Russia designates developer of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. video game series as ‘undesirable’ organisation

The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office has designated Ukrainian game developer GSC Game World, creators of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games series, as an “undesirable” organisation over its alleged financial support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

In an official statement, the prosecutor’s office said the Kyiv-based company had transferred $17 million (€14.6 million) to a fund supporting Ukrainian soldiers in 2022, which was allegedly used to purchase combat drones, weapons components, and vehicles.

The company’s portrayal of Russia as an aggressor state and use of materials that “discredit” Russia were also listed as reasons for the decision to blacklist it.

The prosecutor’s office added that in 2024, the company released the game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, which allegedly “promotes Ukrainian narratives” and “contains aggressive Russophobic content”.

Introduced in 2015, Russia’s law on “undesirable” organisations carries penalties of up to four years in prison for associated individuals, or up to six for founders and senior figures. However, how this legislation will be applied to a game developer remains uncertain, as the Prosecutor General’s Office did not specify whether Russian citizens could face liability for purchasing, installing, or playing GSC titles via streaming platforms.

This is not the first time Russia has targeted a game developer, with Lesta, creator of the World of Tanks online multiplayer game, having had its Russian operations nationalised in July for alleged links to Ukrainian fundraising.