UPDATE: STALKER 2 Requires Permanant Internet Connection

Update: Seems it was a mis-translation. On twitter, GSG responded to the DRM news by saying that it’s only a possibility, and NOT the final DRM solution.

Rock Paper Shotgun also received the following statement:

“The idea of implementing DRM came in as a possible anti-piracy solution. You know the severe level of commercial piracy we have here in ex-USSR region. This said however, there is no firm decision to go for DRM with S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 as of now. Be assured, we do realize how uncomfortable this solution is for the players, so we’ll continue looking for most effective, yet acceptable for all, way of protecting the game by the time of its release.”

So, good news then! Hopefully they don’t end up going this route, but for now it seems things aren’t all doom and gloom.

Original Story:
Speaking to a Ukranian Publication, Studio Director Sergey Grigorovich revealed the game’s online requirement in a Q&A session.

When asked directly about the game’s security system, Grigorovich said the following:

”Protection from piracy? Part of the content will be located on the server and downloaded as the game progresses. Permanent internet access is required. Text information, code and quests will be loaded through that connection.”

The actual quote may vary based on translation software, but the gist seems to be that this game needs the connection to relay some important parts of the game to the player. Hopefully this is just a large misunderstanding caused by something being lost in translation, but it’s a long shot. Ubisoft has a DRM system much like this one, but it was broken and now is largely useless against pirates. This system will likely suffer the same fate. It’s sad to see another game adopting this system. Consumers will be the ones hurt, pirates won’t have to deal with it since they pirate it, and the wheel just keeps on spinning.

Sad, I was really looking forward to this game too.

Via – Kotaku Austrailia