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

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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.
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 2010
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Lost Alpha (Unofficial) 2014

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 and some of the Steam keys are now redeemable on GOG.com 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[edit]

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
 
 Uses Tages, It has been disabled via patches.
 
 
Amazon.com
 
 
GOG.com
 
 
Steam
 
 Some CD-keys listed in-game under Multiplayer can be redeemed on GOG.com.[2]
 

Essential improvements[edit]

Patches[edit]

v1.0005[edit]

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

v1.0006[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Download patch

Downgrading from v.1006[edit]

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[edit]

Start game with -nointro parameter[citation needed]

Xetrill's Modified LuaJIT library[edit]

Users have reported increased performance, especially with script-heavy mods.
Use replacement files[citation needed]
  1. Download the modified library.
  2. Extract the content of LuaJIT_EXPERIMENTAL_latest\release\bin in <path-to-game>\bin. [3]

Game data[edit]

Configuration file(s) location[edit]

System Location
Windows %PUBLIC%\Documents\STALKER-SHOC
CD key, language and GameSpy ID are stored in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\GSC Game World\STALKER-SHOC

Save game data location[edit]

System Location
Windows %PUBLIC%\Documents\STALKER-SHOC\savedgames
You can modify the save game data location by editing fsgame.ltx in gamedata.

Save game cloud syncing[edit]

System Native Notes
Steam Cloud

Video settings[edit]

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)
Graphics option Option WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
 
 Some HUD elements may be stretched.
Multi-monitor
 
 Some HUD elements may be stretched.
4K Ultra HD
 
Field of view (FOV)
90° (65° Vertical) - See Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
Borderless fullscreen windowed
Use Borderless Gaming or similar software.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Up to 16 samples.
Anti-aliasing (AA)
Slider applies an FXAA-like blur filter.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
In-game Vsync option is broken.[4] Use the Multi-Patch to fix it.
60 FPS
120+ FPS
No frame rate or refresh rate cap.[5]

Field of view (FOV)[edit]

Install FOV Switcher[citation needed]
  1. Download FOV Switcher and extract it.
  2. Copy the appropriate exe file to the BIN folder inside of the installation folder and launch it.

Notes

It's highly recommended not to play online with the FOV hack installed.
To restore the settings to default, use the patcher again.
Clipping issues are more noticeable. [6]

Input settings[edit]

Controls menu
Controls menu
Keyboard and mouse Native Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration
Only in Steam version. Disable through console with "cam_slide_inert 0.0".
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support

Audio settings[edit]

Audio menu
Audio menu
Audio options Native Notes
Separate volume controls
SFX and music only.
Surround sound
Up to 7.0 output[7]
Subtitles
fan made subtitles and cc
Closed captions
fan made subtitles and cc
Mute on focus lost
EAX support
EAX 2.0

Localizations

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

Network[edit]

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

Type Native Notes
Matchmaking
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting
Direct IP

Ports

Protocol Port(s) and/or port range(s)
TCP (outbound) 3783, 6515, 6667, 13139, 27900, 28900, 29900, 29901

Issues fixed[edit]

"Unable to connect to master server" error[edit]

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

Other information[edit]

API[edit]

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 8, 9 Running the game in DirectX 9 mode is only possible with dynamic lighting enabled.
64-bit executable

Middleware[edit]

Middleware Notes
Physics Open Dynamics Engine
Audio OpenAL

Optimal settings[edit]

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[edit]

Edit User.LTX[citation needed]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open User.LTX.
  3. Change cam_inert to 0.
  4. Save changes.

Notes

It can also be changed while in game using the console cam_inert X where X stand as a value, which you might want to translate into 0.1

Enable FPS counter[edit]

Use command console[citation needed]
  1. Open the in-game console by pressing ~.
  2. Enter: rs_stats 1

Shorter load times[edit]

Start game with the -noprefetch parameter[citation needed]

Glitchy shadows using widescreen resolutions[edit]

Edit User.LTX[citation needed]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open User.LTX.
  3. Change r2_sun_near to 20..
  4. Change r2_sun_near_border to 1..

Large Address Aware[edit]

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

Modifications[edit]

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.
Preparing the game for mods[citation needed]

To use mods with S.T.A.L.K.E.R., you will first need to edit your fsgame.ltx - file found under the game's install folder.

  1. Go to the installation folder.
  2. Open fsgame.ltx with a text editor.
  3. Find line:
    $game_data$ = false| true| $fs_root$| gamedata
  4. Change it to:
    $game_data$ = true| true| $fs_root$| gamedata

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.
Using Smart Mod Manager

Download the program at Codeplex. The program installs the mods from .zip or directly from the folder. It will warn you if there are issues with other mods combined; then you have to choose one of them.

  1. First select the game (S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl or S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky)
  2. Set up the right language, version and folder of the game
  3. Go to the game tab and install mods from .zip or folder.
Enable/Disable mods also possible in the manager

Zone Reclamation Project[edit]

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

L.U.R.K[edit]

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

Shaders MAX[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 2000 SP4, XP SP2
Processor (CPU) AMD Athlon XP 2200+
Intel Pentium IV 2.0 GHz		 AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400
System memory (RAM) 512 MB 1.5 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 10 GB
Video card (GPU) ATI Radeon 9600
Nvidia GeForce 5700
128 MB of VRAM
DirectX 8 compatible 		ATI Radeon X1850
Nvidia GeForce 7900
256 MB of VRAM
DirectX 9.0c compatible

References

  1. ↑ Mods - S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl Game - Mod DB
  2. ↑ Reclaim your games. DRM-Free!, page 4 - Forum - GOG.com
  3. ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/stalker/comments/3p5r8q/how_do_i_install_the_modified_luajit_library/cw3fz1l
  4. ↑ TweakGuides.com - STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl Tweak Guide - In-Game Settings (Pt.2)
  5. ↑ New 120Hz Games Report
  6. ↑ http://community.pcgamingwiki.com/gallery/image/1978-with-fov-mod/
  7. ↑ PC Gaming Surround Sound Round-up