STALKER 2 Marks One Year with PS5 Launch and Major Updates

One year after its launch on PC and Xbox Series S and X, STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is set to debut on the PlayStation 5. This milestone comes following a challenging development process for GSC Game World, which included significant setbacks due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The game initially garnered an 8 out of 10 rating from reviewers, highlighting its ambitious features while acknowledging the need for additional refinements.

In the past year, GSC Game World has released numerous updates to enhance the gaming experience. The latest update, which went live this week, focuses on improving the A-Life system and introduces new difficulty modes. As the game prepares to reach a broader audience on the PS5, questions about its progress and future plans prompted a discussion with key developers, including Communications Director Zakhar Bocharov and Technical Director Ievgen Kulyk.

Reflections on Success and Future Developments

In response to how GSC Game World views the game’s performance over the past year, Bocharov stated, “One million copies sold in under three days and several million players through Game Pass on PC and Xbox can undoubtedly be considered successful figures.” The developer has issued seven major updates and numerous smaller patches, significantly altering the game since its initial release.

When asked about the addition of gyro aiming for the PS5 controller, Kulyk expressed confidence in its potential to enhance gameplay comfort. “Preferences for a specific control method are 100% a matter of taste,” he noted, emphasizing that players can opt for various control schemes, including gamepads on PC and keyboard and mouse on consoles.

Bocharov highlighted the immersive features enabled by the PS5’s DualSense controller, stating, “Haptic feedback works great — this PS5 feature still feels fresh to me in many games, including ours.” The technical enhancements for the PS5 Pro version align with the console’s capabilities, aiming for impressive performance benchmarks.

Technical Enhancements and Future Features

The PS5 version targets specific performance metrics: the base PS5 will run at 2K 60 FPS for performance mode and 4K 30 FPS for quality mode. The PS5 Pro is expected to deliver 4K 60 FPS for performance and 4K 30 FPS for quality. GSC Game World has opted for Unreal Engine 5-integrated TSR instead of PSSR, enhancing the game’s graphical fidelity.

Considering the complexities of console optimization, Bocharov indicated that while the PS5 Pro version leans towards PC High settings, direct comparisons will soon be available through gameplay videos. This insight reassures players of the PS5’s capabilities in delivering a quality gaming experience.

Both directors confirmed that features such as speaker support, gyro aiming, haptic feedback, and adaptive triggers will be available on PC with the DualSense controller beginning with update 1.7. Furthermore, Bocharov discussed the development roadmap, which includes an upgrade to a newer version of Unreal Engine 5, although specific timing remains uncertain.

Regarding new missions and the highly anticipated multiplayer mode, Bocharov provided limited insights, stating, “There are no new details right now, but we’ll share them on our social media as soon as we’re ready.” Players can expect the first of the planned STALKER 2 DLCs to release sometime next year, indicating GSC Game World’s commitment to expanding the game’s universe.

As STALKER 2 transitions into a new chapter with its PS5 launch, both the developers and fans remain optimistic about the game’s future and the continuous enhancements that aim to elevate the player experience. Follow updates from GSC Game World for the latest developments and announcements.