Though when we last checked in on S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 in January, work was said to be continuing on it, we couldn't help but be a little concerned. After all, developer GSC Game World was said to have almost shut down in December 2011, and the circumstances still haven't been explained. How splendid then, that GSC flat-out stated today that yes, the open-world survival shooter sequel is still in development.

"To answer the multitude of questions we've been getting, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is currently in development, yes," GSC said on its official Twitter. "However there is no release date yet."

Earlier in the day, it noted that, "a 2012 release is not possible."

Asked why GSC hasn't explained what was going on, it responded, "There are legal reasons why we have not made an 'official' statement." The mysteries of The Zone endure.