author: Michael Zegar
GSC's Lost Isometric STALKER Leaked Online
A playable version of the canceled S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Online, developed by GSC Game World studio a decade ago, has appeared online. The title was to be an isometric multiplayer action game with a visual style reminiscent of Fallout 2.
STALKER community focused around the VK website, called Vestnik «Togo Samogo Stalkera» (or Herald of "the Same Stalker", reported yesterday that a playable version of the game S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Online (not to be confused with STALKER Online from Mobile Technologies) has been releases online. A decade ago the game was developed by GSC Game World - creators of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series.
It was to be a browser-based isometric online game with real-time combat based on the Adobe Flash plug-in (which has been inactive for a couple of years now). Work on the engine of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Online began in December 2009. In turn, two months later, the design of the game itself began.
Back to the past
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Online was announced on December 17, 2010 and was expected to be released within the next 12 months. On the Russian Wiki dedicated to the game we read:
"In June [2010 - editor's note], game designer Piotr Duszynski abandoned development due to slow progress and a lack of agreement with the company's management on what the game should ultimately look like - instead focusing entirely on developing [the canceled - editor's note] S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2.
Around the same time, the first results of the introduction [to S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Online - ed. note] a day and night system, as well as the addition of at least one weather effect - rain have become visible."
A sad end and a gameplay video
In the fall of 2011, however, work on the title was put on hold. Two years ago, a gameplay from the cancelled S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Online has surfaced, which you can watch at this link. In turn, screenshots showing gameplay can be found here, as well as on the Russian Wiki.