Early patch notes for Stalker 2’s first major update outline several changes that will fix crashes, progress errors, and UI issues.
The highly anticipated Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl was reviewed quite well, but launched with a wide range of issues. Players have had to deal with crashing errors, bugs blocking main mission objectives, and NPCs getting stuck in random situations.
Developer GSC Game World has already promised to address these issues and more, and players can look forward to such changes going live soon.
During the week beginning November 25, the studio will release a PC and Xbox patch that fixes crashes, destroys progress-blocking bugs, and adjusts the prices of upgraded weapons. Those exploring the Zone should also be freed from visual effects glitches and shaky NPC behavior once the update arrives.
Stalker November 2, 2024 early patch notes
In a Steam News post on November 23, GSC Game World shared early release notes for an update scheduled for PC and Xbox “in the coming week.”
Aside from the day one patch, this is Stalker 2’s first post-launch patch, with the team planning to address bugs in the analog stick and A-Life system in future updates.
GSC game worldThe first update will include:
- Crash solutions
- Memory allocation issues and errors that caused the game to quit unexpectedly earlier, especially around rendering, skeletal meshes, and quest-related cutscenes.
- Progression fixes for main missions
- Various bugs blocking main mission progress, NPCs getting stuck in objects, incorrect mission markers, and issues with mission cutscenes.
- Overhaul of key quests (such as Visions of Truth or A Minor Incident) to ensure smooth transitions, avoiding rare cases where players are unable to proceed.
- Gameplay and balance adjustments
- Determining the price of the weapons with upgrades installed compared to their value without attachments.
- The behavior of NPCs, including how they behave when they have no shelter during the emissions.
- Cutscene and visual solutions
- Rarely missing facial animations, misplaced NPCs, and visual inconsistencies like loose heads and clothing clipping.
- Quality and stability improvements to the visual effects.
- Softlock solutions
- Fixed an issue where players were unable to close the trading screen after placing ammo in the wrong slot while playing on a gamepad.
- User interface improvements
- Quest notifications are now displayed correctly during dialogues.
- Corrected texts and missing interaction instructions.
- It is noted that this will be addressed in future updates
- Analog sticks dead zones bug fixes.
- Bug fixes in the A-Life system.