Free STALKER:SoC, Early release build, all levels + extras, LEGAL!!

I came across this and I figure I'd pass it along.


http://clanbase.ggl.com/news.php?nid=311993


TEXT:

Due to popular demand, GSC Game World has released an old version of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl - 'xrCore' build 1935, Oct 18 2004.

Originally announced in November 2001 for a 2003 release, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl (or S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Oblivion Lost as it was known then) was renowned for its long development cycle and frequent delays.

Whilst in development, numerous video clips and hundreds of screenshots were circulated showcasing the game's X-ray graphics engine which featured HDR rendering, parallax and normal mapping, soft shadows, motion blur, widescreen support, weather effects and day/night cycles.

The game was also hailed for its proprietary ALife artificial intelligence engine, where NPCs would accomplish tasks, combat, rest, feed and sleep. The non-scripted and innovative nature of the characters meant that there were an unlimited number of random quests.

However, when S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl was finally released in March 2007, much of what was promised had been cut or changed, such as using vehicles, monsters and many of the role-playing elements.

Now GSC Game World has released a build from 2004 which utilised a completely different physics engine than the one used in the final retail version. This build is fully playable and contains all of the original levels as well as those that were cut such as Dead City, Swamp and Generators.

This version is not so much a demo or mod, but more of an insight into the game's development. Curious fans of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. will find this both fascinating and intriguing although may wonder why some elements were removed from the retail release.

GSC Game World have issued a disclaimer where they cannot guarantee stability, so bugs and crashes will occur. They have also said that they will not provide technical assistance.

 

GSC Game World have issued a disclaimer where they cannot guarantee stability, so bugs and crashes will occur. They have also said that they will not provide technical assistance.

Seriously, this will be the case. I have no doubt there will be a lot of game breaking bugs and technical issues... I mean, it's a GSC game that was never even completed

I may check it out.. cool find!

 

i thought the non free one is already buggy as hell?

 

It is

But I can forgive them, I know the actual game is buggy as **** (it screwed me over a couple days ago HARDCORE!) yet for some reason I feel I shouldn't berate them because of it. STALKER to me is just a compelling game even if it always isn't the most excellent game out there. It was a really ambitious game and in many ways succeeds so well at it despite the insane difficulty and bugs.

 

This is just an early build of Stalker, has some cut map areas in it though including Dead City and vehicles are still in this build.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU3BRnLfPP0

excellent flyby