“Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl” is an expansive game with a massive map and an intricate story that takes around 100 hours to fully explore. Despite its size, the game was crafted with meticulous attention to detail, with every part of the world manually designed. This approach contrasts with the use of procedural generation, a technique often employed to save development time and cost by automating the creation of some game elements.
During Gamescom 2024, GamesRadar+ spoke with technical producer Yevhenii Kulyk, who discussed the challenges of creating a memorable and playable map. Kulyk emphasized that the map’s vastness did not come at the expense of its quality or uniqueness. The goal was to ensure that each location in the game stands out and is easily remembered by players.
Kulyk pointed out that “Stalker 2” avoided procedural generation, which is commonly used to generate variations in-game assets and environments. Instead, every detail in the game was crafted by hand, involving a dedicated team of level designers and artists. This careful design process ensures that players experience a uniquely tailored world, with no identical buildings or rooms, making each player’s experience distinct.
The development of “Stalker 2” faced significant obstacles due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. GSC Game World, the studio behind the game, has had to navigate these challenges while continuing development. Despite the difficulties, including the establishment of a new office in Prague, many developers have remained in Kyiv, and some have even chosen to fight in the war.
“Stalker 2” has been in the works since its initial announcement in 2010 and is now set to release on November 20 for Xbox Series X/S and PC. The game’s long development history and the impressive craftsmanship involved in its creation underscore its anticipated impact on players.
