Last month, we reported that GSC Game World has been working on the next patch for their FPS S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl that’ll add a bunch of fixes and a new Freeplay gameplay mode. Well, it’s been a month and a half since then, so where is it?
According to the latest word from CVG, the patch has hit some snags with the game’s publisher THQ. Oleg Yavorsky, PR manager for GSC, said, "Big publishers have certain rules and strict requirements which we have to obey as developer. The new patch has been in test for quite some time and we’re sending regular updates to THQ. So players should be able to get their hands on the next patch very soon."
So it looks like it’s not necessarily GSC’s fault, but instead it’s THQ. While it may be that THQ is busy or has higher priorities at the time, the patch delay has angered some of the game’s fansites. Specifically, the game’s biggest fansite, Oblivion-Lost.de, went on strike in protest of THQ’s lack of support.
Some patch notes include a 10-15% FPS increase, a saved game converter, the new freeplay gameplay mode, and general network optimizations.
