THQ signs S.T.A.L.K.E.R.

THQ has today announced that it has secured the worldwide publishing rights to S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Oblivion Lost, which is currently in development at Ukraine-based GSC Game World. The game is the first to utilize the developer's proprietary X-Ray engine, which allows for massive indoor and outdoor environments. It is set in and around the ill-fated Chernobyl nuclear facility and will see players assuming the role of a "stalker" who must earn a living by scavenging the underground laboratories, abandoned military bases. and radioactive forests for artifacts.

"S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Oblivion Lost is an extremely unique game that seamlessly blends the genres of first-person action, survival horror, and role-playing into a single experience," said Jack Sorensen, executive vice president of worldwide studios, THQ. "This was truly one of the most talked about games at the recent Game Developers Conference and we are very excited to be working with GSC Game World as we move more aggressively into the high-end PC business."

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Oblivion Lost is currently scheduled for release sometime in 2004. For more information, check out our previous coverage of the game.