STALKER 2 is one of the best examples of Xbox's modern efforts toward delivering experiences that can't be found anywhere else. The original STALKER wasn't a blockbuster game release and odds are that STALKER 2 won't be either. However, STALKER was a cult hit and has a dedicated following that's waited over a decade for more. All those fans have to do is be a little more patient. Though if one of STALKER 2's voice actors is to be believed, the wait may not be as long as many have assumed.
Voice actor Alexander Vilkov is known for his work on the original STALKER, but he's now confirmed to also be returning for STALKER 2. The Ukrainian recently shared some information on his Instagram account that has many wondering if his information is accurate. Specifically, Vilkov offhandedly mentions that the sequel will be "released soon" and that "they want winter" for STALKER 2's launch.
Suffice to say, a winter launch for STALKER 2 would be a surprise to everyone. Not only has GSC Game World not announced a release date for STALKER 2 yet, but it also hasn't shown much of the game whatsoever. Yet if Vilkov is to be believed, GSC Game World is tentatively planning to launch STALKER 2 this winter, with an announcement likely to come sometime this summer. If true, the news would likely be warmly received by STALKER's biggest fans.
Of course, there's, unfortunately, no real reason to be confident in Vilkov's release window knowledge. It's a common trend in the video game industry for voice actors to let slip knowledge about a game's release plans, but more often than not it's inaccurate. Either the voice actor heard the news early in development and plans have since changed, or the information they heard was incorrect or from an unreliable source.
What makes the rumor about STALKER 2's release window being in 2021 so unreliable isn't just how little GSC Game World has shared about the game, but what it has shared in the first place. All GSC Game World has shared is largely concept art. It's the kind of material that's shared when a game is still years away from release, as opposed to less than a year.
On the other hand, GSC Game World could be on the verge of having STALKER 2 ready to share and is simply fine-tuning the game and polishing it for public presentation. It would be a major surprise, but certainly a welcome one. That said, STALKER fans should, as always, keep their expectations in check until an official announcement is made.
STALKER 2 is in development for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: DTF