GSC Game World, the developer of the Stalker series, has announced a delay in the release of Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl.
The developers initially revealed the hotly-anticipated sequel would release during the first quarter of 2024 but now, fans of the series will need to wait until September 5, 2024, to load into the action.
Stalker 2 was first announced in 2010 before the first gameplay trailer was showcased during the E3 2021 presentation over a decade later. In a bid to ensure a quality product is released after years of development, GSC Game World has shed light on its decision to push the release date back further.
Following Gamescom 2023, the developer shared two points that led to the revelation of the final release date in September:
"The second was on the technical side. The game needed more time in the oven."
GSC Game World also revealed that 'technical imperfections' were holding Stalker 2 below the standards set by the developer. While the delay is certainly frustrating for those patiently waiting for the Stalker sequel to see the light of day, it's good to see the developers taking their time to release a finished product instead of one that will require numerous updates to rectify any outlying issues.
The September 5 release date marks the end of a turbulent development cycle for Stalker 2. Having initially been announced in 2010 with a 2012 launch in mind, the game has experienced numerous delays with some due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Although the most recent trailer doesn't necessarily show any new features from GSC Game World, it does showcase the optimism of the studio which seems confident the game will not be held up any further holdups which is always good news for those wanting to start exploring the wastelands.