After 15 years of anticipation, six release delays, and a change in ownership, the much-awaited game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 was finally released on November 20. According to Techinfo.com.ua, this information was highlighted in an interview.
Two weeks after the game’s launch, Forbes Ukraine interviewed Maksym Krippa, the current owner of GSC Game World. In this exclusive conversation, the venture investor shared insights about the game’s release, the team behind it, and plans for the future.
A Groundbreaking Release
Businessman Maksym Krippa described the release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 as a monumental achievement, both commercially and culturally. He emphasized that the game has become a symbol of Ukrainian creativity and resilience, as most of the development work took place amidst the challenges of a full-scale invasion, airstrikes, and power outages.
Over 1 million copies of the game were sold within the first 36 hours of its release. In November, Twitch users collectively spent more than 20 million hours watching game streams, underscoring the global anticipation for the return of this legendary series.
The Team Behind the Success
Yevhen and Maria Hryhorovych were key figures in the development of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, managing the operational and organizational aspects of the project. The development team grew significantly over time, expanding from 65 people in 2020 to a robust workforce of 470—200, of whom 270 worked remotely from various countries, while 270 were based in Ukraine.
Future Prospects
Although the number of copies sold remains undisclosed, Maksym Krippa confirmed that the project has already made a profit. He also hinted at broader opportunities for the franchise, comparing it to “The Witcher,” which successfully expanded into books, games, and a Netflix series. Discussions about adapting S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 into a Netflix series are ongoing, although no final decision has been made yet.
Krippa’s ambitions for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 reflect his belief in the global potential of Ukrainian storytelling, with the game serving as both an entertainment milestone and a source of national pride.
