GSC Game World Eyes Console Development

GSC Game World, developer of the hit post-mini-apocalyptic FPS S.T.A.L.K.E.R., is considering expanding into the console market.

Although normally a PC developer, the company has been keeping its eye on the console market. "PC game development is very traditional for ex-U.S.S.R. and over 90 percent of gamers here play on PCs. However, we are pretty aware of the tendencies in the market internationally and have been considering console development for awhile," GSC Project Manager Anton Bolshakov said in an interview with CVG. However, the company has "no announcements yet" regarding other platforms, he said.

While best known in North America for S.T.A.L.K.E.R., the Kiev-based company is primarily a real-time strategy developer, responsible for American Conquest, Heroes of Annihilated Empires, Alexander and its most successful franchise so far, Cossacks. In July, GSC Game World announced a S.T.A.L.K.E.R. prequel named S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky, set a year before the events of the first game. Clear Sky is currently scheduled for released in early 2008.