Atmosphere and horror are clearly a big emphasis in this game, which is something that series fans will undoubtedly be glad about. Both of those can be very subjective things though, so how do you as developers ensure that you're hitting the mark in those areas on a consistent level?
With three games in the series, we think we have a strong vision of what players like and expect.
Also, the core team is located in Kyiv, Ukraine, and we visit the Exclusion Zone every couple of months -- for the purpose of both work (photogrammetry) and inspiration.
So we can say it's a mix of existing experience and translating the cultural code. The whole thing is so powerful yet so subtle it's really hard to describe in words. You can be sure it's different for pretty much everyone. But probably it is the "atmosphere" people are talking about.
You're promising a massive open world with S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2- just what should players expect in this area where things such as size, design, and variety are concerned? Do you think it becomes harder to maintain a consistent level of horror and atmosphere when a game is set in a large open world environment?
Yes, maintaining the interest of the player is a challenge for every open-world game.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is mostly about the new story, and we can't tell it without the open world. The player needs to feel the scale and the outcomes of his decisions. It is a long way so it can land an impact. A big journey with its own pace and outcomes.
Also, it's about seeing the Zone in her renewed beauty. The seamless open world is a thing the series always aimed for. Hopefully, the players will enjoy both the story and the world we're crafting. They are highly special for us.
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