E3: Stalker developer undecided on publisher

GSC Game World appears to be looking beyond previous publisher THQ for a partnership on S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky.

"We are now in the middle of negotiations," PR Manager Valentine Yeltyshev told GamesIndustry.biz, "so we're not decided on who will publish the game."

Clear Sky is the newly-announced prequel to this year's first-person shooter, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl, which earned much acclaim despite a protracted and seemingly fraught period in development.

Strong sales of the PC-only shooter helped THQ end its 2007 fiscal year by topping USD 1 billion in sales.

Developer GSC Game World is demonstrating the game to trade and press at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, part of the E3 Media & Business Summit.

THQ was not immediately available for comment. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky is due out in Q1 2008.