STALKER 2 is Still Happening, Planned for 2021

STALKER 2, the anticipated-now-forgotten sequel to GSC Game World's STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl, is actually happening. According to a newly created website, the game has a launch window of 2021.

The original STALKER game, released in 2007, was set in a nuclear power plant in Soviet Russia. The player navigates the aftermath of the critical meltdown of 1986. It would go on to receive critical acclaim and a number of spin-off titles.

News of a proper sequel comes as a surprise to many. This is because developers GSC shut down in 2011, halting the development of STALKER 2 entirely. The company was revived in 2015, where they announced the development of a real-time strategy game titled Cossacks 3. They've been quiet since.

Now, for no clear or apparent reason, STALKER 2 has appeared on the GSC website as an in-progress title, linking to the game's website. Said website simply lists the game name, and the year 2021.

According to Sergey Galyonkin, an employee of Epic Games and the creator of the SteamSpy service, implies that GSC has licensed Epics Unreal Engine 4 for an upcoming game. He does so rather indirectly, that is.

So far, nothing else is known about the title. Though given the high level of public interest, we expect them to make an announcement of some kind fairly soon.