You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here
Ukrainian developer GSC Game World has struggled to bring new survival game Stalker 2 to release with many developers leaving their homes as Russian forces decimate their home country. Prior to release, Russian officials discussed plans to ban the title, but now a new disinformation campaign is spreading about the survival game.
Stalker 2 disinformation campaign spreads
While Stalker 2 has released to mixed results, although we reviewed the game very positively, due to its broken A-Life system and some rough performance. While the game does have its issues, a new disinformation campaign is reportedly spreading across Telegram channels and forums claiming the game is tracking players.
Via 404Media, a fake mobile-orientated video complete with a WIRED trademark is spreading online. This video claims that the Ukranian-made game is helping “the government locate citizens suitable for mobilisation”, a claim that has no basis in fact.
“An embedded program was discovered in the game’s code that collects player data and transmits it to the developer’s servers,” the video claims. “The program collects data about the device, name, IP address and current location of the player. The information is transmitted every second.”
The video also claims that the game has been made with mass funding from the Ukrainian government to convince players to sign up for the army and fight Russia.
As a Ukranian-made game, Russian officials have been targeting Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl for months prior to its release. With a brilliant documentary developed by Xbox to show the struggles of GSC Game World during the game’s stressful development, many gamers are aware of the team’s spirit and adoration of their country that’s still being devastated by Russia.
Stalker 2 is currently preparing its first major patch after the game’s shoddy launch. For more stories on the game, read about the modders aiming to fix the game’s A-Life system.
We have reached out to WIRED and GSC Game World for comment on the fake video.
About the Author
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
- Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s): Action, Adventure, RPG, Shooter, Survival Horror
