Quick Facts

  • Game: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
  • Developer: GSC Game World
  • Platforms: PC, Xbox Series S/X, PS5
  • Core Issue: Disputed statements regarding Xbox timed exclusivity funding

Developer GSC Game World has released an official statement refuting recent claims about Xbox's financial agreement for the timed console exclusivity of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. The controversy arose following comments from studio founder Sergiy Grygorovych, who stated in a video interview that Xbox paid a sum higher than the entire development cost of the game to secure a 12-month console exclusivity window.

GSC Game World stepped in to clarify that Grygorovych's remarks do not reflect the actual state of affairs. In a statement provided to Insider Gaming, the studio explained that Grygorovych was not involved in negotiations with partners regarding the game or its production cycle.

"In accordance with the agreements reached between the parties, Sergiy was not involved either in negotiations with partners regarding S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 or in the actual development of the game throughout its full production cycle," the team stated. "We have always fully honored these agreements on our side. For this reason, his comments regarding the company's activities cannot be considered an accurate reflection of the actual state of affairs."

Who Funded S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2?

Addressing the financial backing behind the project, GSC Game World clarified that studio owner Max Krippa provided the majority of the development budget. The team emphasized the extreme hardships faced during production.

"The development of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 became one of the most challenging projects in the history of the video game industry," the studio said. "We believe the story of this game should be based on facts, not on assumptions or subjective opinions."

During his initial interview, Grygorovych had claimed that Xbox moved quickly to secure the title after noticing high YouTube trailer viewership, bringing contracts for signing within roughly a week. However, the studio's official clarification draws a firm line under those figures, correcting the record on how production costs were covered prior to launch.