Did GSC just doom STALKER 2 with its NFT announcement?
STALKER 2 is the latest installment in GSC Game World’s underrated post-apocalyptic shooter game, STALKER. The game is set to release on April 28, 2022, more than a decade since 2009’s Call of Pripyat. Because of how long it’s been since GSC’s last game, a lot of fans are looking forward to STALKER 2. However, with its recent announcement, it appears that the game’s day one availability on the Xbox Game Pass might not be enough to get fans to try it. According to GSC’s recent news release, the “rights to certain unique items will belong to players,” and that the owners can sell the virtual items on the DMarket platform. GSC also added that those who are interested in the game’s NFTs can register as early as this December, with GSC planning on auctioning off the NPC in January.
- S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is not a blockchain-based game- No influence on gameplay- Completely optional - There will be free giveaways for the community members- All tokens to be activated before the release https://t.co/gZVUEJ5swe — S.T.A.L.K.E.R. OFFICIAL (@stalker_thegame) December 15, 2021 The gist of what GSC is planning is similar to what Ubisoft wants to do with Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint. Coincidentally, both GSC and Ubisoft are claiming that what they are doing is the first for AAA video games. The good news here is that STALKER 2’s application of NFT tech, for now, is only for a token that will pretty much let one player become a non-player character in the game. While GSC did confirm that more NFTs are coming, it did not go into much detail. Perhaps GSC is testing the waters first to see how audiences will react to the announcement. Speaking of, GSC clarified that STALKER is “not a blockchain-based game” and that all the NFTs are “completely optional.” It will be interesting to see how GSC will adjust its NFT plans going forward seeing how much backlash its initial announcement has already gotten. Not to mention, Steam’s stance against blockchain games still might pose a problem, especially if Steam doesn’t agree with GSC’s statement on how Stalker 2 isn’t blockchain-based.
