Jump to content

GSC Game World

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from FireStarter (video game))

GSC Game World
Company typePrivate
IndustryVideo games
Founded1995; 29 years ago (1995) in Kyiv, Ukraine
FounderSergiy Grygorovych
Headquarters,
Czech Republic[a]
Key people
  • Sergiy Grygorovych (CEO)
  • Evgeniy Grygorovych (CEO)
Products
Number of employees
300 (2022) Edit this on Wikidata
DivisionsGSC World Publishing
Websitegsc-game.com

GSC Game World is a Ukrainian video game developer temporarily based in Prague.[a] Founded in Kyiv in 1995 by Sergiy Grygorovych, it is best known for the Cossacks and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series of games. GSC Game World was the first company in Ukraine to localize PC games to the Russian language. In 2002, it became a publishing house, GSC World Publishing.

History

[edit]

Founding and early activity

[edit]

The company was founded in 1995 by Sergiy Grygorovych (Ukrainian: Сергій Костянтинович Григорович, romanizedSerhiy Kostyantynovych Hryhorovych), who became chief executive officer (CEO).[2][3] He came up with the company name and emblem in 1993, aged 15. "GSC" are the initials of his name in the transliteration "Grygorovych Sergiy Constantinovich". Later Grygorovych explained this decision:[4]

My father used to say that you have to devote your life to making a name for yourself so that later there would be something to be proud of. And so I used my initials to name the company.

— Sergiy Grygorovych

By 1996, the company employed fifteen people in a two-room apartment.[5] Early employees included Grygorovych's younger brother, Evgeniy, and Andrew Prokhorov.[5][6][7] The company was the first in Ukraine to translate video games into Russian, additionally creating multimedia CD-ROM encyclopedias.[8][9][10]

Game development

[edit]

In 1997 the company started developing its first video game, but difficulties in development led to its quick abandonment.[4]

I remembered the principle: if you want to do something but don't know what exactly, look at the others and don't do the same. Our market didn't demand intellect in those times, so we decided to target the western audience. Moreover, the CIS market was unstable after the 1998 crisis.

Sergiy Grygorovych

In 1998, after the economic crisis in Russia, GSC reoriented to the Western market, developing real-time strategy games. GSC unsuccessfully tried to get a contract for the development of Warcraft 3 from Blizzard Entertainment.[4][11] According to the CEO, they were rejected due to Blizzard's distrust of Grygorovych's youth. By the end of 1998, the company finished its debut commercial game, WarCraft 2000: Nuclear Epidemic.[12] It was powered by its own engine, which was subsequently reused by Cossacks: European Wars. Nuclear Epidemic distinguished itself from other strategy games of the time with its increased unit size limits. At the beginning of 1999, it was released for free online. They began development on another project titled DoomCraft, which was shuttered six months later in favor of the development of Cossacks.[11][4]

Company debut

[edit]

In 2001, GSC Game World released the real-time strategy game for Windows, Cossacks: European Wars.[13][14] It was the first game that brought the company financial success and global recognition. Later that year, GSC Game World released the tactical first-person shooter Codename: Outbreak[15][16] and an expansion for Cossacks named Cossacks: The Art of War.[17][18][19] In the same year, GSC began developing a story-driven shooter based on the Stargate series concept and Aztec architecture. It was powered by a custom X-Ray Engine, which rendered high-quality images and supported many modern technologies. The project was titled Oblivion Lost.[11][20][21][22]

At the beginning, we developed a game with a plot about the war of robots and aliens in the entourage of nature and the Aztec pyramids.
But at every meeting, we said to ourselves: "We are doing complete nonsense."

— Sergiy Grygorovych, about the canceled game Oblivion Lost

In 2002, the company released the combat hovercraft arcade racing game Hover Ace: Combat Racing Zone[23][24] and another expansion to Cossacks called Cossacks: Back to War.[25][26] At the end of that year, a new real-time strategy game named American Conquest was released.[27][28] Also, in March 2002, after the GSC Game World company trip to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, the Oblivion Lost concept was wholly revised and used the Chernobyl disaster as a foundation. The game was called Stalker: Oblivion Lost, but soon the name changed to S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Oblivion Lost, due to copyright complications with the word "Stalker". The rendering system was reworked. The game was scheduled to be released at the end of 2003.[11][20][21][22]

In 2003, the company released the addition American Conquest: Fight Back[29] and the first-person shooter FireStarter.[30][31] Also, the development of the first-person shooter S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Oblivion Lost continued, and THQ became its publisher. By their recommendation, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl became the official name that got the first accurate release date – the middle of 2004.[11][20][21][22]

In 2004, GSC opened GSC World Publishing, a division that would publish GSC's games in countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States and in Europe.[3][11] Together with Ubisoft on 20 November 2004, it published its own developed RTS game Alexander, the official game based on Oliver Stone's movie Alexander.[32][33][34] The release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl was postponed by THQ to 2005 due a transition to a new rendering process.[11][21] In 2005, a sequel of the Cossacks strategy, Cossacks II: Napoleonic Wars, was released.[35][36] In February 2005, the release of Shadow of Chernobyl was postponed indefinitely. In 2006, the company released an expansion for the Cossacks series titled Cossacks II: Battle for Europe,[37] and a new real-time strategy role-playing game, Heroes of Annihilated Empires.[3][38][39][40] The company released a statement that Shadow of Chernobyl should be released in the first quarter of 2007. At the beginning of the year, some GSC employees left the company to found 4A Games studio.[11][20][22]

On 20 March 2007, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl was officially released.[41][42][43][44] On 24 March 2007, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. held the eighth position in the sales charts for various platforms, and the first position among PC games according to the rating of British organization ELSPA.[45] On 12 February 2008, 950 thousand copies in the CIS and 700 thousand copies elsewhere in the world were sold, which made S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl the most successful project of GSC Game World to date.[46][11]

The worldwide success of Shadow of Chernobyl pushed the company to develop its next project.[47] On 5 December 2007, a mobile game, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Mobile, was created by Qplaze in conjunction with GSC.[48][49][50] On 22 August 2008, the stand-alone expansion S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky was released, a prequel for Shadow of Chernobyl.[51][52][53] A sequel for Shadow of Chernobyl, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat, was released on 2 October 2009, the third game in the series.[54][55][56]

In 2009, GSC began work on S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2.[5] The company officially announced the game on 13 August 2010.[citation needed] During development, the company shrank from 200[7] employees to 50.[5] It had previously been the largest video game developer in Eastern Europe.[5] Financial services company Ernst & Young named Grygorovych Ukraine's "entrepreneur of the year" in February 2011.[5] On 9 December 2011, the Ukrainian News Agency, published a message with a statement from GSC Game World CEO Sergiy Grygorovych that the company had dissolved. Development of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 game was discontinued.[57] Grygorovych stated that he did so for personal reasons.[10] Studio spokesperson Valentine Yeltyshev said that the studio's financial situation played a minor role in the dissolution.[58]

Revival

[edit]

At the end of 2014, GSC Game World re-opened and announced that it was working on a new game.[59] The company founder's brother Evgeniy Grygorovych (Ukrainian: Євген Григорович, romanizedEvhen Hryhorovych) became its new CEO.[10][60] In May 2015, the company announced Cossacks 3, a remake of the first Cossacks game, including "all its original gameplay".[7][61] The game was released on 20 September 2016 on Steam, after which, the game was finalized and updated.[62][63]

On 15 May 2018, GSC re-announced S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl.[64][65] The game was released on 20 November 2024,[66] for Windows and the Xbox Series X/S.[67]

Russian invasion of Ukraine

[edit]

When the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine began, GSC paused development on S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. The company used social media to urge fans and game journalists to donate to the Ukrainian Armed Forces and provided special accounts for donations.[68][69] By May 2022, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2's development resumed after the team had been relocated to Prague, allowing them to continue working safely.[1] One former GSC Game World developer, Volodymyr Yezhov, was killed in action near Bakhmut in December 2022.[70] On December 27, 2022, a farewell ceremony for Yezhov was held in the Volodymyr Cathedral with the participation of a military guard, which was attended by many people.[71]

Games

[edit]
Title Release date Platform(s) Publisher(s) Ref(s).
WarCraft 2000: Nuclear Epidemic 25 November 1998 Microsoft Windows [12][4][72]
Cossacks: European Wars 12 April 2001 CDV Software, Russobit-M [13][14][73][74]
Codename: Outbreak 8 October 2001 Virgin Interactive, Russobit-M [15][16][75]
Cossacks: The Art of War 20 November 2001 CDV Software, Russobit-M [17][18][19]
Hover Ace: Combat Racing Zone 2 September 2002 Strategy First, Russobit-M [24][76][23][77]
Cossacks: Back to War 1 November 2002 CDV Software, Russobit-M [25][26][78]
American Conquest 18 December 2002 [27][28][79][80][77]
American Conquest: Fight Back 25 June 2003 [29][81]
FireStarter 28 November 2003 Hip Interactive, Russobit-M [30][82][31][83][77]
Alexander 20 November 2004 Ubisoft, GSC World Publishing [32][33][34][84][85]
Cossacks II: Napoleonic Wars 4 April 2005 CDV Software, GSC World Publishing [35][36][86][72]
Cossacks II: Battle for Europe 19 June 2006 [37][87]
Heroes of Annihilated Empires 6 October 2006 [38][39][40][88]
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl 20 March 2007 THQ, GSC World Publishing [41][42][43][44][89][90]
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Mobile[b] 5 December 2007 Java ME NOMOC World Publishing [48][49][91][50]
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky 22 August 2008 Microsoft Windows Deep Silver, GSC World Publishing [51][52][53][92]
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat 2 October 2009 bitComposer Games, GSC World Publishing [54][55][56][93][94]
Cossacks 3 20 September 2016 Microsoft Windows, Linux[63] GSC Game World [95][61][96][7]
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy 6 March 2024 PlayStation 4, Xbox One [97]
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl 20 November 2024 Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X/S [67][98][65][99]

Cancelled games

[edit]
Title Cancellation date Platform(s) Ref(s).
Unnamed quest game 1997 Microsoft Windows [4]
DoomCraft January 1999 [4][100]
Oblivion Lost February 2002 Microsoft Windows, Xbox[101] [77][20][21][22][11]
Warlocks 2002 Microsoft Windows [77][102][103]
Robbery (working title) 2006 [102][104]
Unnamed S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game for PSP Spring 2007 PlayStation Portable [105][106][107]
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Online October 2011 Browser game [2][108]

Game engines

[edit]

Vital Engine is a game engine created for Codename: Outbreak,[109][110] and later used for the Xenus games series (Boiling Point: Road to Hell and White Gold: War in Paradise) and The Precursors game by the Ukrainian developer Deep Shadows.[111]

X-Ray Engine is a game engine created for the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games series. X-Ray uses the free physics engine Open Dynamics Engine elements.[20][21][22]

Legacy

[edit]

Studios formed by teams and members from the GSC studio:[58]

  • Deep Shadows was founded 30 August 2001 in Kyiv by Sergiy Zabaryansky and Roman Lut. Deep Shadows games use the Vital Engine, developed by the company's founders while at GSC.[109][110]
  • 4A Games was founded 2 March 2006 by a S.T.A.L.K.E.R. concept art team member. The company's employees immediately started creating their debut project, Metro 2033: The Last Refuge. 4A Games later developed the Metro game series.[5][112]
  • Vostok Games was founded in 2012, after the temporary dissolution of GSC. The organization is developing and supporting the original post-apocalyptic online game Survarium.[5] It also developed Fear the Wolves, a battle royale game released in 2019.
  • West-Games was founded in 2012, originally under the name Union Studio, by chief executive officer Eugene Kim, who had formerly been GSC's team lead and software developer.[113] Kim had worked on GSC's canceled browser-based S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Online massively multiplayer online game, while five other employees had worked on prior S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games.[2] In 2013, Union Studio reorganized as West-Games, and in June 2014, the studio launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter for a supposed spiritual successor to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. called Areal.[114][115] The campaign was highly criticized because of the game's trailer, which almost exclusively used footage from previous S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games.[114][116] When asked to provide images from the game, representatives of West-Games presented screenshots of a landscape that was a slightly modified version of a pre-designed asset available for purchase on the "Asset Store" for the Unity game engine.[116] Several parties, including the "MISERY" mod developer, stated that the project was a scam.[114][116] Of the initially sought US $50,000, Areal raised almost $65,000, however, in July 2014, two days before its campaign closed, the project was suspended from Kickstarter, with Kickstarter citing guideline violations.[117] West-Games initially claimed to have switched to private funding, though announced another crowdfunding campaign, this time on Wefunder, in December 2014, seeking $600,000 to produce a game called S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Apocalypse.[6][118] When GSC reformed, the studio stated that West-Games was legally not allowed to develop a S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game, as GSC held all rights to the franchise.[6]
  • Flying Cafe for Semianimals was founded in 2015 by the creative director Ilya Tolmachev, who was previously engaged in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat. The company's debut game was Cradle.[108][119][120]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b GSC Game World temporarily relocated to Prague as a result of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[1]
  2. ^ Co-developed with Qplaze[48]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Wheeler, CJ (23 May 2022). "GSC Game World are back working on S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 again". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Seeder, Ben (30 June 2014). "STALKER: Who's the rightful heir?". Gamesindustry.biz. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 6 July 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Aihoshi, Richard (2 October 2004). "Heroes of Annihilated Empires Interview". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Данилов, Олег (22 September 2004). "GSC – компания и человек. Интервью с Сергеем Григоровичем". ITC.ua (in Russian). ITC Publishing. Archived from the original on 2 September 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Hall, Charlie (8 September 2013). "Stalker fallout: Polygon traces the exodus from Kiev's legendary GSC Game World". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on 16 May 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  6. ^ a b c Hall, Charlie (10 February 2015). "GSC Game World says it will defend the STALKER franchise, plans to announce its next title soon". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on 24 February 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d Hall, Charlie (18 May 2015). "The company that made STALKER is back with their next game, Cossacks 3". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on 16 May 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  8. ^ "Минуле GSC Game World". SMNS Games (in Ukrainian). 4 December 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  9. ^ Запольскис, Александр (7 February 1998). "Французская живопись". Компьютерная газета (in Russian). Archived from the original on 4 September 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  10. ^ a b c Hromadske (29 June 2015). "GSC Game World про створення гри "Козаки 3"" (in Ukrainian and Russian). Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021 – via YouTube.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Мурыгин, Вячеслав (24 April 2010). "Игры GSC: Хронология разработок". ExGSC.com (in Russian). Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  12. ^ a b Маслюков, Иван (23 January 1999). "WarCraft 2000: Nuclear Epidemic". Компьютерная газета (in Russian). Archived from the original on 22 April 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  13. ^ a b "Cossacks: European Wars". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. 12 April 2001. Archived from the original on 2 June 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  14. ^ a b Kozlowski, David (17 April 2001). "Cossacks: European Wars". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 16 December 2008. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  15. ^ a b Osborn, Chuck (June 2005). "Codename: Outbreak". PC Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on 15 March 2006. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  16. ^ a b Harker, Carla (2 January 2002). "Codename: Outbreak". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on 20 June 2002. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  17. ^ a b Adams, Dan (12 April 2002). "Cossacks: The Art of War". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 23 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  18. ^ a b Beers, Craig (5 September 2002). "Cossacks: The Art of War Review". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  19. ^ a b Suciu, Peter (18 May 2002). "Cossacks: The Art of War". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on 11 August 2002. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  20. ^ a b c d e f Михайлов, Юрий (April 2010). "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl: История создания игры. Часть 1". Лучшие компьютерные игры (in Russian) (101). ТехноМир. Archived from the original on 3 March 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  21. ^ a b c d e f Сингаевский, Ярослав (March 2007). "S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Хронология – Дорога длиною в семь лет" (PDF). Gameplay (in Russian) (19). ITC Publishing: 18–23. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 October 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  22. ^ a b c d e f "Путь одного "Сталкера" – Дорога длиною в семь лет" (PDF). Шпиль (in Russian) (19). Шарп Віжн: 2–9. May 2007. ISSN 1819-5954. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 January 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  23. ^ a b "Hover Ace – PC – Review". GameZone. GameZone Online. 29 July 2003. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  24. ^ a b Кузнецов, Андрей (22 October 2002). ""Hover Ace" от GSC Game World. Интервью". 3DNews Daily Digital Digest (in Russian). Archived from the original on 11 July 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  25. ^ a b Polak, Steve (20 December 2002). "Cossacks: Back to War Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 23 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  26. ^ a b Beers, Craig (5 December 2002). "Cossacks: Back to War Review". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  27. ^ a b Butts, Steve (10 February 2003). "American Conquest". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 12 August 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  28. ^ a b Beers, Craig (13 August 2003). "American Conquest Review". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on 3 June 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  29. ^ a b Beers, Craig (10 October 2003). "American Conquest: Fight Back Review". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  30. ^ a b Castro, Juan (15 March 2004). "Firestarter Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  31. ^ a b Luo, Di (24 June 2004). "FireStarter". 1Up.com. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on 20 December 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  32. ^ a b Butts, Steve (2 December 2004). "Alexander". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  33. ^ a b Beers, Craig (17 May 2006). "Alexander Review". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  34. ^ a b Gillen, Kieron (9 May 2005). "Alexander". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 3 January 2009. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  35. ^ a b Butts, Steve (26 April 2005). "Cossacks II: Napoleonic Wars". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 23 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  36. ^ a b Ocampo, Jason (26 April 2005). "Cossacks II: Napoleonic Wars Review". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  37. ^ a b Ocampo, Jason (17 July 2006). "Cossacks II: Battle for Europe Review". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on 28 November 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  38. ^ a b Butts, Steve (22 November 2006). "Heroes of Annihilated Empires Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 28 March 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  39. ^ a b VanOrd, Kevin (5 December 2006). "Heroes of Annihilated Empires Review". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on 15 February 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  40. ^ a b Clare, Oliver (26 November 2006). "Heroes of Annihilated Empires". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 1 February 2009. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  41. ^ a b Biessener, Adam (March 2007). "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on 11 April 2007. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  42. ^ a b Onyett, Charles (19 March 2007). "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 30 July 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  43. ^ a b Ocampo, Jason (19 March 2007). "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl Review". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  44. ^ a b Rossignol, Jim (22 March 2007). "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow Of Chernobyl". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 4 April 2009. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  45. ^ "S.T.A.L.K.E.R. in sales charts". stalker-game.com. 27 March 2007. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  46. ^ Чаплюк, Андрей (12 February 2008). "Сталкер и цифры". Igromania (in Russian). Igromedia. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  47. ^ "GSC Game World will present new titles in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. line-up at E3 2007". gsc-game.com. 16 May 2007. Archived from the original on 5 October 2007. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  48. ^ a b c Trusca, Sorin (20 March 2007). "Prepare for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. on Your Mobile Phone". Softpedia. SoftNews. Archived from the original on 23 March 2007. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  49. ^ a b Buchanan, Levi (5 September 2007). "S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Mobile Preview". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  50. ^ a b Hearn, Rob (11 February 2008). "S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Mobile Review". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media. Archived from the original on 5 October 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  51. ^ a b Biessener, Adam (22 September 2009). "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on 8 August 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  52. ^ a b Butts, Steve (5 September 2008). "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 12 June 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  53. ^ a b VanOrd, Kevin (23 September 2008). "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky Review". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on 17 June 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  54. ^ a b Onyett, Charles (6 February 2010). "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 13 October 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  55. ^ a b VanOrd, Kevin (2 February 2010). "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat Review". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on 22 February 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  56. ^ a b Pearson, Dan (2 February 2010). "S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Call of Pripyat". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 5 February 2010. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  57. ^ Makuch, Eddie (25 April 2012). "S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 canceled". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on 19 November 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  58. ^ a b Pearson, Dan (10 December 2014). "It's a hard time for Ukraine, but a good time to be a proud Ukrainian". Gamesindustry.biz. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  59. ^ Hall, Charlie (22 December 2014). "The original developer of STALKER re-opens, has a good laugh, announces new game". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on 21 February 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  60. ^ Курган, Георгий (25 December 2014). "GSC Game World: "Мы не закладываем политические идеи в наш новый проект"". Игры Mail.ru (in Russian). Mail.ru Group. Archived from the original on 27 December 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  61. ^ a b Rad, Chloi (18 May 2015). "STALKER Studio GSC Game World Returns With Cossacks 3". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 11 July 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  62. ^ Santiago-Vancak, Gabriella (24 July 2016). "GSC Game World's Cossacks 3 Charging Into September". Rock Paper Shotgun. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  63. ^ a b "Linux Cossacks 3". Blue's News. 22 June 2017. Archived from the original on 24 February 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  64. ^ Oloman, Jordan (15 May 2018). "S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Revealed, Coming in 2021". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 16 May 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  65. ^ a b Hall, Charlie (15 May 2018). "STALKER 2 announced, scheduled for 2021 release". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on 16 May 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  66. ^ Davis, Wes (16 January 2024). "S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl has been delayed again". The Verge. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  67. ^ a b Barbosa, Alessandro (13 June 2021). "Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl Launches In April 2022, On Xbox Games Pass At Launch". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  68. ^ @stalker_thegame (24 February 2022). "As of today, the Russian Federation has officially declared war on Ukraine. Our country woke up with the sounds of explosions and weapons fire, but is ready to defend its freedom and independence, for it remains strong and ready for anything. The future is unknown, but we hope for the best, are ever sure of our armed forces and our belief in Ukraine" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  69. ^ "Inwazja Rosji na Ukrainę - cios w gamingowe serce Europy?". Logo24 (in Polish). Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  70. ^ Woodrow, Ryan (27 December 2022). "STALKER dev dies in Ukraine war, official account pays respect". Video Games on Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  71. ^ "Із українським захисником та одним із розробників гри S.T.A.L.K.E.R Володимиром Єжовим, який загинув у боях під Бахмутом, попрощалися в Києві. ВІДЕО+ФОТОрепортаж". Цензор.НЕТ.
  72. ^ a b Чечулин, Степан (7 June 2005). "Казаки 2: Наполеоновские войны". Igromania (in Russian). Igromedia. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  73. ^ Romaine, Garret (5 September 2001). "Cossacks: European Wars". ESC Magazine. Archived from the original on 4 November 2002. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  74. ^ "Cossacks: European Wars". Computer and Video Games. Future plc. 13 August 2001. Archived from the original on 16 December 2008. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  75. ^ "Рецензия на игру Venom. Codename: Outbreak". Absolute Games (in Russian). Бу-Медиа. 12 October 2001. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  76. ^ "Рецензия на игру Hover Ace". Absolute Games (in Russian). Бу-Медиа. 7 October 2002. Archived from the original on 17 September 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  77. ^ a b c d e Галёнкин, Сергей; Данилов, Олег; Птица, Александр; Светличный, Сергей (March 2002). "Игры на экспорт" (PDF). Домашний ПК (in Russian) (39). ITC Publishing: 74–77. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  78. ^ Rausch, Allen (27 January 2003). "Cossacks: Back to War". Gamespy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on 8 October 2007. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  79. ^ DNM (14 February 2003). "American Conquest". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 11 October 2010. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  80. ^ Liberatore, Raphael (27 February 2003). "American Conquest". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on 22 December 2011. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  81. ^ Suciu, Peter (28 November 2003). "American Conquest: Fight Back". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on 4 June 2004. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  82. ^ Osborne, Scott (8 March 2004). "FireStarter Review". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on 26 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  83. ^ Кумби, Матвей (17 March 2004). "FireStarter". Igromania (in Russian). Igromedia. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  84. ^ Peckham, Matt (10 February 2005). "Alexander". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on 11 February 2005. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  85. ^ Варнавский, Игорь (1 March 2005). "Александр". Igromania (in Russian). Igromedia. Archived from the original on 26 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  86. ^ Suciu, Peter (28 April 2005). "Cossacks II: Napoleonic Wars". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on 16 August 2005. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  87. ^ Clare, Oliver (22 August 2006). "Cossacks 2: Battle For Europe". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 25 February 2011. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  88. ^ Варнавский, Игорь (22 November 2006). "Герои уничтоженных империй". Igromania (in Russian). Igromedia. Archived from the original on 23 March 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  89. ^ Kuo, Li C. (2 May 2007). "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on 5 May 2007. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  90. ^ Кузьменко, Александр (30 April 2007). "S.T.A.L.K.E.R." Igromania (in Russian). Igromedia. Archived from the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  91. ^ "Qplaze выпускает S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Mobile". Мобильный Контент (in Russian). 5 December 2007. Archived from the original on 13 August 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  92. ^ Моисеев, Алексей (8 October 2008). "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Чистое небо". Igromania. Igromedia. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  93. ^ Manion, Rory (3 February 2010). "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat Review". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on 6 February 2010. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  94. ^ Моисеев, Алексей (6 October 2009). "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Зов Припяти". Igromania (in Russian). Igromedia. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  95. ^ Meer, Alec (22 September 2016). "Wot I Think: Cossacks 3". Rock Paper Shotgun. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  96. ^ Savage, Phil (19 May 2015). "GSC Game World returns for Cossacks 3". PC Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on 26 August 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  97. ^ "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy now available for PS4, Xbox One". Gematsu. 6 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  98. ^ Lawler, Richard (30 December 2020). "'S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2' gameplay teaser previews the game's 2021 launch". Engadget. Archived from the original on 31 December 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  99. ^ Чаплюк, Андрей (16 August 2010). "Состоялся анонс S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2". Igromania (in Russian). Igromedia. Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  100. ^ "DoomCraft". Old-Games.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  101. ^ "Новая игра от GSC Game World". Game World Navigator (in Russian). НИМ. 7 September 2001. Archived from the original on 21 March 2007. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  102. ^ a b Мурыгин, Вячеслав (10 November 2012). "Памяти павших. Отменённые проекты GSC". ExGSC.com (in Russian). Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  103. ^ "Warlocks". Old-Games.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  104. ^ "Ограбления". Old-Games.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 30 June 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  105. ^ "Сергей Григорович: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 будет". Gameplay (in Russian) (54). ITC Publishing. February 2010. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  106. ^ Leks (21 July 2009). "Интервью с Олегом Яворским". Stalker-Portal.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  107. ^ Chalk, Andy (9 September 2009). "GSC Seems to Confirm S.T.A.L.K.E.R. for Xbox 360". The Escapist. Enthusiast Gaming. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  108. ^ a b Мурыгин, Вячеслав (28 August 2013). "Евгений Литвинов: "Cradle – это вызов, от которого я не смог отказаться"". ExGSC.com (in Russian). Archived from the original on 15 May 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  109. ^ a b "Интервью с Сергеем Забарянским". GameStone.ru (in Russian). 14 June 1999. Archived from the original on 22 August 1999. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  110. ^ a b "Venom". gsc-game.com. Archived from the original on 7 December 1999. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  111. ^ Deep Shadows (16 July 2008). "Deep Shadows Announces Optimization of White Gold and Precursors for Intel-based Multi-core Processor Systems". GamersHell.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  112. ^ Wordsworth, Rich (28 January 2014). "Games from the Real-World Post-Apocalypse". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  113. ^ Senior, Tom (1 June 2012). "Rumour: Ex-STALKER devs form Union Studio, developing Fallout/Rage inspired shooter". PC Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  114. ^ a b c Purchese, Robert (26 June 2014). "That S.T.A.L.K.E.R.y Areal Kickstarter: What's going on?". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  115. ^ Tach, Dave (24 June 2014). "STALKER devs working on survival horror spiritual successor Areal". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  116. ^ a b c Cook, Dave (2 July 2014). "Update: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. successor scandal is media-fabricated, dev claims". VG247. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 26 October 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  117. ^ McWhertor, Michael (22 July 2014). "Kickstarter suspends Ex-STALKER devs' Areal campaign, West Games turns to direct funding". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  118. ^ Savage, Phil (12 December 2014). "Areal devs are back, want money for STALKER Apocalypse". PC Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  119. ^ Warr, Philippa (31 July 2013). "Cradle: a dreamlike exploration game set in the strange plains of sci-fi Mongolia". PC Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  120. ^ Kłosiński, Daniel (3 August 2015). "Cradle – Recenzja". Eurogamer.pl (in Polish). Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 23 August 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
[edit]