Talk:S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl

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[edit] Engine

The section on the X-Ray engine is obviously very out of date... It's far from next-gen these days, and "on-par with Half-Life 2" isn't really something to brag about for a 2007 title... But if I remove all this, the "Engine" section is pretty much empty. Can someone with a more detailed knowledge of the engine flesh this out a bit? --203.206.183.160 02:24, 7 July 2006 (UTC)
- Agreed. --seifip 14:14, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
  - The official site contains a page devoted to describing the engine (http://www.stalker-game.com/en/?page=engine) however a copy and paste would be obscene. Could it be a good idea to highlight some of the particular features such as their lighting system which seems to develop a much more realistic set of shadows than other games (torch lights overlapping to some effect rather than a binary effected by torch / not effected by torch was one thing I noted in a trailer).

[edit] _

This game sounds like it was originally inspired by Andrei Tarkovsky's movie Stalker. — JIP | Talk 13:23, 5 Apr 2005 (UTC)
- Not really... It is based Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky. The movie is based on the same novel... --seifip 14:11, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] VfD/VfU

For a July 2005 deletion debate,see Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl 3
For a 11 Apr 2005 deletion debate, see Wikipedia:Votes for deletion/S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl 2
For a December 2004 deletion debate see Wikipedia:Votes for deletion/S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl

[edit] obsolete notice

NOTICE This page has been temporarily restored to allow participants in the its Votes for undeletion discussion to review the page history. Please do not remove this notice until the discussion has been concluded.[[User:Dpbsmith|Dpbsmith (talk) 12:43, 7 Nov 2004 (UTC)

(Above notice is obsolete. It referred to the article page itself. It never referred to this page; it was moved here by a user who objected to it. Dpbsmith (talk) 20:14, 5 Apr 2005 (UTC))

[edit] original?

I used to play a game on my 486 called Stalker, and it had a strikingly similar story and plot. I can't find anything about the old game anymore though. Is it just a coincidence, or is Shadow of Chernobyl supposed to be some sort of sequel or remake? Can anyone verify or research this? I've turned up no luck.
- S.T.A.L.K.E.R. isn`t a remake or a part of a sequel. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. has original story and unique gameplay and as i know it is the only game based on Roadside Picnic for now... S.T.A.L.K.E.R. will be a part of a sequel because the development of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 was already confirmed... --seifip 14:20, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
  - I remember that old game. I've actually played it after I heard of S.T.A.L.K.E.R., mainly due to the name. But i must agree, the story has a striking resemblance to the one of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. (all that i remember form the old game story is that you are a stalker, a person who infiltrates a dangerous area, named "the zone" in order to retrieve artifacts from there) I'll try to dig up the old game to see what more I can find.Kkmic 20:22, 14 January 2007 (UTC)
    - Unkown to you two, alot of media has taken inspiration from the novel Roadside Picnic, and eventually the movie Stalker. So I think that all of them aren't original. Skapunker1337 19:28, 31 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] leaks

Should I mention that the game was leaked several times?i saw some videos of the leaks on youtube.they showed the game in an early,buggy stage.i remember seeing a video of Oblivion Lost.That is an obviously old leak,but there also was a video of a multiplayer beta leak.so,should we at least mention that the game has leaked?

Full gold version has been leaked 19/3 and is already cracked.

[edit] preview review of the game

http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/stalker-shadow-of-chernobyl/747783p1.html

[edit] Expansions coming soon (with luck)

I suddenly realised that I'm sitting on a huge pile of PC Gamer UK. I just so happen to have all the issues with STALKER previews. So I should be able to make significant contributions. Stay tuned! UnaLaguna 20:55, 15 January 2007 (UTC)

I've become swamped in all sorts of other stuff, but I should at least be able to clean up some of the sections so they sound less like an advert. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by UnaLaguna (talk • contribs) 06:17, 2 February 2007 (UTC).

[edit] I added the acronym meaning

scavanger tresspaser adventurer loner killer(i'm not sure about killer though) explorer and rebel, this was released some time ago by thq and may inform peeps who may be arguing about the meaning and look it up here.

[edit] Critical Reception

PC Gamer UK, issue 173. Previous issues of the mag claimed that it would be an "exclusive review", so the lack of a critical reception section on this article solidifies that claim. Once a few more reviews have been written we should put everything relevant in the present tense rather than the future (indeed, there's an argument for doing that now) and will hopefully have enough material to make a big, "proper" critical reception section. Citations for such a section should be easy to get.

Other commitments prevent me from starting on this work :( UnaLaguna 17:50, 17 March 2007 (UTC)

Added a little tid info on reviews, dunno how to cite sources. Hope it helps. Skapunker1337 04:04, 20 March 2007 (UTC)

Could whoever tagged the section with uncited explain why so we can work to get it removed - there are now three cited reviews from notable sources and I also edited the section for NPOV and readability. Harmonica 00:23, 21 March 2007 (UTC)

Aye, and maybe some quotes and paraphrases aswell to give a little more credibility? Skapunker1337 04:42, 21 March 2007 (UTC)

Also, to add a NPOV and please the pleabs, maybe include one negative review? Skapunker1337 19:25, 22 March 2007 (UTC)

Adding a new bit to critical reception on patch that was just released and how it's supposed to cure most of the problems. Don't know how to cite, so if someone can add the tag, I'd be thankful. Skapunker1337 19:45, 29 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Easter eggs

Half-Life 2 http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/8300/sskamel032007042241l05bwx0.jpg —The preceding unsigned comment was added by BJS2 (talk • contribs) 10:36, 20 March 2007 (UTC).

Additionally, here is a related Easter Egg! http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/766/24bb1d569b41097d3ce242cod4.jpg Credit Clitch SA Forums. Harmonica 00:20, 21 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Release

The game has been released [1](Russian). DFighter100 15:55, 20 March 2007 (UTC) Yes, the game is being sold in Ukraine from 20 of March. I think someone should add this to main page (I'm not sure I'm smart enough) 77.123.58.117 19:21, 21 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Regarding Release

Stop including it in the article. It's already mentioned in the menu on the right.

[edit] "RPG/FPS"?

The article claims the game is an "RPG/FPS" hybrid, then proceeds to say that the game has no RPG elements like leveling-up or experience points; the "RPG" aspect comes from character interaction and the like. That's not an RPG; that's an adventure game. RPG minus character stats equals adventure game. Is this yet another example of so few people having playing real adventures like the old Sierra and LucasArts classics that they now think a game with a storyline must be an RPG? 71.146.1.170 04:04, 25 March 2007 (UTC)

The RPG elements that make it an RPG include the following. Weapon upgrades including scopes and grenade launchers, different armors with different stats such as radiation protection. Special items throughout the world that have increased stats on standard weapons. Artifacts collected from the game world have a number of effects such as bulletproofing and burn resistance and can be used on the player's belt in a large number of combinations in order to protect the player at the cost of other attributes and can be swapped out at any time. Objects give stats buffs such as drinks which can increase stamina or decrease radiation for a given time or amount. Just because there aren't player "levels" doesn't mean it isn't an RPG albeit a shallow one. nutcrackr 10:06, 25 March 2007 (UTC)

Yes it is. It's Action/RPG. Elk Salmon 11:46, 26 March 2007 (UTC)

I think it's definitely got some RPG elements.

[edit] Screenshots?

Some screenshots would be a nice addition. --84.178.68.193 07:14, 27 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Story

Someone should probably put together a story section, seeing as there IS one. With appropriate spoiler markers, of course. I'd write it, but I'm not entirely sure on the story myself. dethtoll 17:11, 27 March 2007 (UTC)dethtoll

[edit] Starforce?

Anyone know if the game has Starforce? I've not been able to discover for sure. Seems that the Russian version does, but the rest of them... I think it would be worth mentioning in the article. Aristoi 18:51, 27 March 2007 (UTC)

The Russian version does, all others use Securom. 71.175.130.181 20:22, 27 March 2007 (UTC)

Thanks! Aristoi 17:01, 30 March 2007 (UTC)

Only problem is there are 7 endings(2 "true", 5 "false")Fswiergul 22:47, 28 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Cleanup Needed

Alright, looking at this article it has a nice set of information on it. However, I believe it could use some cleaning. Some ideas to make it more presentable and easy to the eyes:

Either a stub or a full fledged article on just the X-Ray Engine, as I don't see why it needs to be featured so dominently.
Removal of "decoration" pictures and posting of gameplay/intergral pictures.
Expanded critical reception and trivia.

expanding the trivia is not necessarily a good cleanup idea. see Wikipedia:Avoid_trivia_sections_in_articles 82.39.211.80 01:56, 2 April 2007 (UTC)

Better language and wording on Development

Hope you guys understand what I mean. Looking for insight first.Skapunker1337 19:52, 29 March 2007 (UTC)

I like the changes so far, I'll try and help a little myself. So other things I think we could usher in as well:

Expanded Gameplay/Mechanics section
Story Section (sumerizing the plot with/without spoilers)
At least another pic of gameplay that is relevent.

Nice job. Skapunker1337 19:15, 31 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Strelok

"Strelok" (Стрелок) means "shooter" (gunner), not "archer" or "sniper"

[edit] Sun rising in the west

It was clear to me, after an NPC used compass directions, that the in-game map is not on the normal north-south alignment i.e. Chernobyl is actually in the southern end of the map. This is reflects the real location of Prypiat northwest of Chernobyl NPP.

[edit] Factions List?

I'd like to see one and I'd write one but im too tired. I recommend using the SE survival guide for references. 60.241.114.119 12:46, 2 April 2007 (UTC)

A list isn't necessary; the factions don't have a significant role in the game. A paragraph outlining the factions and their purpose is sufficient. --Scottie_theNerd 13:21, 2 April 2007 (UTC)

A linked seperate page would be good. 60.241.114.119 08:44, 4 April 2007 (UTC)

Unlikely. The subject is not notable enough to have its own article. --Scottie_theNerd 09:58, 4 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Anti-aliasing

In this game you have to choose between the DirectX 9 renderer, which has an awesome lighting model, and the DirectX 8 renderer, which supports anti-aliasing. This is a pretty big shortcoming (AA has been standard for how many years now?) and deserves to be mentioned in critical reception. I added this this morning but it's been reverted. What's the deal? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 64.20.237.230 (talk) 14:32, 3 April 2007 (UTC).

The link you cited isn't a review of a game, nor is it particularly critical of the engine's inability to do antialising. Your claim that antialiasing is a standard feature in games is personal opinion, therefore not encyclopedic. The whole issue is barely worth mentioning. That's why I reverted it. --Pkaulf 15:13, 3 April 2007 (UTC)

Um, but antialiasing is a standard, supported feature in most games. That's not an opinion. I don't see why it shouldn't be mentioned, it's a valid complaint. We don't want a biased article.

Enfestid 17:05, 3 April 2007 (UTC)

Antialiasing support is already covered adequately in the "Technology" section. Claims such as "AA is a standard feature!" are NPOV and contribute nothing to the article. It may be a valid complaint, but Wikipedia isn't the place for users to be putting their tuppence worth in. So if you feel it merits being complained about, then please locate some criticism about the AA from a notable source. --Pkaulf 18:11, 3 April 2007 (UTC)

You're right, it is an opinion that AA is a "standard" feature of 3D games. Although I'm pretty sure that 9.9 out of 10 gamers you ask about it have the same opinion. So who defines what's standard? I can publish my own review of the game and link to that, would that satisfy the requirement? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 63.246.188.101 (talk) 23:14, 3 April 2007 (UTC).

No. --Pkaulf 00:53, 4 April 2007 (UTC)

So what would? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 63.246.188.101 (talk) 01:00, 4 April 2007 (UTC).

Pkaulf, not to sound rude, but it seems like you want no negative aspects of the game to be mentioned in the article judging from your edits and responses.

How is the game not having anything other than deferred AA not something that should be mentioned? It is something that I believe would be important for people to know. I'm sorry, but your logic of saying "AA is a standard feature" is absolutely absurd. For one, the context in which you have written that is completely different than merely mentioning that actual AA is not supported, something that is supported in most games.

Criticisms don't have to be from a "notable source" to be featured in Wikipedia last time I checked. Articles shouldn't be opinionated in nature, but I fail to see how mentioning that the game does not support the standard form of AA that most games support is "NPOV." It's not. And you can cite sources that are opinionated in nature, they don't just have to be "notable."

I'm sorry, but where do you find this in the Wikipedia guidelines? I've been looking and can't find it.

Enfestid 04:29, 4 April 2007 (UTC)

OK, you're really confused. I'm not saying it shouldn't be mentioned! Where are you getting this from? Like I said before, the engine's antialiasing support is already explained perfectly clearly - without any bias - in the technology section! There is nothing else to say! Apparently 99% of people think AA is a standard feature in 3D games so surely it goes without saying? --Pkaulf 10:17, 4 April 2007 (UTC)

Also, just to clarify here, I'm not the one who wants to put "AA is a standard feature" on the article. The irony here is that deferred rendering is going be ubiquitous with almost every high-end 3D engine, so we're not gonna be seeing much MSAA in future, at least until DX10 is fully adopted. --Pkaulf 10:32, 4 April 2007 (UTC)

What do you base this statement on? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 64.20.237.230 (talk) 19:43, 4 April 2007 (UTC).

Check this out: http://ati.amd.com/developer/siggraph06/Wenzel-Real-time_Atmospheric_Effects_in_Games.pdf - slideshow from SIGGRAPH 2006 given by Carsten Wenzel of Crytek which specifically states that CryEngine2 uses "traditional rendering style" and that deferred shading is not a requirement (slide 7). It also states that supporting MSAA with deferred shading is "tricky" (slide 10), but doesn't rule it out. So I think that we should remove CryEngine2 from the sentence in the Engine paragraph talking about other engines using deferred shading. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 64.20.237.230 (talk) 21:01, 4 April 2007 (UTC).

Any perspective on the game - positive or negative - must come from a reliable source. I'm not sure what this anti-aliasing argument is about though. Yes, most games do feature AA, but I believe the point being made here is that there is no source that states that AA is indeed standard, and that claiming such is original research rather than breaching NPOV. Anyway, I don't see any reason not to mention that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. lacks anti-aliasing. --Scottie_theNerd 08:02, 4 April 2007 (UTC)

Pkaulf: I am unsure why you keep removing my edit. It is not opinionated in nature in any way, it merely mentions a limitation of the engine. I don't claim that it's a "standard" feature in other games. Why do you keep insisting that any negative information not be in the article? It's not a NPOV statement, it's just a statement giving information.

I love the game as much as anyone, but the information should be noted. The source you cited did NOT state what you claimed it did -- it only said AA wasn't available in the game. So please, do not tell me my source is wrong for no reason when the source you're citing doesn't even claim what you're stating.

If the way I wrote it is incorrect according to the source, then by all means edit it to fix it. I don't want incorrect information in the article either.

Enfestid 18:24, 4 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Article tense problem, other problems

(Sorry if this comes out wrong, I am a wiki noob) I have some points about the article; much of it seems to be writted in the future tense for obvious reasons (the game wasn't out). Someone's gonna have to sort it all out but I'm too tired. Secondly, Duty is rather wrongly portrayed in the introduction. Duty is an organisation that seeks to contain and perhaps destroy the Zone. They cooperate with the military and fight Freedom (whose philosophy I myself find harder to interpret as different individuals in the organisation have different opinions; I find that the common-held one is that people need to learn about the zone and it can benefit mankind). Thirdly, does anyone know why the Ukranian military in this game have access to Spez Naz? Henners91 00:10, 5 April 2007 (UTC)

Yeah, there are a few problems with the article. When I get more time I'll look into editing it further.

Enfestid 00:39, 5 April 2007 (UTC)

I imagine the Spetznaz are there for Russian interests rather than Ukrainian. --Scottie_theNerd 02:31, 5 April 2007 (UTC)

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