Stalker 2 developer GSC Game World achieved profitability before its release, according to studio founder Sergiy Grygorovych. The financial success was attributed to a deal with Microsoft for Xbox exclusivity and inclusion on Xbox Game Pass.
Grygorovych stated in an interview that Microsoft initiated contact after being impressed by the debut trailer's viewership, leading to negotiations for exclusivity terms. He indicated that the payment received from Microsoft exceeded the total development cost of Stalker 2, ensuring the game recouped its expenses prior to its official launch day. Microsoft's involvement included securing timed console exclusivity, a day-one release on Xbox Game Pass, and assistance with production, marketing, and a making-of documentary.
Stalker 2 eventually launched on PC and Xbox Series X/S in November 2024, with a PlayStation 5 version following in November 2025. The game experienced delays, originally slated for Q4 2021. Since its release, Stalker 2 has achieved significant commercial success, selling over 1 million copies within its first two days and surpassing 6 million players to date. The first major story expansion, "Cost of Hope," was released in the summer.
While the specific figures for Microsoft's payment and Stalker 2's development cost remain undisclosed, Grygorovych's comments highlight Microsoft's strategy to bolster its content portfolio and attract Game Pass subscribers. Developers have previously acknowledged Microsoft's generous deals for exclusivity and Game Pass, which have been credited with reducing financial risk and supporting studios.
These revelations come amid a period of significant restructuring within Microsoft's gaming division under new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma. Recent staff reductions and a shift in strategy, including pulling "Call of Duty" from day-one Game Pass launches and focusing on major franchises like "Fallout," signal a re-evaluation of the company's gaming business. Four studios are confirmed to be leaving Microsoft ownership, with another expected to follow, in what Sharma described as the most substantial restructure in Xbox history, citing the gaming business's current unhealthiness.