The situation surrounding the upcoming release of “S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl” is becoming increasingly complex, influenced not only by geopolitical realities but also by potential legal ramifications for users. Recently, gamers have been cautioned that this title may soon find itself on a list of prohibited content.
Developers have taken significant steps, including removing the Russian voiceover and officially banning sales in Russia and Belarus. Furthermore, they have initiated fundraising efforts to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces, prompting Roskomnadzor to block the game’s websites and those of GSC Game World for disseminating extremist information. Such open support for anti-Russian positions may raise suspicions from the state.
Although the game is not expected to feature Denuvo protection and is likely to appear on torrent sites within hours of its release—something many anticipate—there is a possibility that prominent piracy sites will refrain from hosting the cracked version of this controversial title.
Concerns from Piracy Platforms
One of the largest piracy platforms recently posted on social media advising users not to expect a repack of the game on their site. Moderators cited concerns regarding the potential classification of the game as extremist. Should this occur, distributing the game, even in pirated form, could lead to legal consequences.
Given that the government possesses tools to track users who purchase or distribute prohibited content, it is technically straightforward to identify the source of a copy and its downloader. If “S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2” is indeed classified as extremist material, any actions related to its distribution or even information about it could be deemed unlawful.
This situation places not only key sellers and piracy services at risk of legal action but also streamers, reviewers, and guide authors. Currently, the landscape remains uncertain; discussions are primarily theoretical regarding potential bans on purchases, which authorities might interpret as financing terrorism due to the game’s association with an organization recognized as extremist in Russia.
However, if any illegal content is discovered within the game, the implications would be far more significant. In any case, being forewarned is tantamount to being forearmed.
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