It’s been a decade since Stalker fans have been waiting to get their hands on the sequel of the 2007 game Stalker. Following multiple delays, the first-person shooter was supposed to arrive during Q1 2024. However, after being pushed back one last time, the game is all set to finally hit the shelves.
Stalker 2 is developed by Ukrainian video game developer GSC Game World. Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a first-person shooter survival horror video game that will be released on September 5, 2024.
Stalker 2 to be an Xbox-exclusive
The developers have announced that Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl will be released on day one of Xbox Game Pass. Thus players having the game pass subscription can get their hands on this anticipated title on Thursday, September 5, 2024, for free.
The game has looked incredible right from the beginning since its earlier posters and trailers were launched. It seems like the game is taking full advantage of the Xbox Series X’s additional horsepower. Stalker 2 has always been one of the Xbox Series X’s most promising console-exclusive games.
However, the continual delay of release date for multiple reasons, which included the Russia-Ukraine war, has kept the Xbox players waiting. However, now that the game finally has a specific release date, Xbox players can finally mark their calendars for Septemeber 5, 2024.
GSC Game World stated that the delay had allowed the team to further polish the game and fix some major technical issues plaguing the game. The developer had also said they they do not want to release Stalker 2 with “certain technical imperfections” thus resulting in an end product below the studio’s standards.
What does this mean for PlayStation players?
Although the news of Stalker 2 may have pleased the Xbox segment of the gamers community and some sections of PC players having the Xbox Game Pass subscription, it gives the PlayStation players another reason to sob in the corner.
With an increasing number of titles coming to Microsoft’s paid service as day one releases, and now an anticipated title like Stalker 2 joining the likes, it is turning out to be a worrisome issue for PlayStation users.
After the $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Xbox owner Microsoft is anyway enjoying an edge in having some of the biggest Activision titles under its control. Recent reports even suggested that the upcoming 2024 Call of Duty game could be released on Xbox Game Pass on day one. Besides there are a number of titles that Microsoft plans to get on its subscription service.
The problem with games released on Xbox Game Pass is that Xbox players as well as PC players having an Xbox Game Pass subscription get to enjoy the latest games for free the very day of their launch. On the other hand, PlayStation players have to pay a substantial amount of money to purchase the games to play.
Looking at the trend of increasing number of games coming to Xbox Game Pass may seem a little alarming for PlayStation players. It could also sound a little bothersome for all the Fallout fans out there. Considering the similarity between the nature of Fallout and Stalker games, it won’t be surprising to see Microsoft bring Bethesda’s upcoming title on Game Pass on launch.
That being said, the chances are bleak given Bethesda is a subsidiary of the PlayStation maker Sony.
