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Stalker 2 is getting a multiplayer mode in a free post-launch update

GSC Game World confirms Stalker 2 multiplayer is happening, but NFTs are not

Stalker 2 Multiplayer: A Stalker can be seen standing on a car in the wasteland.
Echo Apsey's Avatar

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Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl 

GSC Game World has revealed that its ambitious, open-world first-person shooter Stalker 2 will be getting multiplayer like the original game. This Stalker 2 multiplayer mode, which will be free, won’t be available at launch though.

The multiplayer mode was mentioned in a now-deleted Twitter post where GSC Game World detailed its future plans for Stalker non-fungible tokens (NFTs) after announcing its first ones yesterday to much criticism. Under the studio’s plans, players would have the chance to become the “first-ever metahuman” – a non-player character – or own multiple in-game items.

However, tucked away within the statement, was the confirmation of Stalker 2 multiplayer, which will include gloves and tattoos for players to equip, as well as skins and badges – the latter of which we assume is like an emblem in Call of Duty. The multiplayer will also have both deathmatch and team deathmatch modes (as revealed in PCGamer’s latest magazine issue). These items will be available to unlock through multiplayer progression – something we expect to hear more about as we gear up to launch in April 2022.

In the meantime though, GCS has had to make some pretty quick decisions regarding Stalker 2. Following the deletion of the statement, which intended to provide a “detailed comment” on the inclusion of NFTs in the game, GCS has apologised and confirmed it is cancelling “anything NFT-related” in Stalker 2. “The interests of our fans and players are the top priority for our team,” the statement reads. “We’re making this game for you to enjoy – whatever the cost is.”

You can read the original statement below.

With GCS now seemingly listening to its fan base, the studio will be hoping its launch, especially as an Xbox Game Pass day one launch title, will go as planned.

Regardless of the outcome, this attempt to bring the gaming and NFT world closer together is a strong indication of the mindset of the community right now and will serve as a warning to other developers looking to make the same move.

Echo has years of experience writing about PS5, Xbox, and the best games and franchises that console players love. They joined The Loadout in 2021 as a staff writer and worked their way up to be the site's guides editor, before departing in 2023. They've written hundreds of guides on games such as Call of Duty, XDefiant, Spider-Man 2, Starfield, and many more. They were also the custodian of The Loadout's various PS Plus games and Xbox Game Pass games lists, informing subscribers about any new, departing, or interesting games that they could play. In their time writing, they have attended industry events like Gamescom and WASD. Additionally, they have conducted interviews with the teams behind Lords of the Fallen, Blue Protocol, Dying Light 2, and more since beginning their writing journey at university.