S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl receives its 1.5 update, bringing numerous adjustments and fixes, but the spotlight falls squarely on GSC Game World's initial release of modding tools... though they come with staggering storage demands.
"Customize the Zone to Your Vision with the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Zone Kit," announced GSC Game World. "Alter existing content or craft entirely new experiences – modify animations, weapons, game mechanics, or even create new anomalies within the Zone."
While exciting, modders face a major hurdle – requiring a colossal 700GB of additional free space beyond the game's existing 160GB installation.
The developer explained this massive requirement stems from their decision to provide uncompressed source files to ensure modders work with original assets, ultimately benefiting the entire community with higher quality modifications.
"The mod kit's substantial size results from delivering uncompressed game assets to content creators," GSC told PC Gamer. "Given the game's scale and extensive assets, this leads to a significant download. As this represents Phase One of the Zone Kit, we'll investigate potential optimization opportunities moving forward."
"We're releasing the Zone Kit incrementally to collaborate with modders throughout development," a community manager clarified on Reddit. "Phase One already offers numerous capabilities, with Phase Two planned to expand Zone modification possibilities further."
Our S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl review awarded the game an 8/10, noting: "Beneath its technical challenges lies an exceptional experience – a relentlessly harsh shooter that captivates through unparalleled atmosphere and delivers a profoundly rewarding journey." Learn more about how S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 transformed GSC Game World's trajectory during Ukraine's full-scale invasion.