in different regions. The message from the group urged the public not to let political issues sabotage the game experience.
There was also mention of prior incidents in the security history of the project and the company’s ongoing commitment to protecting its development process while continuing to work toward a completed release for the gaming community. The situation highlights the broader challenge studios face in safeguarding confidential material during development while engaging with a global audience that eagerly anticipates new content from beloved franchises.