The development costs for S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2 were fully covered by Microsoft
The production of S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2: Heart of Chornobyl broke even before its release, declared the founder of GSC Game World studio,* Sergey Grigorovich. This was made possible through a partnership with Microsoft.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2: Heart of Chornobyl
According to Grigorovich, the corporation reached out to the developers after seeing the game's trailer. Impressed by the high number of views, they offered to fund the development of S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2: Heart of Chornobyl in exchange for the shooter's temporary console exclusivity and its addition to the Game Pass subscription. The deal was concluded swiftly — all necessary documents were ready in roughly a week.
Ultimately, recalls Grigorovich, GSC Game World* received more money from Microsoft than was needed. He did not disclose the exact amount.
At the end of 2024, GSC Game World* co-owner Maxim Krippa mentioned in a Forbes interview that investments in S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2: Heart of Chornobyl amounted to "tens of millions of dollars." He also noted that the game quickly turned a profit but did not specify that this occurred before its release.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2: Heart of Chornobyl was released on November 20, 2024. Within two days, its sales reached 1 million copies, and over three and a half months, its total audience, including Game Pass subscribers, exceeded 6 million people.
*The activities of GSC Game World are recognized as undesirable in the territory of the Russian Federation.