Grigorovich said that Nanite and Lumen from UE5 were “necessary bricks” for the correct completion of s.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2

Stalker 2 was present at the Gamescom 2023, despite the absence of the Opening Night Live on the first show, which was conducted by Jeff Kili. In the exhibition hall it was possible to play into a demo version, which allowed GSC Game World to collect reviews directly from fans, and the developers also shared a new trailer, which confirms another delay in the first quarter of 2024.

Evgeny Grigorovich, Game Director of Stalker 2 and General Director GSC Game World, yesterday also attended the direct broadcast of the IGN Germany. The leading developer answered various questions, including the impact of the decision on the transition to Unreal Engine 5 to the game.

This may sound like an advertisement, but in fact we believe that Unreal Engine 5 is the best solution for us, because the functions that it brings, Nanite and Lumen systems, is what we missed in Stalker 2. They were necessary bricks to correctly complete the game.

Earlier we got to the point that we had to greatly reduce the quality of models and textures. After the release of Unreal Engine 5, we started working with the Epic team to introduce this technology into our game, and it became clear that it would allow us to do what we want. At first it was not very clear how well it would work, but now that the production is ready, everything is very good. I think this was the right decision to switch to Unreal Engine 5.

It was also a new engine for us, since we did not make a single game on Unreal Engine. We started with scratch with Stalker 2. It is very different from how the developers usually work, when they make sequels, where they take the base and engine from previous games and make upgrades, adjustments or add new functions. To do something from scratch on the new technology that did not exist before, on the new consoles that were only produced, it was very interesting and at the same time difficult.