I can’t remember from where, but one interview I saw a little after release was how the devs just wanted to be on Xbox, they found an old email for Phil on reddit, and they got connected with the proper teams. Yeah Xbox and Microsoft are a business (not a charity), but behind all of it are just people. Behind everything in gaming is just people. I was studying in England when Russia invaded Ukraine, and I remember being terrified. It was my first time being abroad (in Europe) and there were so many people from Russia and Ukraine at the University I was studying at. And I don’t know. I just keep thinking we should all be better and kinder (or like just decent) and there’s always so much intentional violence and hatred.
Stalker 2 isn’t a game that really speaks to any of my interests, but I’m so glad the developers found a place and support on Xbox. What they went through while developing their game isn’t what anyone should have to go through. I am a profound appreciator of the arts & Humanities and how the Arts serve to immortalitize the human through sharing experiences, stories, and ideas. This is also why game preservation and documentation is important. Their endurance should be celebrated and their stories always remembered.
Looking forward to see what comes next and how Stalker 2 will continue to evolve (even though I probably won’t be playing it especially with it leaving Game Pass soon). The PS release is happening (or already happened)? So hopefully their audience continues to grow.