Report: Bethesda acquires Stalker game rights

Bethesda has acquired the rights to the RPG series Stalker, according to a report.

A “very reliable source” has allegedly told Ukranian blogger Sergey Galyonkin that the Fallout and Elder Scrolls developer now owns all the rights to the franchise as a game.

Original creator at GSC Game World Sergei Grigorovich however has retained the rights to the any spin-offs outside gaming such as books, movies and merchandising, although this may change in future.

The game will also no longer be developed in Ukraine.

Bethesda declined to make a statement as it does not comment on rumour or speculation.

GSC was forced to close earlier this year after running into financial problems, with the team reforming under the new studio Vostok Games.

Vostok is currently developing free-to-play multiplayer title Survarium, which it has described as a spiritual successor to STALKER.

It is currently slated for release in 2013.