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Development studio GSC Game World has made a u-turn on its plans to include an NFT-related component in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl.
On Wednesday, the studio unveiled its plans to launch a ‘S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Metaverse’ which would allow players the opportunity to purchase the rights to unique in-game items via the blockchain. One of the things the studio was intending to offer was the opportunity for one player to have their face scanned and put onto an NPC in the game.
However, last night the company declared it had changed its mind, citing negative fan response to the news. On Twitter, a statement said: “Dear Stalkers, we hear you. Based on the feedback we received, we’ve made a decision to cancel anything NFT-related in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. The interests of our fans and players are the top priority for the team. We’re making this game for you to enjoy – whatever the cost is. If you care, we care too.”
However, the statement did follow another one from the studio defending the decision a few hours earlier. This defence was deleted following the cancellation reveal, but not before it was screenshotted by Fanbyte’s Imran Khan. It claimed that “All the funds that we earn during the development process (including the potential income from NFT) will be spent on improving the long-awaited game to make it even better.”
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl will now launch without any form of NFTs on April 28, 2022 on Xbox Series X|S and PC.
— S.T.A.L.K.E.R. OFFICIAL (@stalker_thegame) December 16, 2021
