GSC Game World has released the first major patch for Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, which addresses over 1800 issues and fixes to the game’s A-Life.
What’s more, the game has now recouped its investment and has turned a profit, according to the studio’s owner Maxim Krippa in an interview with Forbes. Krippa also confirmed at least two expansions and multiplayer are planned, with no further details provided.
The developer notes Patch 1.1 is “huge” so will take some time to download. It includes A-Life fixes and AI improvements, balance adjustments, crash fixes and performance optimisations, issues with specific story missions, and more.
A-Life is the game’s system to ensure NPCs appear natural. An FAQ from the studio reads: “The A-Life 2.0 system is responsible for ensuring that the Zone lives its own life regardless of your actions. The game world around you is changing all the time. Mutants, stalkers, bandits, and other inhabitants of the Zone move around, hunt, fight among themselves for lairs and territories, or join groups.”