Stalker 2’s developer is reportedly partially relocating from Ukraine to the Czech Republic
Some of the GSC Game World staff are planning to set up a new office, it’s claimed
Stalker 2’s development studio will be moving some of its staff to a new office in the Czech Republic, according to a new report.
Czech site Vortex reports that Ukrainian studio GSC Game World is planning a move from its Kyiv studio to a new office in Prague, as its home nation continues to be invaded by Russian forces.
Although it doesn’t appear to be a complete relocation of the entire studio, Vortex reports that according to its own reliable source, “part of the team is indeed heading to the Czech Republic, where they are already registering for business”.
The move is taking place so that GSC Game World can continue to work on Stalker 2, which has been on hold since the Russian invasion started.
Before Vortex’s source made the claim, the publication had received confirmation from the chairman of the Association of Czech Game Developers, Pavel Barák, that GSC Game World was making enquiries about relocating.
“I can confirm that the Association was approached by GSC studio early last week saying they were looking at the Czech Republic and surrounding countries,” Barák said. “They needed help from us on legal and employment matters.”
Petr Kolar of Ashborne Games, based in Brno in the Czech Republic, also revealed to Vortex that he had been in contact with GSC developers about a possible move, while Czech studio CBD Software’s Jan Kavan confirmed that he had provided GSC’s business development manager with “a kind of ten commandments” on how to start a company in the Czech Republic.
GSC Game World posted a video on its YouTube channel in early March in which it confirmed that the development of Stalker 2 had been put on hold as it dealt with the ongoing Russian invasion of its home country.
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“On the 24th of February, Russia declared war on Ukraine and sent rockets, tanks and soldiers to our homeland,” the video says. “Our country is forced to fight for existence again. Seems like this is the price of freedom.”
Showing footage of explosions in various areas of Ukraine, the video adds: “This video is our answer to [the] ‘how are you guys?’ question. Now we are striving to help our employees and their families to survive. The game development shifted to the sidelines. But we will definitely continue. After the victory. Glory to Ukraine.”
