S.T.A.L.K.E.R - Stories

[Nemesis6]

Problem is, if you enable motion blur you will get visual artifacts in the sky for one thing. This is most likely why they left it out.

Anyway, good news - Float32 2.0 is out for STALKER. Get it if you're running full dynamic lighting.

 

[taviow]

Artifacts in the sky? I never had any problem with motion blur.

 

[RyanG]

BAH! STALKER keeps crashing and giving me a BSOD, then instantly restarting my computer.

 

[MRG]

For those of you playing the awesome Stalker Rebalanced 1.1 mod, the Dev, Shadow_State, has released an update for it, bring the mod to v1.02.

Stalker - Rebalanced v1.02 Incremental Patch

This patch will bring any previous version of Stalker - Rebalanced up to version 1.02. Simply over-right with the newer files.
There is no requirement to start a new game.

V1.02 Change Log:
- Includes all previous fixes
- Minor balance to some wpn characteristics
- Fixes crash on dead body in Bandit Factory basment in Dark Valley (requires new game)
- Fixed issue when dying of hunger whislt sleeping for 9hr
- Updated Float32 to new v2.0
- Changed user.ltx variable to r2_sun_lumscale_amb = 2.6
- Fixed crash when talking to the Duty Sargent at the Bar about the massacre
- Rebalanced some NPCs
- Removed the unnecessary indepth wpn information
- Changed Petruha's name to "Ranger"
- Added amazing new Groza skin by Mellinea
http://sleekupload.com/uploads/groza_2.jpg
- Old groza skin now only on 5.45mm unique Groza
- Widescreen inventory no longer looks stretched

Download here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?4gzyin19iyw

-MRG

 

[Nabobalis]

What about Oblivion Lost? It sounds amazing but anyone had experience with it?

 

[Unfocused]

What about Oblivion Lost? It sounds amazing but anyone had experience with it?

Read the thread mate.

 

[MRG]

What about Oblivion Lost? It sounds amazing but anyone had experience with it?

Silly boy..

Please Read back a few pages before asking a question about a Mod that we have already covered. Oblivion Lost is old hat mate. Been there, done that & have since moved on to other, better mods.

-MRG

 

[Nabobalis]

Read the thread mate.

Silly boy..

Please Read back a few pages before asking a question about a Mod that we have already covered. Oblivion Lost is old hat mate. Been there, done that & have since moved on to other, better mods.

-MRG

Lol ok. Wasn't sure how far back it was. I'm just lazy Thanks, usiing stalker rebalanced now.

Seems good so far. But how do i give someone a better gun? One guy at the start wants a AK74 and I got one with me. So how do I give it to him or is that somewhere in the thread too?

 

[DEATHMASTER]

military uses ak74s. I think the first i encountered was the ones where you save Mole at that place before you go underground.

 

[MRG]

Lol ok. Wasn't sure how far back it was. I'm just lazy Thanks, usiing stalker rebalanced now.

Seems good so far. But how do i give someone a better gun? One guy at the start wants a AK74 and I got one with me. So how do I give it to him or is that somewhere in the thread too?

Once you are infront of an NPC, equip the weapon & then press "G" or whatever you have the throw weapon key bined to. "G" is by default. The NPC will then pick up the weapon & then equip it.

-MRG

 

[RyanG]

Wow! Here's a sweet site with a lot of real Pripyat/Chernobyl photos... I think some of these might've been used by the design team for STALKER.
The resemblance is striking. Check this one out:

[link]

 

[xcellerate]

how can I edit the amount of RU that I have?

I've already beaten the game, I just want to play through it again and can't figure out how to give myself more money.

 

[MRG]

how can I edit the amount of RU that I have?

I've already beaten the game, I just want to play through it again and can't figure out how to give myself more money.

I would advise you to go here: http://www.gamecopyworld.com/
Search under "S" and then download the trainer for whichever patch version you are using. Option #9 = 100k RU.

-MRG

 

[Adabiviak]

The pic on the lower left looks like that first camp in garbage. The boys who did the levels and artwork did some serious research into what Chernobyl actually looks like. There's a pretty accurate model of the 'elephant foot' (underground in the Dark Valley) and Chernobyl itself is done wonderfully, right down to the cinder block design.

 

[morgs]

Yeah, it looks exactly like the real chernobyl, it's amazing.

 

[RyanG]

OK...

Spoiler

So I'm in sarcophagus inside the Chernobyl NPP and I keep hearing this thundering voice saying something in Ukrainian or Russian or something. But what is he saying?!?! ARGH!
I'm guessing it's not essential to the game, because I've noticed that important pieces of speech have been translated and others have not, I'm guessing to save time when localizing.
If anybody knows what he's saying, please speak up.

 

[MRG]

A new patch for the Mod "Oblivion Lost" has been released.

This patch adds in a new A-Life System.

Quote:New A-Life System

There's a chance to meet fractions in each levels, also it's totally random.

Cordon:
- The Military attacks the bandits in the carpark

Garbage:
- The Military attacks the loners and the bandits in the Hangar

Agroprom:
- You can meet Mercenaries somewhere around the lake

Dark Valley:
- The Duty and the Military attacks the bandit base

Bar:
- The Freedom attacks the Duty base

Rostok:
- The Military sometimes attacks Rostok

Army Warehouses:
- The Duty and the Military attacks the Freedom base

Red Forest:
- All fractions try to reach the center of the Zone, and there's a chance to some of them become zombified by the Psy Emission
.
- A message will notice you about the random events
- Random mutant spawn system
- Improved respawn rates


Random weather
- Now you don't know what will happen in the skies in the next minute, there's a chance to had intensive storms anytime

New weapons
- BM16 Long Rifle - you can buy it from the Barkeep if you have 12000ru
- M-134 Minigun - there's a unique quest to obtain it

Improved realism
- All weapons tweaked and more balanced
- NPC and actor damages more balanced
- Added better sounds for the weapons and better battle sounds
- Added better skins for cats, zombies and the bandit leader
- Added a more transparent moon texture
- Improved the driving parameters of the Moskvich
- The damage of the blowout is lowered and more balanced


This patch requires that Oblivion Lost 1.3 be installed ( You do not need 1.3.1 installed)

Download:
http://stalker.filefront.com/file/Oblivion_Lost_Cumulative_Patch;87172

-MRG

 

[MRG]

Mod Name: House Ordos Stalker
Release Date: 11-05-2007
File Size: 14mb

This mod kicks ass! Not very realistic, but a shit load of fun.

This is a conversion that changes all the weapons in the game, their ammo, the grenades & their accessories into futuristic variants. These weapons have unique icons, textures and sounds, not to mention the behavior. To ease your life you can also repair your weapons and armors by all the main traders

List of changes, far from be complete.
(In random order...)

Weapons & Ammo

* All the weapons but the shotguns have been converted into S.F. Weapons, in terms of icons, textures etc.
* All the ammo but the shotguns cartridges have been converted accordingly.
* The weapons' description now includes a list of useful info like...

Theoric Damage,
Rate of fire,
Magazine,
Range,
Optionals,
Ammo list.

* Many new weapons are now available: they can be purchased from the Trader, the Barman, or they can be retrieved from the fallen enemies.
* The icon of each weapon now shows the weapon's type of damage and type of ammo.
* Same as above for the icon of each ammo: now should be easy to find the right weapon-ammo pair.
* Except the low-end shotguns now every weapon unable to use a sight has attached an aiming laser: the iron sights are still available in the low-end shotguns. See the weapon's description for further references.
* The silenced weapons are now very silenced: it is still Stalker, and not Splinter Cell, nevertheless...
* The handgun's ammo are weightless.

Armor

* Every armor has a night-vision capability! The low-end armor use the green and cheap intensifier, the middle-end armor use a green, accurate intensifier that use a lot of energy to run. Infact after a while it shut-down, but you can activate it once again after a score of seconds. The high-end armor, needless to say, use the blue, accurate intensifier.
* Now the armors decay if hit, even if hit by radiaction: you'll notice it if you stand too long in a radioactive area!
* The armor's description now includes the armor's stats: now you should be able to find the best armor with ease.

Miscellaneous

* All the icons are now highlighted with a purple hue: this rather odd feature is useful to recognize at a glance each kind of weapon, even in the utter darkness. Anyway we have included the original bitmap, thus you can change the purple to wathever color you like.
* The missions now can be completed in 10 days, not just one.
* The light during the 24-hours has been significantly changed: if you don't exceed with the game's light, contrast and gamma you should note that the night is now very dark: without an armor with nightvison you are unable to see even you feet.
* The loading of the game has been improved.
* The weather in all the Zone has been changed in something more plausible.
* The Trader and the Barman now sell all the kind of ammo and all the add-ons.
* The Trader sells a fairly wide number of weapons; he sells also a limited number of armors.
* The Barman sells all the weapons; he sells also a fairly wide number of armors.
* The light has now a grater range and a blue hue.
* Their negative effects of the artefacts have been changed, but not removed.
* All the main traders can now repair your weapons and armor.

http://stalker.filefront.com/file/House_Ordos_STALKER_2062_AD;84181x#1398575

-MRG

Update: - This mod is simply awesome. For all of you Star Trek & Star War Sci-Fi fans, this is a must try mod. This mod combines excellent weapon fire lighting, (Great for night fighting!) along with excellent weapon accuracy & damage. So far, I have had zero game play issues & all mission triggers at this time seem to be working just fine. I currently have 3 mods installed;

1) Weather Overhaul Static Lite 2.0
2) S.H.A.P.E.R Textures 0.95
2) House Ordos Futuristic Mod

-MRG

 

[Nabobalis]

Sounds like a blast, will try.

How do you uninstall mods?

 

[MRG]

Simply delete the "Gamedata" folder to delete the mod(s) as only mod files are kept in the Gamedata folder, with the exception of the "User.LTX" file which keeps track of your key binds, your audio & graphical settings. That file is kept here: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\STALKER-SHOC but this file should not be deleted when a mod is.

If you try the House Ordos mod, make sure you follow the install directions, as it's a little different to install. When it asks you to rename the Localization file, simply delete the existing localization file before renaming the file for your language. A little confusing, so pay close attention. Also make sure that you run the mods "Scrambler" once before you start a game. the .pdf readme tells you all & is actually quite informative.

One last thing, remember to only patch your game to 1.0004.

-MRG

 

[MRG]

I have been asked a lot of questions since I first started "S.T.A.L.K.E.R Stories" about which mods to try, but the question I seem to have been asked the most, both here on these forums & on others that I post at & the one I seem to read most people having, is why does Stalker not start after so-&-so mod has been installed. After installing & then starting any given mod, you might have audio, but not video & so will be forced to Ctrl+Alt+Del out to close the game.

The reason for this "Crash" as i'll call it, is due to a change that has been made to the User.ltx file located that is, as I mentioned earlier, located here:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\STALKER-SHOC

There are 2 lines from the User.ltx file that cause problems, and they are as follows:

vid_mode **** x **** - This is the resolution that Stalker Runs at. Some mods ask you to replace the User.ltx file, as enhanced graphical tweaks have been added to the settings within the file. Often times, the maker of the mod might have this set to a resolution that your monitor does not support. This can give you an "Out of Range" error message or the game will just crash or you'll hear audio, but the screen will be black, often times with the power light on your monitor going from Green to orange. (Or any combination of colors your monitors power indicator might be.) Simply edit the field to a resolution you know your monitor supports. You can always change it to a higher value ingame which will then save that new resolution here in this file the next time you exit the game.

"rs_refresh_60hz Off" is the other leading cause of Stalker not starting after you have replaced the User.ltx file with one that came with the mod you installed. I'm not going to go into why this causes the game to crash so simply change the "Off" to "On" and then Save & exit.

Hope this helps.

-MRG

 

[Nabobalis]

Simply delete the "Gamedata" folder to delete the mod(s) as only mod files are kept in the Gamedata folder, with the exception of the "User.LTX" file which keeps track of your key binds, your audio & graphical settings. That file is kept here: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\STALKER-SHOC but this file should not be deleted when a mod is.

If you try the House Ordos mod, make sure you follow the install directions, as it's a little different to install. When it asks you to rename the Localization file, simply delete the existing localization file before renaming the file for your language. A little confusing, so pay close attention. Also make sure that you run the mods "Scrambler" once before you start a game. the .pdf readme tells you all & is actually quite informative.

One last thing, remember to only patch your game to 1.0004.

-MRG

Ok thanks, but why only patch to 1.0004?

Also, in one word would trying oblivion lost and Faiakes mod be worthwhile?

 

[MRG]

The reason 1.0004, is because thats the version of patch that the House Ordos mod works with. I tried it with 1.0005 & the game crashed every time. If the correct patch is not installed, there is a very good chance that the mod(s) will not work correctly or if at all.

One word for both Oblivion Lost or Faiakes? - Yes.

However, I strongly advise you to first read each mods readme & to read the comments that other users have posted about both mods. I found both mods to be a lot of fun & quite different from one another, but both mods crashed Stalker for me later on in the game. This is a known problem in the game that some people have had while playing with either of the two mods installed.

-MRG

 

[djstoker]

Right, so after reading some of the awesome stories in this thread, I went and bought STALKER from steam.

I have a quick question, when I play the game through for the first time, should I just play it through with no mods at all, or with something like the Stalker rebalanced mod (which seems to stick to the original experience but just improve it in places.)

I want to get the best first time experience out of this game as I love the concept/location/feel of it.

Thanks!

 

[Lucid]

Does anybody else get incredibly long load times?

 

[taviow]

Right, so after reading some of the awesome stories in this thread, I went and bought STALKER from steam.

I have a quick question, when I play the game through for the first time, should I just play it through with no mods at all, or with something like the Stalker rebalanced mod (which seems to stick to the original experience but just improve it in places.)

I want to get the best first time experience out of this game as I love the concept/location/feel of it.

Thanks!

Play without mods first I would say. I would only use graphic mods like Float32. It makes the game run better.

 

[Adabiviak]

I'd recommend playing with the 'quest fix' mod, as for whatever reason the developers didn't fix the quests in their patches. If you don't, just be prepared for some wasted time chasing your tail for some chores.

I get pretty short load times (I actually see the little radiator/progress bar move), but Stalker crashes. A lot. Like within hours of each other (yes, I've reinstalled it). I had a marathon play earlier today of about four hours, woah! Too bad it's such a good game. I am still looking for the 'safari' mod that'll overpopulate the countryside with critters. I'm playing Sanex's ALife (Alive?) mod now. A couple cats, a couple chimeras, a few extra dogs... yawn. I might finally put this game down for a while.

 

[taviow]

I'm still wondering when is Clear Sky released?

 

[Nabobalis]

I'm still wondering when is Clear Sky released?

Q1 2008, but that coming to an end very soon. So I they will delay it. Maybe almost to Q3 2008.

Anyword on a new patch? I keep seeing talk about a 1.1 patch in beta or something but I dont know what to make of it. I know 1.0006 is being worked on and it seems to a MP patch only.

 

[taviow]

I just realised my question has been answered already earlier in the thread. Oh well.

 

[MRG]

Mod name: AMK Mod 1.4
File Size: 45mb
Release Date: Russian version released, English Translation almost finished.
Website: http://board.oblivion-lost.de/showthread.php?t=12558

There is quite a large list a changes for a mod that is only 45mb. I am waiting for the English translation to be finished.

-MRG

 

[Nabobalis]

Mod name: AMK Mod 1.4
File Size: 45mb
Release Date: Russian version released, English Translation almost finished.
Website: http://board.oblivion-lost.de/showthread.php?t=12558

There is quite a large list a changes for a mod that is only 45mb. I am waiting for the English translation to be finished.

-MRG

Wow, that seems amazing really. Can;t wait. Hope clear sky's AI is like that.

 

[MRG]

It's 10:00PM, the lights are off & my headphones are on.

I just got out of playing Stalker for the past 2 hours & had finally made it further in the game than I had ever been. I'm at the point where you escort the scientist around collecting measurements for a new suit.

After collecting the new Ecologist suit, I decide to go exploring a bit before I continue on with the mission to find the dead Scientist that was traveling with Ghost. Nearby are a few large buildings, so thats where I head to first. As I slowly make my way from the bunker to the buildings, there are several undead blokes shuffling around, so I place a single 7.62x54Rmm round from my "Farshooter SVDm 2" rifle into the head of each. The first few go down & stay down, but the last zombie Duty soldier I shot, is flopping around on the ground, with a large blood splatter on the wall right above him. As I walk up & look down at the zombie, I hear this blood curdling scream from right behind me. As my heart beat goes up several hundred beats faster, I spin around just as this leftover WW1 trench fighter, leaps at me. I raise my rifle & manage to fire off one shot before I die. So I reload & continue on my way. This time I manage to get inside the courtyard between all the buildings & managed to take a screenshot. Then realized that the spot I found also allowed me an excellent birds eye view of my surroundings, which showed me that I was in a great place to snipe from.

This cluster of buildings sure has kept me on my toes like no other place in game so far has.

-MRG

 

[Adabiviak]

I'm trying the ABC mod. Full reinstall of the game, patched to v1.0004, reinstall of Float32 2.0, and an update to the mod: version 1, the patch, and the other patch. The game seems to be what I've been looking for, but any loads (level changes, saves) will crash it to the desktop faster than if I tried to close it - like as fast as a window minimizes without the animation - poof, gone. So I can play Cordon as long as I don't die. Has anyone here successfully played the ABC mod? I'd really like to give it a spin - there were pseudogiants and snorks in Cordon but the locals tore them up with a couple shots from their FM-200s.

 

[RyanG]

It's 10:00PM, the lights are off & my headphones are on.

I just got out of playing Stalker for the past 2 hours & had finally made it further in the game than I had ever been. I'm at the point where you escort the scientist around collecting measurements for a new suit.

After collecting the new Ecologist suit, I decide to go exploring a bit before I continue on with the mission to find the dead Scientist that was traveling with Ghost. Nearby are a few large buildings, so thats where I head to first. As I slowly make my way from the bunker to the buildings, there are several undead blokes shuffling around, so I place a single 7.62x54Rmm round from my "Farshooter SVDm 2" rifle into the head of each. The first few go down & stay down, but the last zombie Duty soldier I shot, is flopping around on the ground, with a large blood splatter on the wall right above him. As I walk up & look down at the zombie, I hear this blood curdling scream from right behind me. As my heart beat goes up several hundred beats faster, I spin around just as this leftover WW1 trench fighter, leaps at me. I raise my rifle & manage to fire off one shot before I die. So I reload & continue on my way. This time I manage to get inside the courtyard between all the buildings & managed to take a screenshot. Then realized that the spot I found also allowed me an excellent birds eye view of my surroundings, which showed me that I was in a great place to snipe from.
This cluster of buildings sure has kept me on my toes like no other place in game so far has.
-MRG

Welcome to the magic of STALKER.
I think that place actually has something to do with a mission you get from the ecologists in the bunker, you may want to check up on it.

 

[xcellerate]

I just played through stalker again, and I realized...this game loads terribly slow, and it's not my machine. I can play crysis fine on 'high', and I play this on 'maximum' at 1280x1024.

But it's so frustrating when you're like 4 load points away and the game says, "go talk to ghost" so you run through a level, which takes 1 minute, then it spends 45 seconds loading the next level.

Plus they don't give you a REAL distance to each quest, they just tell you how far it is to the next load point. Which then makes it more difficult, because I want to do the quest that's closest to me. I don't want to run 2k meters if there's a question 700m away. Or maybe if I go do one quest, it'll put me closer to another quest, etc...it's terribly hard to be efficient with the quests in this game. You pretty much have to bite the bullet, be patient, and just do them as you get them.

Hell, I just don't want those stupid load points. I've never completed all the missions because I always get so frustrated having to load the game so much and having to back track through the same area 10 times for 5 different quests.

"fantastic, you protected the duty members at garbage! ...now go back there again and pick up a stone flower."
...
"fantastic, you picked up the stone flower, now go back there again and kill Friend."
...
"Fantastic, you killed friend, now go back there again and...AHHH!!!!!"

Stalker is uninstalled, I think i can call this game thoroughly beaten; I'll probably buy the next stalker.

 

[Tyguy]

Ive look upon stalker with very keen discontent. I just don't think id like it if I bought it. What is the overall point/purpose in the game. If I disliked Oblivion, would I most likely dislike Stalker?

 

[RyanG]

You might. In STALKER, however, there is no f***ing around with stats and stuff. The RPG elements it has is an open gameworld, a quest system, and an inventory system. It's not too complicated.

 

[Tyguy]

Does it involve alot of "look for a key, open door, repeat?" type stuff or is it mainly focused on hunting down an enemy and killing him, repeat?

 

[xcellerate]

there's only...3 times I believe you have to find a door key, and it's really quite simple.

It's mostly a bunch of, "Go talk to this guy" and then you walk a few miles, realize you need a health kit to talk to him, run back to where you just were 2 miles ago, buy a health kit..***n back another 2 miles, revive him and then you can talk to him.

That may be a bad example, but it's basically a bunch of quest stuff, "help this guy" or "find these documents"...etc

Sometimes I just feel cheated, because you'll return to the same area multiple times sometimes for different reasons. I just wish they'd tell you everything you need to do in that area, then you can do them and not have to waste time running back and forth anymore.