Larian Studios’ publishing director Michael Douse has shared his thoughts on Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl’s commercial success, stating that it represents a significant shift in what players want from games. The game’s publisher, GSC World, recently announced that over a million copies had been sold since launch, with many more playing on Game Pass.
Douse believes this shift is driven by the increasing prominence of digital platforms and the ability to access audiences directly. He argues that traditional publishers are struggling to keep up with this change, as players increasingly demand “hyper-engaging” and “focused” experiences over flashy retail products.
This sentiment aligns with Douse’s previous statements on the state of the industry. In April, he declared marketing dead, saying players no longer want to be “bamboozled.” He has also backed ideas from other developers and praised certain games for their turnaround times.
Despite Stalker 2’s troubled development cycle and performance issues, the game received largely positive reviews, with many praising its survival horror FPS gameplay. However, Douse remains enthusiastic about the game, calling it a “spiritual successor” to Fallout: New Vegas.
Source: https://www.gamesradar.com/games/survival-horror/baldurs-gate-3-dev-says-stalker-2s-commercial-success-is-proof-of-a-seismic-shift-behind-so-much-and-players-are-hungry-for-hyper-engaging-focused-experiences