Roskomnadzor has placed the website of the STALKER 2 creator, GSC Game World, under restricted access as part of its registry actions. The move appears to be connected to a formal request from the country’s Attorney General, indicating a state-level intervention in digital content related to the studio and its products.
The restriction is implemented under Section 15.3 of the Federal Law known as Information, Information Technologies and Information Protection. This law governs how access to online resources is limited when those resources are alleged to promote riots, extremism, or participation in illegal public events. In practice, the clause provides authorities with a mechanism to curb sites that are deemed to pose such risks to public order or security.
On the studio’s home page a note was posted about the ongoing situation in Ukraine, reflecting the studio’s stance and its position on the conflict. Previously, the developers had announced a decision not to sell their games in Russia. At the same time, pre-orders for STALKER 2 were halted, though those who had already placed orders in the digital storefront would still receive their copies when the game became available.
STALKER 2 was initially scheduled for release on April 28, 2022. Earlier in the year the project team indicated a delay and pinned a new date on the calendar for December 28. Subsequently, updates emerged about a pause in development, and there were reports about plans to relocate the studio, with Czech Republic as a potential destination. The sequence of announcements and strategic discussions reflects a broader pattern of program timing, regional considerations, and the realignment of development efforts in a shifting market environment.
In this broader context, the situation underscores how political and legal dynamics can intersect with the operations of game studios. Companies operating in multi-country environments must navigate a web of laws, regulatory actions, and public statements that can quickly influence access to their digital properties, consumer expectations, and their long term plans.