Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[S.T.A.L.K.E.R. vets form new studio, working on MMOFPS called Survarium]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/25/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-vets-form-new-studio-working-on-mmofps-called-su/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/25/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-vets-form-new-studio-working-on-mmofps-called-su/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/25/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-vets-form-new-studio-working-on-mmofps-called-su/#comments
Veterans of Ukrainian developer GSC Game World, developers of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series, have formed a new studio called Vostock Games. The company will be developing a massively multiplayer online first-person shooter called Survarium. As RockPaperShotgun reports, it will be a Stalker-like MMOFPS, as the company was unable to secure the rights to the Stalker franchise.

Although S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2 is officially "frozen," it feels like this brings closure to the saga that started last December, when word first spread of GSC Game World shutting down. Shortly after, the news roller coaster started, with the studio's fate lifted to uncertain, then to hopeful, and then back down again.

Vostock plans to hold a Twitter Q&A tomorrow, April 26, to discuss Survarium.

JoystiqS.T.A.L.K.E.R. vets form new studio, working on MMOFPS called Survarium originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gscGSC-Game-Worldpcstalker-2SurvariumVostockVostock-GamesWed, 25 Apr 2012 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 animation reel spotted]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-animation-reel-spotted/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-animation-reel-spotted/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-animation-reel-spotted/#comments
The animation video above, the work of animator Sergey Zhukov, was posted on the official S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Twitter account today. He has left GSC Game World, but according to the Twitter account "his work remains." What, like on Twitter? Sure, stuff posted there remains for the longest.

After reports in late 2011 that GSC had closed its doors, spokesperson Oleg Yavorsky said a cancelation wasn't certain and outlined plans to seek funding to finish the game (so, where's the Kickstarter?). We've contacted GSC for a statement -- should we read this animation reel as proof of life? -- and will update accordingly.

JoystiqS.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 animation reel spotted originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gsc-game-worldpcstalker-2Mon, 09 Apr 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 still in development, GSC seeking funds to continue]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-still-in-development-gsc-seeking-funds-to-cont/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-still-in-development-gsc-seeking-funds-to-cont/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-still-in-development-gsc-seeking-funds-to-cont/#comments S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is still in development, GSC Game World announced via the official S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Facebook page, writing, "The Stalker team is extremely happy! Why? Because we are continuing work on Stalker 2 after the holidays." GSC is celebrating, for now -- spokesperson Oleg Yavorsky said GSC is still seeking funding to support S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, according to a statement published by Edge.

"We are hopeful things turn out well eventually," Yavorsky said. "The team really wants to see S.T.A.L.K.E.R. continue."

In December, GSC responded to rumors that it would be shut down, saying that there was cause for hope and to await news in January. Things seem to be going well at the moment, but we have contacted GSC for clarification on its financial situation and the continued development of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2.

JoystiqS.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 still in development, GSC seeking funds to continue originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>closureGSC-Game-Worldoleg-yavorskypcstalker-2Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[S.T.A.L.K.E.R. devs: 'There is cause for hope,' more news in January]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-devs-there-is-cause-for-hope-more-news-in-jan/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-devs-there-is-cause-for-hope-more-news-in-jan/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-devs-there-is-cause-for-hope-more-news-in-jan/#comments GSC Game World, developer of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series, was rumored to have shut down earlier this month, a move that would have affected roughly 45 employees. However, GSC still appears to be alive and kicking wiggling its legs slightly, announcing via Twitter that "there is cause for hope!"

In the same tweet, GSC said it "will not be releasing any official news until around mid January," which suggests the studio will still be running in some capacity at least until then. GSC was developing S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, and we can only hope for some good news in January from the studio.

JoystiqS.T.A.L.K.E.R. devs: 'There is cause for hope,' more news in January originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>closureGSC-Game-Worldhopelayoffspcs.t.a.l.k.e.r.stalker-2Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 dev on closure reports: 'nothing is certain']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-dev-on-closure-reports-nothing-is-certain/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-dev-on-closure-reports-nothing-is-certain/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-dev-on-closure-reports-nothing-is-certain/#comments It appears as though S.T.A.L.K.E.R. franchise dev GSC Game World may not be giving up, at least not yet, with an ambiguous Twitter message from the company's official feed stating, "We will do our best to continue. However, at this point, nothing is certain."

Last last week when reports of GSC's closure were still fresh, the feed reportedly had a message which read, "No we have not closed GSC or cancelled," but it was said to be deleted soon after, according to Edge. A followup missive from the company notes that the website "will continue, with the forum and tech support." Additionally, the GSC shop will apparently carry on "until the nearest planned items sell out."

While the company may not be entirely closed yet, these messages read like little more than the death rattle of a business on its last legs, sadly. Given the circumstances, it stands to reason that development of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 has stopped, though its unclear what will happen to the IP. We wish the best for the approximately 45 employees said to be affected.

JoystiqS.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 dev on closure reports: 'nothing is certain' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>closuregsc-gameworldpcshutteredstalker-2twitterukraineTue, 13 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[S.T.A.L.K.E.R. developer GSC shut down]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/rumor-s-t-a-l-k-e-r-developer-gsc-shut-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/rumor-s-t-a-l-k-e-r-developer-gsc-shut-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/rumor-s-t-a-l-k-e-r-developer-gsc-shut-down/#comments Ukrainian developer GSC Game World, creators of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series, have reportedly shut down. The details regarding the closure are currently very s.k.e.t.c.h.y. UkraNews reports, citing sources, that CEO Sergei Grigorovich told the staff in a meeting this morning that he had decided to close the company. GSC is said to have had between 40-50 employees.

RockPaperShotgun, which has been on top of this story, got in touch with GSC and obtained the ominous: "Sorry, no comments at this point."

STALKER 2 was expected to launch sometime in 2012. We'll update as more information becomes available.

Update: Details are still a mess, but it appears GSC has been shuttered.

JoystiqS.T.A.L.K.E.R. developer GSC shut down originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GSC-Game-WorldlayoffspcStalkerstalker-2stalker-call-of-pripyatFri, 09 Dec 2011 12:20:00 EST<![CDATA[S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 could have always-on DRM, but it's out of love [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/08/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-will-have-always-on-drm-but-its-out-of-love/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/08/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-will-have-always-on-drm-but-its-out-of-love/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/08/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-will-have-always-on-drm-but-its-out-of-love/#comments S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 will use always-on DRM as "protection from piracy," GSC Game World head Sergey Grigorovich said. A permanent internet connection will be required to load information, codes and quests, much like previous DRM systems from Ubisoft.

"Software piracy is an issue for us; we try to fight it, but within reason," Grigorovich said. "If people can not afford a licensed version, it is to our advantage if they download a pirated copy and then want to buy a license. In Ukraine, there are different products that people love so much that they buy a license in principle. We want to create just such a product."

Studios know fans don't enjoy always-on DRM, and their insistence on using it must mean it works in some capacity. We don't think it's the way to create "products that people love so much," but it's definitely great at making fans suspicious and bitter.

[Update] GSC has clarified its intentions via Twitter: "DRM was only mentioned as a possibility, not a choice." GSC also issued a statement to Rock, Paper, Shotgun: "The idea of implementing DRM came in as a possible anti-piracy solution. You know the severe level of commercial piracy we have here in ex-USSR region. This said however, there is no firm decision to go for DRM with S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 as of now. Be assured, we do realize how uncomfortable this solution is for the players, so we'll continue looking for most effective, yet acceptable for all, way of protecting the game by the time of its release."

JoystiqS.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 could have always-on DRM, but it's out of love [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 08 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DRMGSC-Game-Worldstalker-2UbisoftSat, 08 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Russian Stalker TV series teased]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/russian-stalker-tv-series-teased/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/russian-stalker-tv-series-teased/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/russian-stalker-tv-series-teased/#comments A teaser site has revealed that a TV series based on the Stalker FPS franchise is being developed for Russian television. The site is called "KinoS.T.A.L.K.E.R." ("kino" meaning "film" in Russian), has both an English and a Russian section, and was linked to by Ukraine's GSC Game World's Facebook profile. There's also a trailer on the site, subtitled in English, though it's hard to tell what's going on with all the series standards in there -- including mutants, darkness, and explosions aplenty.

Still, the site clearly states that there is a "TV series coming soon" based on the property, which itself takes influence from Andrei Tarkovsky's 1979 film, as well as the old science fiction story "Roadside Picnic." Stalker fans will probably be happy to hear that the series will mutate into yet another form of media.

JoystiqRussian Stalker TV series teased originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GSC-Game-WorldrussiaStalkerstalker-2teasertrailertv-seriesThu, 11 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[STALKER 2 sneaking up on a 2012 launch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/13/stalker-2-sneaking-up-on-a-2012-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/13/stalker-2-sneaking-up-on-a-2012-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/13/stalker-2-sneaking-up-on-a-2012-launch/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Developer GSC Game World has just revealed an official sequel to the popular first-person shooter, STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl, is currently in development. A statement on the developer's official site hints at console support this time around, stating a "completely new multi-platform technology developed by GSC will make the core of the game." So long X-ray engine!

"After the official sales of the series exceeded 4 million copies worldwide, we had no doubts left to start creating a new big game in the STALKER universe," said Sergiy Grygorovych, CEO of GSC Game World. "This will be the next chapter of the mega-popular game players expect from us." STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl launched in 2007 and was followed up by a prequel in 2008, called STALKER: Clear Sky. Earlier this year, GSC Game World launched STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl, an expansion that continued the events of Shadow of Chernobyl.

STALKER 2 is currently slated to launch sometime in 2012.

JoystiqSTALKER 2 sneaking up on a 2012 launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gsc-game-worldpcstalkerstalker-2Stalker-Shadow-of-ChernobylFri, 13 Aug 2010 17:40:00 EST