There are only a few hours left until the release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope. Along with the large-scale addition, players will receive a free “Return to the Zone — Update 2.0”, which will add new features, items and a number of technical and visual changes.
Against this background, GSC Game World has separately addressed users of modifications. The studio advises to completely remove installed mods before launching the new version, and return them only after the authors adapt their works to the patch.
Owners of the Steam version are recommended to unsubscribe from all modifications in the Steam Workshop. For mods from mod.io, you need to cancel subscriptions via the in-game browser or the “My Library” section, then delete the folders C:\Users\Public\mod.io\5761 and C:\Users[username]\AppData\Local\mod.io\5761.
Those using custom mods should clear the Stalker2/Content/Paks/~mods folder.
The developers also advise starting a new playthrough without third-party mods. You should only return them after checking compatibility with the current patch, as old versions can cause crashes, instability, and performance issues.
When to expect mod updates and what will change for their authors
The situation with modifications after the release of Cost of Hope and Update 2.0 will depend on the authors themselves. The most active modders have been testing Zone Kit Phase 2 within the closed beta for almost a month. Thanks to early access, they can adapt their works to the new version in advance, so some popular mods may receive an update as early as August 20, 2026.
At the same time, you should not expect instant adaptation of all modifications. For most authors, modding remains a hobby, so some will need a few hours, while others will take much more time.
The Zone Kit closed beta has become a platform for preliminary testing of the tool by the most active modders. They receive early access to new versions, can communicate directly with developers, participate in Q&A sessions, and use separate technical support.
Authors who did not get into the closed program will also be able to update their modifications. With the release of Update 2.0 and Cost of Hope, Zone Kit will move to Phase 2, available to all modders. In addition, the tool will receive new features for creating scenarios, voiceovers, localization, and custom quests.
There is a separate warning for Zone Kit users: the transition to Phase 2 is accompanied by an engine update, which may conflict with the new version of the game. Before the first launch on August 20, you need to delete the corresponding residual files.
On Xbox, the recommendation remains the same as on PC: first, you should play the game without modifications, and only then return them after adaptation. Older versions may work, but they are not recommended to use them after the release of Update 2.0.