Russian fans of the STALKER 2 shooter faced a surprising turn as GSC Game World halted sales of the anticipated game inside Russia. What began as a long-awaited preorder experience for many players ended with an abrupt cancellation as the developer chose to stop selling the title in the country. The news left a notable portion of the STALKER community disappointed, especially those who believed their preorders might still be honored despite the company’s decision to restrict distribution at home.
GSC Game World, the Ukrainian studio behind STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl, made the move to withhold the game from the Russian market. This action spurred hopes among fans that they could obtain the title through alternate channels. For some, the preorder process had already been completed, and there was a belief that retailers or the publisher would honor these commitments even if the official storefronts did not carry the game locally. In the days that followed, a lingering question persisted about whether the game would still reach buyers who had already placed orders.
Retailer M.Video weighed in on the situation, explaining that it could not renegotiate terms with developers and publishers to fulfill preorders. Consequently, many orders were set to be canceled. The retailer stated that the decision originated from the developers and publishers and that regional factors outside the store’s control would prevent fulfillment. As a result, the STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl preorder cancellations were anticipated to occur automatically in the coming days, which disappointed those who hoped for a different outcome. The broader stance from the Russian market reflected a blanket ban on the sale of the game, including digital copies and physical editions, as well as collectible items tied to the title.
Beyond STALKER 2, M.Video also noted that other action titles would not be available in Russia, including Ghostwire: Tokyo and Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. Meanwhile, ongoing discussions about other titles such as Gran Turismo 7 and WWE 2K22 had not yet reached a resolution, leaving fans and collectors in a state of uncertainty about future releases and availability in the Russian market.
STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl initially carried a planned release date in 2022, first slated for April 28 and then shifted to December 8 of that year. Since then, development has faced significant disruption, with reports suggesting the team has relocated part of their operations to the Czech Republic. The situation illustrates the broader impact of regional actions on international game development and distribution, highlighting how political and logistical factors can influence a title’s fate long after its initial reveal. For players watching these developments, the story remains a reminder that even highly anticipated games can encounter sudden shifts in availability and release plans, depending on evolving regulatory and corporate decisions.