In Russia, there are threats of criminal charges for purchasing the Ukrainian video game S.T.A.L.K.E.R.

Officially, GSC Game World does not sell its products in Russia; however, customers may find alternative ways to purchase them.

https://mind.ua/news/20281407-na-rosiyi-pogrozhuyut-kriminalnimi-spravami-za-kupivlyu-ukrayinskoyi-komp-yuternoyi-gri-s-t-a-l-k-e-r2024-11-13 07:19:41

In Russia, the game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 by the Ukrainian studio GSC Game World may be banned due to the developers' support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and "extremist content."

Source. This is reported by Daily Storm, citing Anton Gorelkin, deputy head of the State Duma committee on information policy.

"I believe that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl has a good chance of being officially banned in Russia. However, I don't think this will happen solely because the game developers support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. But I cannot rule out that if illegal information is found in the game after its release, there could be consequences," he stated, warning of "the most severe measures."

According to him, if prohibited information is discovered in the game, those recognized as involved in its distribution may also face responsibility.

Lawyer and human rights activist Mikhail Mushailov explained that buyers of the video game could face criminal penalties due to the developers' stance.

"If a person is properly informed from open sources that the proceeds from the purchase of the game will go to the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, I fear that the security services may take an interest in the buyers," he clarified.

The lawyer advised against purchasing the game.

The Ukrainian studio GSC Game World has been collecting funds for the charitable organization "Come Back Alive" since the start of the war, which is recognized as "undesirable" in Russia. The fund has been transferring money to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, GSC Game World announced a halt to sales of its products to Russian users. Physical copies will not be available even to those who pre-ordered the games. Nonetheless, the game can still be purchased through third-party services.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a first-person shooter set in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. The first game in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, was released in 2007, with two subsequent installments appearing in 2008 and 2009. The new game is scheduled for release on November 20.