In 2001, young Kyiv developers led by Serhiy Hryhorovych decided to create the most complex game in the world with realistic graphics, an open world and an unusual plot revolving around the Chornobyl zone. With the launch of the promotional campaign, tens of thousands of people around the world were waiting for STALKER, but the developers became hostage to their ambitions. They endlessly improved the game, postponing its release date every year. But at one point, the American publisher's patience ran out.