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Chrono · August 2004

yeah the entire cover system is cool too

and wh40k DOW is amazing for a RTS the characters are very detailed

Umbraed_Monkey · August 2004

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Sid @ Aug 6 2004, 07:55 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> </div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Umbraed Monkey @ Aug 6 2004, 05:20 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> </div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Chrono @ Aug 6 2004, 05:37 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> ...this is going to be my fallout 3 <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'>
THIS is going to be my fallout3 <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' />

[IMG of wierd Troika Games Tech demo here] </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'>
WHAT is that?! :o  </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> 
Trokia (guys who did fallout 1!). Screenshot of post-apocalyptic world.

If its not fallout or wasteland equivalent (they dont have the license to either), I'll be very very disappointed.

Chrono · August 2004

i was under the impression black isle did fallout 1?

isnt troika the team that is making the vampire game on the source engine?

UltimaGecko · August 2004

I think I heard somewhere that the first 3 of those E3 movies are running at the lowest system requirements (the 4th is DX9 and therefore would have to be running at the highest level). I'm not sure of the validity of this information, but if it's true - that'd be awesome.

My hope is that they let you choose the language everyone will be speaking in (being as it's in Ukraine)...Everything about it seems pretty nice.

And for reference: Chernobyl (Чорнобыл/Чернобыль depending on Ukranian/Russian)

<a href='http://www.stalker-game.com/index_eng.html' target='_blank'>Stalker website</a> This is the Game page, there's a bunch of others but this goes right to the story (also has a music sampling playing in the background <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /> .

Umbraed_Monkey · August 2004

From random google source: "Three key members behind the original Fallout (Tim Cain, Leonard Boyarsky and Jason Anderson) left Interplay in 1998 and founded Troika Games."

anywho...back to STALKERy goodness.

Chrono · August 2004

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (UltimaGecko @ Aug 6 2004, 07:29 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> I think I heard somewhere that the first 3 of those E3 movies are running at the lowest system requirements (the 4th is DX9 and therefore would have to be running at the highest level). I'm not sure of the validity of this information, but if it's true - that'd be awesome.
 </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> 
see this is why i want a new computer stalker maxed out 100 fps <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wow.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wow.gif' />

Zig · August 2004

<b>multiplayer</b>: the last official statement from the stalker dev team was that they did not plan to have coop mode (basically multiplayer campaign) in the game. everybody wants it, so they might change their minds. there weren't ironsights, and then everybody wanted them, so they implemented.

<b>building a fort with a getaway APC and spotlights</b>: it's extremely hard to smuggle things into the zone.. thereby making the economy very steep, with you at the botom of the slope. you'll be lucky to get an APC at all, afford gas, or a repair job if you find it in bad shape. for the start of the game, at least, be content to have an automatic weapon at all.

Maveric · August 2004

I hope someone pimps STALKER out with a single player mod that puts in 100's of new items, enemies, and things to do. Multiplayer with mods would be absolutely crazy... Anyways, my thoughts about the Coop mode:
They can't do it. They want to do it, but they can't do it. Why? One word:

<u>Bandwidth.</u>

56K modems would explode if you tried to play STALKER in Coop over the internet with the single-player maps, simply because of the massive size of the maps and areas, <i>and</i> the information that needs to be dealt with (NPC needs/actions to satisfy those needs) <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' /> However, that's not to say they wouldn't think of putting in some sort of miniature Sven Coop-like situation/map. There's still hope. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' />

Chrono · August 2004

i got a question is the zone broken up into loading screens? or is it all streamloaded so you dont see a loading screen while exploring

funbags · August 2004

A game like this I would imagine it would be 1 big giant level with no load screens. At the end of the 4th trailor, he says this game is for the hardcore pc gamer who devotes all of his time and effort into upgrading his machine..

EDIT: This game looks way better than D3, and I cant wait to get it.

UltimaGecko · August 2004

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Chrono @ Aug 7 2004, 01:11 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> i got a question is the zone broken up into loading screens? or is it all streamloaded so you dont see a loading screen while exploring  </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> 
I believe it was a 28km square area split into areas half km square up to 4km square or something.

...I'm not sure exactly how that worked - but that was also about a year ago or something, so it might be more streamlined now.

Blobby · August 2004

I've seen it at 2 E3s and expect to see it at a third. It's not a game yet.

Surge · August 2004

It's not Oblivion Lost anymore...

sheena_yanai · August 2004

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Surge @ Aug 7 2004, 06:41 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> It's not Oblivion Lost anymore... </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'>
you got owned by zig..

read the first post again.. and this time carefully... and look at the edit date and time.. and then hide in shame for not saying anything constructive, or something we not already know <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' />

this game is my personal favourite next to hl2.
i love the freedom stalker will give.

ANeM · August 2004

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Surge @ Aug 7 2004, 04:41 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> It's not Oblivion Lost anymore...  </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> 
Though that was a better name..
or at least I thought it was =/

Zig · August 2004

<b>loading screens or streamless exploration?</b> streamless exploration, biaaaaaaaaaatch.

UltimaGecko · August 2004

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Zig @ Aug 8 2004, 02:42 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <b>loading screens or streamless exploration?</b> streamless exploration, biaaaaaaaaaatch.  </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> 
Pretty sure it's streamless...well riverless- anyway. Last I heard they didn't plan on letting you swim in the radioactive water.

[I think <i>seamless</i> is the word you're looking for...]

Zig · August 2004

onoes, i meant to say seamless + streaming load.. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif' />

/me beats self

funbags · August 2004

sorry guys, its has about 8 seems. Read the entire FAQ on the stalker website...I did. it wont **** me off that much...

Unlike Doom 3, STALKER will have some focus on multiplayer, so I'm essited.

Zig · August 2004

eight what?

username · August 2004

i never gave this much notice, but i finally watched the videos and wooooooooooow! <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wow.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wow.gif' />

STALKER > HL2 > DOOM3

<img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wow.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wow.gif' />

Zig · August 2004

damn straight <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' />

eediot · August 2004

HL2 > UT2k4 > Stalker > Doom3

Doom3 is just fancy graphics and a few scares [I want to minimise this <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' />]

Stalker just seems too bland, barren, and lacking on proper content.

UT2k4 isn't my style of gameplay, however it does have a few good mods, and is worth getting.

HL2 is better in all areas that I care about. Good story and singleplayer, it involves YOU a lot more, good weapons, good enemies and AI, it looks nice, the physics are actually USED in the game and would be fun to play around with, it has excellent mod capabilities and expectations. And you are pretty much guaranteed a variety of playing experiences within the singleplayer itself.

^ Sorry, that's the only "this is what i think of the games, so shut up my word is law" i'm going to do.. because i hate it when people pull unjustified crap out of their rectums, and and.. sorry <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' />

Back on topic.. stalker:

graphically, it looks like a sort of... ghost recon type thing. the monsters dont seem too pretty, they don't seem scary, and they don't seem smart or effective in the least. the story seems very lacking, the combat looks poor [somebody who can actually hit stuff [and you know that's going to be everyone] will totally decimate any and all opponents] and the AI, as well as combat AI, seems poor. yes, i've watched the video, and i'm not impressed much. i don't understand what all the hype is about.. but i'm not trying to bring down your expectations or stalker experience, nor am i trying to tell you how it is or how you should feel.. that's just my take on the matter <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' />

Rellix · August 2004

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (eediot @ Aug 8 2004, 10:19 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Stalker just seems too bland, barren, and lacking on proper content.

HL2 is better in all areas that I care about. Good story and singleplayer, it involves YOU a lot more, good weapons, good enemies and AI, it looks nice, the physics are actually USED in the game and would be fun to play around with, it has excellent mod capabilities and expectations. And you are pretty much guaranteed a variety of playing experiences within the singleplayer itself.

Back on topic.. stalker:

graphically, it looks like a sort of... ghost recon type thing. the monsters dont seem too pretty, they don't seem scary, and they don't seem smart or effective in the least. the story seems very lacking, the combat looks poor [somebody who can actually hit stuff [and you know that's going to be everyone] will totally decimate any and all opponents] and the AI, as well as combat AI, seems poor. yes, i've watched the video, and i'm not impressed much. i don't understand what all the hype is about.. but i'm not trying to bring down your expectations or stalker experience, nor am i trying to tell you how it is or how you should feel.. that's just my take on the matter <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' />  </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> 
Stalker has a story thats been kept hidden, the graphics are on par with HL2 from the look of the last video (the only one using DX9), the physics are used in Stalker if you watched the videos he trys to crush someone with a giant metal crate thingy. The AI for the animals makes them act like animals, as for the humans they used cover and moved to support eaach other while the other reloaded (we have yet to see this in HL2). Lets face it Stalker is on par with HL2 from what wev seen from both games the only possible edge is that HL2 has a couple of better reflective textures. However Stalker will have a lot of replayability since you can go where and do what you want whenever you want.

eediot · August 2004

Don't try and spout that stuff at me.. you watched the same stuff i did, and i saw it a whole lot differently.

story - so it's hidden. ok. not much to say about that, but it'd have to be insanely good to stay on par with halflife (1+2).
graphics - definitely not on par with hl2 in my opinion. not on the creatures, not on the players, not on the environment. i called it ghost recon type graphics, and i stick by it.. i'd expect more from all the hype. to be fair to myself, im not a graphics man in that sense - id rather a good game over graphics.
physics - i only noticed one time the physics were used [except in the vehicle], and that was blatantly a set up. it doesnt seem to be intergrated into the whole game and environment as halflife 2 [appears to be].
AI - no, no no. this is sort of grouped into the combat AI as well. the creatures run around like stupid strafing meteorites on an orbit around you, swooping around like fish on a hook, and they dont turn realistically.. the AI for the soldiers/stalkers [friendly and unfriendly] wasnt anything to write home about.. it seems the AI takes precedent over the movement, and as such the creatures/soldiers run around awkwardly, sort of gliding around like crappy bots in CS where 5 of them are stuck between doorways. they werent smart. sure they tried to stick to a few principles [shoot while your partner reloads, covering fire] but the models, animations, and style is so uncomfortable and forced that it just isnt realistic or even applicable at all.
replayability - maybe. there's not enough information about that. yes, HL2 shows to be a more linear game, but with the amount of different experiences sure to be offered in the game, it will probably encourage a lot of replayability and experimentation itself. the multiplayer and mod scene certainly factor in powerfully.

in the end, no, i don't have to "face" anything, those are my opinions. note how in my rant [oh god i hope it doesnt turn out to be a huge chunk of unorganised text.. eep], that i didnt try and force anything on you? yeah.. its not an argument, its a discussion, im not trying to convert you. also, i wasnt just comparing stalker to hl2 [hl2 won <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' />]. stalker compared to hl2, stalker compared to my expectations from the hype, stalker compared to my expectations from a game, and what i know of stalker just evaluated. and im not impressed.

jumpingjoda · August 2004

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>you can go where and do what you want whenever you want.</td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'>
How manny times i have heard that sentence... Example: Black&White, probably the game i expected the most from. "You are god, you can do everything(!), if you want to be bad, burn down those villagers!" well that would be awesome but, the truth is, you were a slave. The dumb villagers were too dumb to grow their own weed, so you had to use your godly powers to not let them starve, most of the time. Oh and burning your villagers will make your power shrink, what follows is game over.

Woosh now that was off topic.

Zig · August 2004

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (eediot @ Aug 8 2004, 02:53 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> story - so it's hidden. ok. not much to say about that, but it'd have to be insanely good to stay on par with halflife (1+2). </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'>
gonna have to disagree here.. the HL1 story didn't exactly have me creaming my jeans <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif' />
</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>graphics - definitely not on par with hl2 in my opinion. not on the creatures, not on the players, not on the environment. i called it ghost recon type graphics, and i stick by it.. i'd expect more from all the hype. to be fair to myself, im not a graphics man in that sense - id rather a good game over graphics.</td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'>
you must be watching a different video.. stalker has excellent bumpmapping and modelling.. the interiors of buildings are tastier than doom3's or HL2's, from what i've seen. as for the wasteland outside the buildings, sheeit. a field full of waving wildgrass/weeds with dogs jumping around and insects flying, changing color and shade as clouds cross the sun.. <b>ALL RENDERED AND MODELLED VERY WELL and DYNAMICALLY LIT (oops HL2 doesn't have that <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wow.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wow.gif' />)</b> (i'll say again you must be looking at something different).. i don't see that in HL2. i just see bland square stuff and some cool character models.
</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>physics - i only noticed one time the physics were used [except in the vehicle], and that was blatantly a set up. it doesnt seem to be intergrated into the whole game and environment as halflife 2 [appears to be].</td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'>
no, it wasn't. go watch more videos, the physics in the game are terrific.. shoot cabinets and the doors will fall off their hinges, or maybe the cabinet falls down first.. shoot a lamp hanging from a cable, and the lamp falls, swinging.. grenades work as they're supposed to.. you know what looks like a blatant setup? HL2's "shoot a tower with a guy at the top, and, WOW, the tower falls down omj!!!" i'm really looking forward to doing plenty of those while walking along the designated path (like in the gameplay vids).. </sarcasm> medal of honor all over again.
</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>AI - no, no no. this is sort of grouped into the combat AI as well. the creatures run around like stupid strafing meteorites on an orbit around you, swooping around like fish on a hook, and they dont turn realistically.. the AI for the soldiers/stalkers [friendly and unfriendly] wasnt anything to write home about.. it seems the AI takes precedent over the movement, and as such the creatures/soldiers run around awkwardly, sort of gliding around like crappy bots in CS where 5 of them are stuck between doorways. they werent smart. sure they tried to stick to a few principles [shoot while your partner reloads, covering fire] but the models, animations, and style is so uncomfortable and forced that it just isnt realistic or even applicable at all.</td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'>
if they're exposed to fire, they take cover.
they keep moving while on the assault, never doing the ever-present AI "run and then stop and shoot".
if they take suppressive fire, they take cover and look for an alternate route.
they give suppressive fire where they THINK you are. no wallhacks.
they're sound-sensitive.
they make flanking and cutting maneuvers.
if they're outgunned, they retreat.

don't see any CS bot characteristics in there..

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>replayability - maybe. there's not enough information about that. yes, HL2 shows to be a more linear game, but with the amount of different experiences sure to be offered in the game, it will probably encourage a lot of replayability and experimentation itself. the multiplayer and mod scene certainly factor in powerfully.</td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'>

*shrug*

the only thing that tells me HL2 will have a huge following is the fact that it's hyped like the second coming of Christ.

Zig · August 2004

moreover, what i've seen of HL2 makes me vaguely nauseous. it's stuck in the gaming age of four years ago, where everyone shoots from the hip to show off their weapon models, where 20mm tracer rounds go at speeds slower than paintballs just so you can watch and ogle their mediocre fireball effect (the ODDEST bullet effect i have ever seen in a game <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif' />), where you can wear a magical suit of armor that protects you against exactly 100 points of damage on top of your 100 points of "life" because you don't have internal organs..

uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugh x_x

Paranoia2MB · August 2004

Is stalker Alpha, Beta or what now?

Anyways, here's the standard saying:
Don't judge an incomplete game. Wait til it's finished the say whatever.

I do agree though that the videos where lacking, but there are plenty of ingame shots to make up for the video. (my video quality was bad on it, bad footage)
The monster that I saw fight was kind of dumb, but it was just a test video so who cares.

And oh ya, biggest turn on for me about Stalker. Is that it's mp focus is mainly Co-op...(I believe)

eediot · August 2004

None of the points we've brought up can be debated much from an impartial viewpoint - they're almost exactly the same things, but from a different perspective. So I guess, let's just leave it at that. But if I hear you bashing Hl2 again... <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif' />

<img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' />

Also, since there are only 121 stalkers, won't they die fast? The 4 part video(s) shows a fair amount of other stalkers dying.. surely they're not supposed to last the entire game, and be that easy to kill? Sure, "killing them has consequences" but they seem unreasonably easy to kill from the videos [if you're even half-way competent with a weapon]... you could easily off 30 of them and not go out of your way trying, just shooting them when you meet them and that's not being overly aggressive. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' />

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