Project Stolker

This is an extremely rough prototype, uploaded for posterity. This project is an experiment in methods of adaptation from existing media. Roadside Picnic was chosen as its adaptations are well worn ground. 

A brief postmortem and explanation of mechanics:

Bar – The bar is the hub because of its role in the original novel, the film Stalker, the Games, and indie-film Vyohyke each feature a bar. The Borscht, as its called in the novel, is one of the few out-of-zone locations stalkers flock to. Currently, the bar generates two random stalkers, and re-inserts any ‘veteran stalkers’ who have survived the player’s excursions.

Patron Desires – A re-occurring theme I found in Roadside Picnic derivative work research was the insignificance of money itself. Numerous times it is revealed that Stalkers often have all the money they could need, but something else drives them into the zone. There is not direct gameplay effect from this.

Anomaly Functionality – The zone is supposed to be a wonderland where anything can happen. It’s more likely, statistically speaking, that these effects will be lethal. Anomalies will randomly effect the ‘biological systems’ or physical systems of any stalker that crosses them.

The body system – Currently in infancy, the body system is a way to have artifacts impact the player in invisible ways. They will reach in and alter one of these systems. ‘Systems’ is vague because I built it to define most bodily functions. Blood pressure, nervous connectivity, and complex fracture are all possible. All of this is generated from a single CSV sheet. Unfortunately due to the tight time frame of the project, it is not very fleshed out yet. I hope it will see its day.

Going prone – Pressing shift will move the player into a crouch, and then into prone if they are still long enough. This would have served more of a purpose in a fuller development, but I still found it to be important. In the film Stalker, this prone-state is a way of communicating with the zone itself.

This project is stopped due to temporal and IP concerns, and unfortunately many of its systems are still rough. To anyone who wishes to play, you have my thanks.