GSC Game World has confirmed that it will continue development of a free multiplayer update for STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl. Evgeny and Maria Grigorovich told Insider Gaming during Gamescom 2026.
The developers promised to add multiplayer before the game was released, but it’s been two years since launch and the mode has yet to appear. GSC explains that the team’s main focus is on polishing STALKER 2 and creating new single-player content.
During this time, the game received a major expansion pack, The Price of Hope, and a second expansion pack was already in development. Meanwhile, the studio continues to develop other yet-to-be-announced areas, so there’s no specific time frame for multiplayer to appear.
It’s unclear exactly what it is. The developers didn’t specify whether we should expect cooperative exploration of the area or a competitive mode in the spirit of the original trilogy’s multiplayer.
Compatibility with mods remains a separate issue. On PC, a large portion of players use custom mods, which may prevent them from connecting to public sessions without specific support from the developers.
STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl is available now on PC and Xbox Series, and is included with Game Pass.
