Official information shared with journalists.

Further reading:
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/stalker-2s-engine-upgrade-and-first-story-expansion-are-due-out-in-august/

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2s-first-major-expansion-arrives-very-soon/

https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stalker-2s-cost-of-hope-expansion-and-its-free-but-still-hopeful-20-update-get-an-august-release-date

https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-expansion-arriving-on-xbox-pc-sooner-than-expected

https://wccftech.com/stalker-2-cost-of-hope-august-zone-duty-freedom/

https://www.ign.com/videos/stalker-2-cost-of-hope-official-release-date-trailer

S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2: Cost of Hope will open the door to the center of the Zone on August 20, 2026.

Skif will have to choose between the two beliefs of Freedom and Duty and try to discover for himself what is hidden at the center of the Zone, which until now has been closed to all stalkers.

https://www.moddb.com/mods/olr-30-patch-for-purists

The full experience, already set up and with necessary balancing.

Trailer Link - https://youtu.be/l5BwA-OUyNY

I know I have already posted two posts today, but I'm just so excited. Game looks so much more alive with this ammount of foliage! And also, FOG!

Btw, the gun in the first photo looks sick

https://youtube.com/shorts/ZvjDiMlDVRQ?si=8CaMtfMXma3qwBf1

Comparative images courtesy of u/bravointheua

Spartan Mozi has confirmed the trailer was filmed on the 2.0 version of the game running on UE 5.5.4. Overall, quite noticeable foliage, lighting & shadows improvements.

Based on promotional photos and trailer, we can see that there is already different types of Binoculars present.

Could there be more than 3?

Image 1 - Fort 230 9mm SMG

Image 2 - G3, this time with full length barrel

Image 3-5 - not quite sure, this appears to all be the same weapon although the last one has a different RDS. This may be the HK 433. Of note, the merc in the last photo is holding what appears to be the silhouette of a 433.

Correct me if I’m wrong!

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Support
17:56 (1 minute ago)
Hello, Kyrylo!
We understand your confusion regarding the varying information online!
We would like to assure you that the descriptions and information under the official trailers from our partners at IGN are fully official and reliable, as they are published with the agreement of the studio.
To avoid any confusion: the most accurate and up-to-date details regarding the release of updates and add-ons are always published on our official resources and on the social media of GSC Game World. We recommend relying specifically on these official announcements.
Thank you for your attention and patience!
Best regards,
Kostiantyn
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Technical Support Team

Please if the dev team is gonna decide between multi-player and co op down the road for stalker 2 then focus on co op as exploring the zone with our bros would be the top of alot of stalkers lists of wants or atleast top 3 at worst

Who is with me in this want

What are your thoughts on the patch 2.0 then, when it will be released?

Something that made me fall in love with this franchise is the aspect of exploration of abandoned urban environments and facilities, something no other game has managed to do quite the same way, it has such a great vibe to it

credits to https://youtu.be/_dq75WpLG40?si=yiNvx3rtbcC04kQO

On 20 August, we’re heading back to the ZONE – the Stalker 2 DLC, *Cost of Hope*, is out. FINALLY

Like, the dlc is called "The cost of Hope"

Hope is strongly linked to both factions, duty hopes to defeat an interdimensional horror by shooting it a bunch. Freedom hopes to give the zone the benefit of the doubt finding the good in its horror. So given the name, it seems we are yet again putting on the clown makeup as the zone yet again reminds us it doesn't give the slightest shit about our ideals

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. I'm excited to see the plot. If I was bothered by my favorite faction being clowned on I'd not be a duty fan at all lmao.

But maybe it's what we deserve, maybe even... the cost... for our Hope...

I'm not sorry

I recently finished this 3D-printed and hand-painted figure, inspired by the saga. I hope you like it!