As a passionate gamer with a soft spot for survival games and an even softer spot for Ukraine, I find this disinformation campaign against Stalker 2 to be not only misleading but also downright despicable.
The Ukrainian gaming studio GSC Game World has faced challenges in launching their upcoming survival game Stalker 2 due to several developers having to leave their homes amidst the devastating impact of Russian forces on Ukraine. Earlier, there were discussions among Russian officials about potentially banning the game, but now misinformation is circulating about the title as part of a new propaganda campaign.
Stalker 2 disinformation campaign spreads
Despite Stalker 2 receiving mixed reviews, our review was quite positive. However, some concerns have been raised due to flaws in its A-Life system and occasional performance issues. Meanwhile, rumors are circulating on Telegram channels and forums suggesting that the game tracks players, but it’s essential to note these claims remain unverified at this point.
Through 404Media, a deceptive mobile-focused video bearing the WIRED logo is circulating online. The content of this video falsely suggests that a Ukrainian-made game is aiding the government to identify citizens fit for mobilization, which is unsupported by reality.
According to the video, there’s a piece of software hidden within the game’s programming that gathers player details and sends them to the developers’ servers. This software captures information such as device details, player name, IP address, and current location. It does this continuously, every second.
The video suggests that the game was developed using substantial financial support from the Ukrainian government, aiming to persuade players into joining the military and engaging in combat against Russia.
For several months leading up to its launch, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, a game originating from Ukraine, has been under scrutiny by Russian officials. An insightful documentary produced by Xbox sheds light on the arduous journey GSC Game World faced during development, a journey that highlights their resilience and deep affection for their nation, which continues to suffer at the hands of Russia, despite this.
Stalker 2 is now working on its initial significant update following the game’s rough debut. To learn more about the game, check out the modders who are trying to mend the game’s A-Life system.
We have reached out to WIRED and GSC Game World for comment on the fake video.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-11-29 17:10