Where do we stand?

As of today we are working on the game’s storyline. After conclusively play-testing the first version, we came to the conclusion that the result was below-par and didn’t live up to our own expectations and high standards. As a result we undertook a broad review of the story and key design areas of the game, looking particularly at the interaction of the plot with the life simulation.

Once key areas were identified we were able to work on filling out the content of the game world and being the process of polishing and balancing. At the same time, we are working hard to refine the AI, life simulation, the PDA interactivity, bug fixing and optimising the game to run on lower-spec machines. The ‘eye candy’ is also getting a major overhaul…

We have also continued to work on the AI in the game and we’re particularly happy with the way our stalkers react to one another and to other stalkers; while they’re certainly challenging to attack, they don’t actually ‘cheat’, but react according to their situation and make decisions depending on the player’s actions. Once you understand that the underlying AI reflects true-life situations then the combat becomes all the more engaging, realising that a simple mistake could be the end of you brings a real intensity to the action! We have also been working hard to make sure that the life of the other AI stalkers in the game is just as engaging as your own; they talk, tell jokes, drink, sleep, etc.