GSC Game World flatly rejected claims from co-founder Sergiy Grygorovych that Xbox's exclusivity deal for Stalker 2 exceeded the game's entire development budget. The studio issued a statement saying Grygorovych's assertions "do not reflect the actual facts."
Grygorovych departed GSC in 2023 and has since made public statements about the financial terms of Stalker 2's Xbox exclusivity arrangement. He alleged Microsoft paid more for exclusivity rights than the studio spent to develop the game, which entered production in 2012 and faced multiple delays before its November 2024 launch.
GSC Game World's rebuttal carries weight because the current leadership controls the studio's operations and financial records. The studio spent over a decade developing Stalker 2 across a shifting production landscape marked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which forced the team to relocate and restructure operations while continuing work on the project.
The exclusivity deal itself remains a significant factor in Stalker 2's market strategy. Xbox secured console exclusivity for the game, making it a day-one Game Pass title. This positioning helped Microsoft bolster its first-party lineup in late 2024, a critical period for the Xbox Series X/S platform. The exact financial terms of the agreement have never been publicly disclosed by either party.
Grygorovych's departure from GSC occurred during a leadership transition, and his subsequent comments suggest disagreement over the company's strategic direction or financial arrangements. His claims about Xbox's payment structure were picked up by Ukrainian media outlet Mezha.ua, drawing industry attention to the financing behind one of 2024's most expensive and technically ambitious games.
GSC's denial effectively closes the door on the speculation. The studio's statement prioritizes protecting the accuracy of its business arrangements while maintaining relationships with Xbox. For