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Difference between revisions of "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl"

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{{ii}} Use the [http://www.stalker-game.com/en/?page=patches Multi-Patch] to replace the [[GameSpy]] master server. The Steam version is already patched.
 
{{ii}} Use the [http://www.stalker-game.com/en/?page=patches Multi-Patch] to replace the [[GameSpy]] master server. The Steam version is already patched.
 
{{++}} Large, dedicated modding community.<ref>[http://www.moddb.com/games/stalker/mods Mods - S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl Game - Mod DB]</ref>
 
{{++}} Large, dedicated modding community.<ref>[http://www.moddb.com/games/stalker/mods Mods - S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl Game - Mod DB]</ref>
{{++}} Retail CD-keys and some of the Steam keys are now redeemable on GOG.com using the [https://www.gog.com/reclaim reclaim page].
+
{{++}} Retail CD-keys are now redeemable on GOG.com or Steam using the [http://soc.stalker-game.com/?page=reclaim reclaim page].
  
 
'''General information'''
 
'''General information'''

Revision as of 16:45, 22 January 2017

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl cover
Developers
GSC Game World
Publishers
THQ
Engines
X-Ray Engine
Release dates
Windows March 20, 2007
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl guide on StrategyWiki
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl on Wikipedia

Warnings

GameSpy online services have been shut down (see Network for solutions).
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl 2007
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky 2008
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat 2009
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Lost Alpha (Unofficial) 2014
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl 2023

Key points

Installing ZRP is greatly recommended as it eliminates most bugs without modifying the game's experience.
Use the Multi-Patch to replace the GameSpy master server. The Steam version is already patched.
Large, dedicated modding community.[1]
Retail CD-keys are now redeemable on GOG.com or Steam using the reclaim page.

General information

Official website
The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Wiki
GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
GOG.com Support Page
Steam Community Discussions
Steam Users' Forums
Official forums
TweakGuides guide

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
Uses Tages, It has been disabled via patches.
Error: key type 'GOG' not recognised
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Amazon.com
DRM details are not known
Windows
GOG.com
DRM-free
Windows
Steam
Icon overlay.png
Some CD-keys listed in-game under Multiplayer can be redeemed on GOG.com.[2]
Windows

Essential improvements

Patches

v1.0005

This is the latest official patch for the game. It is best suited for Single Player.
Download patch

v1.0006

Although this is an official patch, it was recalled by the developers due to the extra bugs it caused. It should only be used to gain the optimal multiplayer experience from the game (most servers use v1.0006). Do NOT install this patch otherwise.
Download patch

v1.0004

Some mods only work with v1.0004. Only use this patch if those mods have no updated version that work with newer versions of the game.
Download patch

Unofficial v1.0008 Patch

Download patch

Downgrading from v.1006

A guide on how to downgrade a copy of the game to v.10005 or v1.0004 can be found in the GOG.com Community Discussions.

Skip intro videos

Instructions

Xetrill's Modified LuaJIT library

Users have reported increased performance, especially with script-heavy mods.
Instructions

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

Template:Game data/row
System Location
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/4500/pfx/[Note 1]
CD key, language and GameSpy ID are stored in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\GSC Game World\STALKER-SHOC

Save game data location

Template:Game data/row
System Location
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/4500/pfx/[Note 1]
You can modify the save game data location by editing fsgame.ltx in gamedata.

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy
Steam Cloud

Video settings

Basic video settings
Basic video settings
Advanced video settings (Vsync and 60 Hz frequency not visible)
Advanced video settings (Vsync and 60 Hz frequency not visible)

Template:Video settings

Field of view (FOV)

Instructions

Input settings

Controls menu
Controls menu

Template:Input settings

Audio settings

Audio menu
Audio menu

Template:Audio settings

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Some unimportant non-conversation speech is Russian.
French
German
Some unimportant non-conversation speech is Russian.
Italian
Polish
Russian
Spanish
Turkish
Ukrainian
An official Ukrainian patch is available here, can be installed over the Russian version of the game only.

Network

Multiplayer servers can optionally use BattlEye anti-cheat protection.

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
32
Online play
32 Use the Multi-Patch to replace the GameSpy master server.

Connection types

Ports

Protocol Port(s) and/or port range(s)
TCP 3783, 6515, 6667, 13139, 27900, 28900, 29900, 29901
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.

Issues fixed

"Unable to connect to master server" error

The GameSpy master server has been shut down; use the Multi-Patch.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 8, 9 Bound to the lighting renderer. Running the game in DirectX 9 mode is only possible with dynamic lighting enabled.
Shader Model support 1.x, 2, 3
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Physics Open Dynamics Engine
Audio OpenAL
Multiplayer GameSpy

Optimal settings

Lowering vision distance, lightning distance, and object quality to 50% improves the performance with little to no loss in graphical fidelity.
Reducing grass density may help reduce stuttering.

Remove head bob

Instructions

Enable FPS counter

Instructions

Shorter load times

Instructions

Glitchy shadows using widescreen resolutions

Instructions

Large Address Aware

Improves stability on systems with at least 3GB RAM by allowing the application to use more than 2GB RAM.

Modifications

The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series has garnered a dedicated following which includes a very active modding community, mostly in Russia, however translations are available for most of the popular mods. The best way to determine which type of mods you will enjoy is by first trying the vanilla game (with ZRP for bug fixes). Below are some basic recommendations.
Instructions

Notes

If the mod comes with an executable, you may need to point it manually to the correct installation folder. If it comes as a file package, extract and copy the mod's contents into your gamedata folder.
To patch your mod or to add new ones on top, overwrite and merge your installation's gamedata folder with the new one.
Instructions

Zone Reclamation Project

Keeps the game as vanilla as possible.
Fixes many bugs present in final version of game.
Improved UI and controls.

L.U.R.K

Revamps many game mechanics, including enemy AI and ballistics.
Considered to be unforgiving in difficulty.

Shaders MAX

May be incompatible with some other mods that alter shaders.
Many improvements in visual quality.
Can be combined with other mods to increase visual fidelity.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R Complete

Overhauls many game mechanics.
Fixes many bugs present in final version of game.
Many improvements in visual quality.
Comes with an easy to use installer.

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 2000 SP4, XP SP2
Processor (CPU) AMD Athlon XP 2200+
Intel Pentium IV 2.0 GHz
System memory (RAM) 512 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 10 GB
Video card (GPU) ATI Radeon 9600
Nvidia GeForce 5700
128 MB of VRAM
DirectX 8 compatible

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data (use Wine regedit to access Windows registry paths). Games with Steam Cloud support may store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/4500/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (4500) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.

References