After months of quiet, the team behind a large-scale modification of STALKER 2: OldConcept—which seeks to revive the second part canceled back in 2011—shared holiday greetings and offered a fresh development diary with a new screenshot from the project. The post signals continued momentum and a clear sense of direction for a fan-made revival that aims to expand the STALKER universe with fresh ideas while honoring the original atmosphere.
In the journal entry, the modding group outlined that the project has evolved through three distinct development approaches over three years. Beginning in 2020, the team built prototype scenes across several versions of the X-Ray engine, including X-RayOxygen, OpenX-Ray, and X-Ray Rentgen Luch. In 2021, the project transitioned to X-Ray v2.0, followed by an extended testing phase. During this period, developers gathered diverse locations, refined test mechanics, and evaluated how the new engine could support seamless exploration and immersive encounters. By 2022, serious work commenced: environment and character models were crafted, first-person and facial animations were prototyped, and the engine itself underwent substantial reworking to support modern fidelity and performance expectations.
The authors also explained why progress has been gradual. They cited three main factors: limited financial backing, the personal commitments and lives of team members, and ongoing challenges with the engine under consideration. Those constraints have shaped a careful, iterative development rhythm, prioritizing stability and polish over rapid iteration.
Looking ahead, the team shared several key design directions for the mod:
- The game world will be fully open, with seamless transitions between regions to preserve immersion.
- The world size is expected to be at least six square kilometers, offering expansive exploration opportunities.
- Events will unfold in the year 2015, situating the narrative within a defined historical frame of the STALKER universe.
- The protagonist will be the Shooter, a nod to the franchise’s recognizable central figure and his unique perspective on the Zone.
- Roughly fifty weapon models are planned for inclusion, providing diverse tools for exploration and combat alike.
- First-person animations are being built from scratch to deliver more authentic, responsive moments in gunplay and movement.
The update also touched on new gameplay visuals and technical aspirations that fans will likely watch closely as development continues. While such fan-driven projects face a complex road, the team remains committed to delivering a faithful yet modernized STALKER experience that resonates with both long-time followers and new players exploring the universe for the first time. (VG Times)
In the broader context of the STALKER community, fan-made projects of this scale underscore how entrenched the series has become in the minds of players and modders alike. The work reflects a dedication to preserving the atmosphere—haunting landscapes, a sense of danger around every corner, and the distinctive blend of survival mechanics and science fiction storytelling that defined the original releases. As fans watch for updates, the modding team emphasizes patience and careful craftsmanship, signaling that quality often takes longer when it aims to capture the core of what made STALKER memorable in the first place.
Updates from the development diary suggest a deliberate emphasis on technical fidelity and environmental storytelling. The team is balancing open-world ambition with performance constraints, aiming to ensure the world feels alive without compromising stability. The blend of reimagined assets, new animation pipelines, and engine refinements points toward a project that treats STALKER not merely as a nostalgia trip, but as a living homage that could stand alongside contemporary post-apocalyptic titles for fans seeking depth and immersion. (VG Times)