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Stalker 2 might be permanently banned in Russia owing to conflicts with Ukraine, and here’s what the Russian government has to say about it.
Stalker 2 is all set to be released on November 20, 2024. However, if you are a Russian gamer looking forward to playing this title, there’s some bad news. The game may potentially be banned in Russia, according to a government official. Moreover, you might also face severe repercussions if you access the game via VPN or any other means from Russia.
Stalker 2’s potential ban in Russia is not very surprising, though it is unfortunate for gamers. In this article, we will explore the government’s stance and why Stalker 2 might face a permanent ban in Russia.
Stalker 2 Might Get a Permanent Ban in Russia
Stalker 2 has created an uproar and could potentially be banned in Russia. Anton Gorelkin, the State Duma Committee’s Deputy Chairman on Information Policy of Russia, told the state-owned news agency RIA Novosti:
“I believe that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl has every chance of being officially banned in Russia. I don’t think, however, that this will happen based solely on the fact that the video game developers support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. But I do not rule out that if, after its release, illegal information is discovered in game content (extremism, justification of terrorism, incitement of ethnic hatred, etc.), the most severe measures will be taken.”
GSC Game World is a Ukrainian developer, however, the ban is unlikely to be due to their support of the AFU (Armed Forces of Ukraine). According to Gorelkin, this has more to do with how Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is depicting Russia. If the officials find out that the game has illegal information or anything that can defame the country, they will take very severe measures. As such, Stalker 2’s ban may be imminent.
Legal advisor Mikhail Mushailev has already explained how purchasing Stalker 2 could indirectly prove to be anti-Russian. Officials could easily interpret this as financially supporting Russia’s opposition, or what the country might consider a “hostile force.” If you are in Russia and knowingly purchase this game, it might indicate your support for what Russia considers “terrorism.”
The developer, GSC Game World, had already ceased all sales to Russian gamers after the conflict between these two states aggravated. Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl will also not have the Russian language, as confirmed by Serhii Hryhorovych, founder of GSC Game World and the mastermind behind the Stalker series in general.
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Thank you for reading the Stalker 2 article. We provide the latest news and create guides for Baldur’s Gate 3, Fallout 4, ARK Survival Ascended, and more. Also, watch Deltia play games on Twitch or visit his YouTube channel!
