S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Series Megathread: Maybe someday mods releasing edition
3,237 replies, posted
I will also say that as big a fan of Stalker as I am, I've seen a lot of (imho undeserved) praise for 'just how alive' the games are on PC gaming news sites - bearing in mind just how much of what feels like a living game (especially at the start of SoC) is pre-scripted.
A lot of hard work from modders from AMK to CoC (and many others I haven't mentioned) have given NPCs a lot more autonomy and freedom, but we're still only scratching the surface of both the original design docs and some peoples perceptions
[QUOTE=Etcetera;52926382]I will also say that as big a fan of Stalker as I am, I've seen a lot of (imho undeserved) praise for 'just how alive' the games are on PC gaming news sites - bearing in mind just how much of what feels like a living game (especially at the start of SoC) is pre-scripted.
A lot of hard work from modders from AMK to CoC (and many others I haven't mentioned) have given NPCs a lot more autonomy and freedom, but we're still only scratching the surface of both the original design docs and some peoples perceptions[/QUOTE]
Yeah, I agree to a point. Though the game still feels more alive than a lot of other RPGs and FPSes for sure. The offline a-life system especially is really unique, even if it just meant finding NPCs face-down and dead in campfires most of the time :v:
That quote that people like to cite about the 'NPCs completing the main quest' is a load of shit, too.
The AI was never truthfully that much more advanced than it is now, though it is certainly more locked down now and did lose some functionality.
[editline]27th November 2017[/editline]
Man, I wanna play STALKER again...
Anyone have any mod recommendations that give a fresh feel to things? I'm tired of CoC and the mainline series. Give me something weird (that isn't Soup)
[QUOTE=Etcetera;52926382]I will also say that as big a fan of Stalker as I am, I've seen a lot of (imho undeserved) praise for 'just how alive' the games are on PC gaming news sites - bearing in mind just how much of what feels like a living game (especially at the start of SoC) is pre-scripted.
A lot of hard work from modders from AMK to CoC (and many others I haven't mentioned) have given NPCs a lot more autonomy and freedom, but we're still only scratching the surface of both the original design docs and some peoples perceptions[/QUOTE]
Sure, but you also need to consider that a game experience goes beyond just what's technically there. If Stalker feels like it is alive, even if that is based more in a subjective personal experience than an objective mechanic, then is that not still valid? I mean, if the game does constantly get praised for how alive it is, then that must mean that a lot of people have had that experience. Just because the game on a technical level isn't truly all that dynamic, you can still praise the game for how it feels, not what the game looks like under the hood.
Yeah, to me it's kinda like how people say "well, you see FEAR's AI is not smart, it's actually really dumb, it just appears smart"
Like, yeah, that's the whole point. It's supposed to make you feel like it's smart while you play - if your AI is piss dumb but your level design makes it appear smart, the underlying code doesn't really matter because everyone feels like they are fighting smart AI.
Like for instance, looting corpses - mods that enable it aren't really making the AI smarter - it's literally just - if i find a corpse in x radius, loot it - it's something really simple to make in terms of game logic. But if you set up the distance properly, the result is roaming squads travel to unlooted corpses - which makes it [B]feel[/B] like because you got into a firefight you attracted a different squad to investigate.
[QUOTE=Bloodshot12;52927115]the underlying code doesn't really matter[/QUOTE]
It matters once you've played the game multiple times and how static most of it is becomes apparent. Not that you have to be some 1000-hour autist to have a valid opinion about Stalker, but there is more to a good system than just working once.
It's hard to believe that the English speaking stalker community still doesn't have a better place than the gsc fourms for modding which is absolutely dreadful... reading [url]http://ap-pro.ru/[/url] in google translate is easier.
[QUOTE=TKGP;52927284]It matters once you've played the game multiple times and how static most of it is becomes apparent. Not that you have to be some 1000-hour autist to have a valid opinion about Stalker, but there is more to a good system than just working once.[/QUOTE]
let's be honest here, the vast majority of people don't play singleplayer games more than once or twice. hell, most people don't even get halfway through the games they buy as proven by steam achievement tracking. trying to make a system complex enough that you don't begin to see patterns after even 200 hours is a waste of time and rather unrealistic to expect from developers.
[QUOTE=TKGP;52927284]It matters once you've played the game multiple times and how static most of it is becomes apparent. Not that you have to be some 1000-hour autist to have a valid opinion about Stalker, but there is more to a good system than just working once.[/QUOTE]
I don't mean to say it doesn't matter at all, but rather if it accomplishes what it sets out to do, it doesn't matter how simple or complex the actual code is. I've played STALKER way more than I have a lot of games, and the AI manages to surprise me still, which is more than I can say for most games.
[QUOTE=Lyokanthrope;52926401]Anyone have any mod recommendations that give a fresh feel to things? I'm tired of CoC and the mainline series. Give me something weird (that isn't Soup)[/QUOTE]
I think you might've played this one already but if not,
OGSE latest build with all patches and fixes. It's been my favorite stalking experience next to vanilla and CoC.
[QUOTE=Furioso;52928159]I think you might've played this one already but if not,
OGSE latest build with all patches and fixes. It's been my favorite stalking experience next to vanilla and CoC.[/QUOTE]
Nah, OGSE isn't weird enough. I'm just so tired of the same old maps...
[QUOTE=Lyokanthrope;52928314]OGSE isn't weird enough.[/QUOTE]
[URL="http://ap-pro.ru/forum/36-10431-1"]Reach + Slenderman[/URL]
You asked for it.
[img]http://puu.sh/yuWYS/e66a6ecdd8.jpg[/img]
[QUOTE=TKGP;52927284]It matters once you've played the game multiple times and how static most of it is becomes apparent. Not that you have to be some 1000-hour autist to have a valid opinion about Stalker[/QUOTE] did someone mention Tejas
Honestly as I mentioned that before, NPC AI in stalker is not really that great, and you dont really need to spend 1000 hours to notice that. NPC actually do just 4 things in game: Sit near camp, walk without a reason, loot corpses and go to combat mode, that beside sneaking is not really that good compared to other games.
But in the same time Stalker have one of best animal AI, we have packs, we have fight between each of them, they run away if they are alone. They have nesting areas and there is proper hierarchy so its not like everyone killing everyone.
Again as I said few pages back, Stalker lack those small animations and events to make it more alive and less static and repetitive, and as far as I see, should not be that hard to do(read: it it hard but possible). Random sits on boxes/road barriers to take a smoke so they just not walk without a reason. random hunts events where stalkers go to some place kill mutants, fist fights where they drink and hit each other until one is on the ground, or proper artifacts search, because guess what? Thats why they are there, for artifacts, so there should be more stalkers walking near anomalies with detectors, more animations for that, even some accident where stalker die in such anomaly.
As for combat its damn hard to put solid opinion for it because in one mod AI is amazing in sneaking behind you but if you notice them they just... stand for second before they start shooting(all they need is Metal Gear Solid icon ! over their head and that sound that they notice something) In other mod AI have faster reaction but they are dump and just stand in the middle sometimes you can shoot their friend 2m from them and they dont care that their bodies lie on fireplace, and in other they throw nades like it was sand in desert... And default SOC/CS/COP AI? Its really mixed bag, dumped down in every way. Especially in COP where no one actually shoot at you beside zombies and monolith and you literally just walk like AI from one point to another... That is one of reason why Stalker NEED dynamic faction wars/warfare as default. It not only make game more realistic but it also give some nice gameplay changes, where you doing mission and... bum, you can go to one place because enemy faction is there. CS was a bit broken so you could not get good experience from that, but just imagine proper warfare in default CoP or SoC... that would be neat.
But can we really help fixing that?
[IMG]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/374144362189422594/382089415868153876/FB_IMG_1511167604110.jpg[/IMG]
[t]https://i.imgur.com/vXli2pY.jpg[/t]
installed CoC after a long hiatus, gets pretty comfy at times (and these NPC models are cool as shit)
Anyone got a recommendation on what to install with CoC to make it interesting?
[QUOTE=DigitalySane;52934202]Anyone got a recommendation on what to install with CoC to make it interesting?[/QUOTE]
Try maybe this: [URL="http://www.moddb.com/mods/call-of-chernobyl/addons/lost-to-the-zone-coc-15r6"]Lost to the Zone[/URL]
With this addon for it: [URL="http://www.moddb.com/mods/call-of-chernobyl/addons/lost-to-the-zone-living-legend-coc-15"]Lost to the Zone: Living Legend[/URL]
And of course you can play with warfare and play as leader that need to conquer the zone:
[URL="http://www.moddb.com/mods/call-of-chernobyl/addons/warfare"]warfare[/URL]
You can always pick random mods from addon section in moddb, most of them are compatible with each other, you just need to check readme files.
[t]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/335172502298951680/384861970307874836/xrEngine_2017-11-28_00-27-41-31.png[/t][t]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/335172502298951680/384862142303698965/xrEngine_2017-11-28_01-00-50-43.png[/t]
DonKnotts texture work is outstanding. I wasn't paying much attention to any of these surfaces until I crept past them and noticed the quality. He really upped the bar with some of his work.
The metal looks too shiny for something old.
[QUOTE=download;52934700]The metal looks too shiny for something old.[/QUOTE]
Not really, old metal can shine well enough even if rusted and pitted, which this seems mostly just pitted, especially under lighting like that. Also consider that they're in a swamp full of moisture and slime, so that'll for sure add to it.
Looks like LoNer1 is missing some textures. It should look like this.
[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/BE5ShVt.jpg[/IMG]
[QUOTE=DeVotchKa;52934722]Not really, old metal can shine well enough even if rusted and pitted, which this seems mostly just pitted, especially under lighting like that. Also consider that they're in a swamp full of moisture and slime, so that'll for sure add to it.[/QUOTE]
It should be rusty like every other piece of metal there. It's not going to stay corrosion free while the rest is rust red.
[QUOTE=download;52934762]It should be rusty like every other piece of metal there. It's not going to stay corrosion free while the rest is rust red.[/QUOTE]
Well, no, you're right, but the inside of the Skadovsk for the most part isn't as rusty as the outside. It's also their home, they would take some steps to maintain the worst of the rust. It makes sense to me, but all in all it isn't the most important detail, no?
[QUOTE=DeVotchKa;52934779]Well, no, you're right, but the inside of the Skadovsk for the most part isn't as rusty as the outside. It's also their home, they would take some steps to maintain the worst of the rust. It makes sense to me, but all in all it isn't the most important detail, no?[/QUOTE]
Man, the skadovsk had likely been sitting there for a couple decades. Remember that Zaton and etc only became inhabited after Strelok disabled the Scorcher - CoP only takes place a couple months after SoC begins.
[QUOTE=DeVotchKa;52934779]Well, no, you're right, but the inside of the Skadovsk for the most part isn't as rusty as the outside. It's also their home, they would take some steps to maintain the worst of the rust. It makes sense to me, but all in all it isn't the most important detail, no?[/QUOTE]
As far as I know treating rust on that scale usually involves sandblasters then putting a primer and painting over it. A second option is putting some sort of chemical compound that bonds with it and makes it inactive before you paint/seal it.
Doesn't sound feasible to me.
Rust isn't shiny either, even if it's wet or moist.
[QUOTE=DonKnotts;52934759]Looks like LoNer1 is missing some textures. It should look like this.
[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/BE5ShVt.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE]
That plate in the middle look a bit.. fake.
Its lack that bump effect so its look like that line is drawn on the surface.
[QUOTE=DeVotchKa;52934779]Well, no, you're right, but the inside of the Skadovsk for the most part isn't as rusty as the outside. It's also their home, they would take some steps to maintain the worst of the rust. It makes sense to me, but all in all it isn't the most important detail, no?[/QUOTE]
And how would you "maintain" old shipwreck covered with rust? Especially taking in to the account that there is no shop where you can buy chemical solvents to remove it or paint to cover, and I dont think that Stalkers cary with them wire brushes and sandpapers :P
Also I cant really imagine Stalkers spending time days removing rust from ship using wire brushes :D
I haven't played CoC since it was first released. Has it evolved very much?
[QUOTE=Conscript;52935352]I haven't played CoC since it was first released. Has it evolved very much?[/QUOTE]
In terms on fundamental game-play, no.
In terms of interesting extra content and QoL improvements, yes. I'd say it's worth another playthrough.
[QUOTE=Lyokanthrope;52926401]
Anyone have any mod recommendations that give a fresh feel to things? I'm tired of CoC and the mainline series. Give me something weird (that isn't Soup)[/QUOTE]
NCL mods for ShoC. Very hard with a lot of new things, not for faint of heart. Some people say it's harder than Misery, which is right but at the same time - it does not have bullshit in it. Can't reach northern parts of the Zone without trashbag/radsuit. There is a ton of details and mechanics that you need to take into account, like cracks on gasmask or radsuit helmet is dangerous or even deadly if you wander for too long or cracks get bigger. Oh and NPCs can finish your quests before you, taking reward with them.
Reborn? Sure, earlier version are slav-level of nuttery but Doppelganger 763 (latest translated version of Reborn) have less weird stuff.
PS. even though people hate Soup for difficulty and bullshit mixed with slav magic - NS2016 is still worth a shot.
[QUOTE=Conscript;52935352]I haven't played CoC since it was first released. Has it evolved very much?[/QUOTE]
not much.
On the other hand there is Call of Misery which have more versions (Echo of Misery, A.R.E.A. and Last Day, might be more but forgot them) that get more upgrades, updates and addons with higher frequency than CoCh.
BTW. @TKGP any chance you update New Arsenal's English translation for v4.4?
Where can I see more of DonKnotts' stuff?
[QUOTE=EdmundBA;52935581]
not much.
On the other hand there is Call of Misery which have more versions (Echo of Misery, A.R.E.A. and Last Day, might be more but forgot them) that get more upgrades, updates and addons with higher frequency than CoCh.
BTW. @TKGP any chance you update New Arsenal's English translation for v4.4?[/QUOTE]
I saw the hardcore mods like misery. I'm more interested in faction control and conflict though, I'm trying warfare and dynamic faction relations together right now. It doesn't seem to be anything beyond squad control and changing alliances. I recall clear sky actually having a resource system
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S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Series Megathread: Maybe someday mods releasing edition
