Lots of radiation makes monsters, apparently

S.T.A.L.K.E.R is getting some special attention from the gaming media these days. The title looks good enough to have the press leave their junkets pleased that they've spotted the cutting-edge. It also makes enough promises to catch the eye. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. vows an elaborate story with no scripted events. The setting is Russia in the early 21st century. Chernobyl is at it again and has let off enough radiation to turn the people into fish and the fish into people. Creatures wander the desolate wasteland where survival is the only rule. GSC Gameworld, the developer, is touting a technology they call A-Life. A-Life is an AI system that seems ideal for the wasteland theme. Baddies can act in packs, play on their strengths and exploit your weaknesses. Of course, until the game comes under closer scrutiny there's little evidence in the article that the AI system is any better than current games on the market.