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Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl at $5 on Steam until Monday

by Xav de Matos { Oct 27th 2009 at 11:00PM }

The highly under-appreciated shooter S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Shadow of Chernobyl is on sale for the low price of $5 on Valve's Steam platform until Monday. Developed by Ukrainian-based GSC Game World, the 2007 shooter takes place in an alternate reality where a second nuclear disaster takes place in at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine.

Normally priced at $19.99, Shadow of Chernobyl is a steal at $5; however, as solid as the FPS is, it also includes numerous video game storyline cliches like an amnesiac protagonist and flesh-hunting mutants. Where are all the games with flesh-hunting amnesiac mutants, right?

[Thanks, Dave]

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Call of Pripyat irradiating PCs 'first quarter 2010'

by Ben Gilbert { Sep 23rd 2009 at 5:57PM }

We've mused on the subject before, but we're still a bit bewildered that a third game set in the shadow of a two-time nuclear fallout zone is on its way in the form of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Call of Pripyat. Sure, the series has twice proven itself to be an enjoyable blend of creepy atmosphere and technical prowess, but between all the guns and high doses of radiation, how is anyone left to talk about? The game's developer, GSC Gameworld, is busy figuring out that problem, effectively pushing back the game to a "first quarter 2010" release, according to the game page on publisher bitComposer's website.

In the meantime, to help sate your need for more S.T.A.L.K.E.R., the company has updated its thrilling PC requirements spec sheet for the game, which we've dropped after the break.

Gallery: S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat

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Namco bringing STALKER: Call of Prypiat to PCs this November

by Christopher Grant { Aug 19th 2009 at 11:36AM }

click to E.N.L.A.R.G.E.

In its GamesCom press conference in Germany this morning, Namco Bandai revealed that it would be handling publishing duties for GSC Game World's latest entry in the STALKER series, titled STALKER: Call of Prypiat. Scheduled for release in November 2009 for PCs only (where's the console love?), this "standalone expansion" contains approximately seven to nine hours of gameplay -- "more if you want to explore the free world." It's not clear if Namco is handling publishing duties outside of Europe, but we'll update this post when we find out.

Gallery: STALKER: Call of Pripyat

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Call of Pripyat gets official site, specs

by Justin McElroy { May 18th 2009 at 9:10PM }

We just don't get upcoming stand-alone expansion S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat. Not only are people hanging out in irradiated Ukraine after the second Chernobyl disaster, there's apparently enough of them for three games in this series. Also, did you see the part where that was the second Chernobyl disaster? What more do you people need?

If you're one of the slow ones still waiting for the real estate market around Chernobyl to pick up, you may be interested to hear that CoP has just gotten an official site as well as the specs needed to play the game, which you can find after the break. Feel free to check them out, but might we suggest those clicks might be better spent booking the first flight out of there?

[Via BD]

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S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 'stand-alone expansion' Call of Pripyat detailed

by Jason Dobson { May 1st 2009 at 9:00AM }

The Ukraine continues to be a popular tourist trap for mutants and Geiger counter salesmen. GSC Game World will again revisit the Eastern European country in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat, an upcoming "stand-alone expansion" to S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl. The Escapist recently culled some rad details on the upcoming title from the pages of Russian mag Gameplay, which reportedly referred to the game as a sequel set just days after the events depicted in the 2007 original.

Among the particulars is information that players won't be able to side with factions this time around, with more 'varied' and 'detailed' side quests promised instead. Day and night cycles are also said to figure more prominently in the game, with the article claiming that the developers are aiming to fix "mistakes" made in both the first game and its prequel, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky. Check out the full translation, as well as scans from the magazine on the FPSBanana forums while we wait in our lead bunker for S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat to drop sometime this fall.

GameTap Thursday: Grimm meets the Pied Piper

by Ross Miller { Dec 11th 2008 at 5:59PM }

Even more Grimm this week, as the second volume gets ready to wrap up on December 18. We've also got tasty pastries and an open world, alternate-future shooter.

Grimm: The Pied Piper (Windows) - Something tells the music won't be as innocently alluring.
Digby's Donuts (Windows) - Mmmm, donuts.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl (Windows) - Fun for the whole nuclear family! Okay, not really, but it is quite fun.

For the freebies this week, we've got Tomb Raider Anniversary -- but only for this week. A friendly reminder, Grimm is free to play for the first 24 hours of release. Full list of free games after the break.

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S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky recalled, delayed 'a few days'

by Griffin McElroy { Aug 31st 2008 at 5:00PM }

We know the news of a brief delay for the much-anticipated prequel to GSC Game World's S.T.A.L.K.E.R. must be disheartening for fans of the title -- however, those same fans will probably be pleased to know of the heartbreak that Clear Sky's delay will ultimately prevent. It seems that publisher Deep ~~Purple~~ Silver recalled copies of the title that had been distributed to North American retailers due to a printing error that left the cases sans CD keys. Apparently, those things are kinda important.

Deep Silver explained that the delay would only push the game's North American Sept. 5 release back "a few days" (the European release date is unaffected by the printing snafu), though a few retailers are listing Sept. 15 as the new launch date. We know you're jonesing for some further adventures in Chernobyl, but don't do anything brash. We wouldn't suggest playing laser tag in a poorly maintained nuclear waste repository, for instance.

[Via 1UP]

Joystiq Podcast 063 - S.N.A.X. edition

by Justin McElroy { Aug 29th 2008 at 1:30PM }

We've finally harnessed the power of our combined snacking knowledge to create a regular, completely non-game related segment on it. Oh, sure we're still talking about video games like Force Unleashed, Too Human and S.T.A.L.K.E.R., but snacks (S.N.A.X.?) really steal the show.

Thanks to Evan Minto, Jordan Wasilka and Max Varenik of the JPAG for the trifecta of photochopping greatness.

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Joystiq Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3)
[RSS] Add the Joystiq Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[Digg] Like the show? Digg it.
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Hosts: Chris Grant, Ludwig Kietzmann and Justin McElroy

Music: "Get Ready for Love" by Nick Cave, "Red Eye" by Ben Kweller

For fans: Joystiq Podcast Facebook group

See all of this week's links after the jump.

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S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky is done, shipping Sept. 5

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Aug 18th 2008 at 12:15PM }

With the sun setting on S.T.A.L.K.E.R. prequel Clear Sky's development, GSC Game World has let us know that it's finally safe to venture outside -- provided you're packing enough firepower to keep the ravenous and irrevocably irradiated hordes at bay. The anticipated FPS is finally ~~dawn~~ done and should be taking us for a first-person stroll through Chernobyl's utterly charming neighborhood on September 5th (yes, that counts as a minor delay).

If you're the sort who can tell your GPU from your PPU (doesn't that fit into the SKU?), you should be pleased to note that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky will feature support for both DirectX 9 and DirectX 10 chipsets. You'll be wanting those hideously deformed mutants to look their best when they tear your throat out.

Gallery: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky

GSC clears the sky on S.T.A.L.K.E.R. follow up

by Jason Dobson { Jun 26th 2008 at 2:15PM }

There are just a couple more months remaining before we'll have to once again climb into our radiation suits and deal with the horrible mutants outside, so developer GSC Game World and newly named publisher Deep Silver have sent along some handy details regarding what we can expect from their forthcoming radioactive PC shooter, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky.

According to the duo, the game, which promises a kind of "what-if" spin on the events depicted in last year's S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, will place players in the role of a mercenary s.t.a.l.k.e.r. named Scar, caught up in a war over "territory, artifacts, and power." Pretty "dynamic" graphics are also promised, with Clear Sky supporting -- but not requiring -- DirectX 10. Other highlighted features include new and "overhauled" levels from the previous game, fast travel, "movie quality" cut scenes, and "greatly improved" AI. Additionally, a new animation engine and "hugely expanded" multiplayer for up to 32 players online or over a LAN will also be included, for those special moments when slaughtering hordes of radioactive mutants just isn't enough.

[Via Press Release]

UK Pub Deep Silver to bring S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky to North America

by Jason Dobson { May 6th 2008 at 9:25AM }

With S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky shipping worldwide on August 29, Deep Silver has announced that it will handle publishing duties in North America for developer GSC Game World's upcoming prequel to 2007's S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl. We think it's particularly interesting that Deep Silver, a UK-based studio that only established a US footprint last month in Los Angeles, has been trusted to steer the game's North American debut instead of THQ, which handled the original game's release last year.

As the latest in GSC's considerable plans for the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. universe, the game promises a "what-if" look at the events leading up to last year's FPS/RPG hybrid, and according to Deep Silver was "created as a warning to mankind against mindless play with technologies" -- especially, we assume, any tech that can give rise to hordes of radioactive beasties.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky ships August 29

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Mar 27th 2008 at 4:00PM }

PC gamers will be frolicking through the radioactive wastelands of Chernobyl once more with the release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky, now set for August 29th. The post-apocalyptic prequel promises "an alternative look" into the events of 2007's S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, pitting players against radioactive decay and mutated creatures with one too many of something. Probably teeth. Also, it's apparently "set in 2011 and brings forth the events to have preceded the third campaign of Strelok to the Zone center." Exciting!

Developer GSC Game World aims to ship the shooter simultaneously worldwide "according to the agreed plan." If said plan falls through, there's always the consolation of the game's day and date release on Steam.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky coming to Steam day and date

by Christopher Grant { Jan 24th 2008 at 9:08PM }

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky – GCS Game World's prequel to their long-in-development and well-received "survival FPS" S.T.A.L.K.E.R. – will be available for digital distribution exclusively on Steam, where the original game is available for a reasonable $20. If you're not into getting your games virtually, it will still be available in stores on the very same day "later this year." Now the question is whether or not "later this year" falls within the estimated Q1 release; considering the original's six year development cycle and their other ongoing projects, we're not placing any bets.

THQ chooses GamersGate for PC digital distribution

by Jason Dobson { Jan 16th 2008 at 11:15AM }

In the world of video game digital distribution, it's easy to think that all roads lead to Steam, but that's not necessarily the case as THQ has reminded us of an alternative in GamersGate, noting that it has inked a deal with the service to offer a selection of its PC titles for online purchase and download. The games will be available worldwide, save for those poor souls in Australia and New Zealand, who have been turned away like orphans to a soup kitchen.

According to GamersGate, the company will initially offer Company of Heroes and Supreme Commander, as well as their recent expansions. While neither title has popped up on the GamersGate website yet, a quick check did reveal S.T.A.L.K.E.R. available for the bargain basement price of $19.99. Other THQ offerings planned to be added eventually include Full Spectrum Warrior and Juiced 2, as well as next month's Frontlines: Fuels of War. It's encouraging to see competition in the digital space, and assuming this and similar deals feature exclusivity clauses, it will be curious to see if we are on the verge of a hard fought digital distribution battle royal. 40 Quatloos on the newcomer!

Man arrested for stalking girls via Halo

by Richard Mitchell { Jan 2nd 2008 at 4:00PM }

A New York man by the name of Joshua R. Stetar was arrested Friday for stalking two young girls, a 15-year-old and her sister, he met while playing an unspecified title in the Halo franchise. Stetar, 20 years old, had discovered the girl's address by searching online and had been sending flowers and other packages -- which her parents returned -- to her home since they first met online in 2006. Stetar had apparently driven 40 hours straight from his home in Saratoga Springs, New York to the girl's home in Spokane, Washington, where he drove by her house and sent her threatening text messages. According to the Associated Press, the girl's parents were outside the home at the time and saw Stetar driving past. They wrote down Stetar's license plate number and called the police, who later tracked down Stetar at a hotel and arrested him. He has since posted the $10,000 bond and was released on Saturday.

A disturbing story to be sure. Let this be a reminder to the parents out there to utilize the 360's parental controls and keep an eye on what their kids are playing.

[Via Gaming Today. Thanks YGZ Kentucky and Foolio]

Read - Detailed report from KHQ
Read - AP report via KOMO