GSC Game World has confirmed plans to continue its excellent atmospheric STALKER series beyond the original trilogy. The Kiev, Ukraine-based developer officially announced today that STALKER 2 is in development.

Targeted for a 2012 release, it’s still a ways off, but GSC has already manged to spur excitement. Although details are scarce, STALKER 2 is powered by a “multiplatform” technology, a move possibly prompted by the breakout success of its nearest competitor — THQ’s Metro 2033.

Branching out to console platforms would mark a first for the franchise. Previous STALKER installments — Shadow of Chernobyl, Clear Sky, and Call of Pripyat remain PC exclusive to this day.

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