About the new 1.1.0019.5 update!

Hello my dear stalkers!
My personal wish was that I will be finished with my fixing things on the StalkerSoup around of the middle of the december!
But, because of my personal things and many game fixating tasks!
I am not ready yet to launch the 1.1.0020 update.
I belive, that the new update will be around the end of the Januar! - Maybe before of this?

I was geting many of the improved files from the TB. for a new levels
- so afther this upcoming update, we will see many new task for the level 3 and level 4...

I was listening some complines about the Petrenko's flask problems - so I was decide to change this with removed-repositioned some anomalies and to spawn one extra barrel to help player climbing the fence in that area .... It's not easy, but the 'true Stalker' should not have any problem with it...

My plan for the next year is: adding 4 or the 5 new levels(Mines and my beloved Duga plus some others) and the new 64 bit engine By the TB.


Thank you my dear stalker friends for your atention and for your feedbacks around the game errors...

I whish you all - the healty and happy new year
from the StalkerSoup team.
Aleks

Though things have taken longer (I am a volunteer for COVID education taking up all my time right now) the game is progressing thanks to Aleks and others, MANY THANKS.
I have been able to advance the story more and hope to be able to extend it into the new levels being added (unfortunately it will require a new game as the game graph will change) but this will be a bit further out.
Progress on the 64bit engine is down to 2 files left which may require a 64bit recompile of the all.spawn to finalize it. With the new engine I will be supporting 4k textures and take advantage of some of the newest features of NVIDEA and AMD graphics cards to speed up the game and improve the quality by quite a bit.
Happy New Year and hope 2021 will be a better year for all of us!

Its only been a month and a half since the last post but I was wondering if theres an updates on the new update?

~ Update ~
I finally finished testing the new all.spawn file.
It took a lot of time because the corrections in this file requires a new start on every new changes I made in it...

My next process will be with checking the updated text files changed by the dialogue improvement team...

Aleks

Aleks1970 wrote:

~ Update ~
I finally finished testing the new all.spawn file.
It took a lot of time because the corrections in this file requires a new start on every new changes I made in it...

My next process will be with checking the updated text files changed by the dialogue improvement team...

Aleks

Thanks for the update, Aleks. Looking forward to seeing the latest updates in my next game.

About a month since the last update on progress. Was wondering how it's going. Am holding off doing a new start until 1.1.0020 comes out.

fantomas wrote:

About a month since the last update on progress. Was wondering how it's going. Am holding off doing a new start until 1.1.0020 comes out.

The merging of all the new code is currently being tested, and the Dialogues Team will have completed the new descriptions of all 53 game maps, unified with the ongoing storyline, by the end of this month

So, no guarantees, but I'd be expecting the new patch around early to mid-June. Hopefully...

What I can guarantee, though, is that it'll be worth waiting for...

We are waiting for new additions to the game after fox note

As I understand it, this patch from Aleks will include bug-fixes and general game improvements, along with Sword's dialogue enhancements, for the game as it stands now.

TecnoBacon is working on additional material that will extend the story beyond the current end of the game. Hopefully his update will be released later this year, but COVID may have other ideas.

pchester wrote:

As I understand it, this patch from Aleks will include bug-fixes and general game improvements, along with Sword's dialogue enhancements, for the game as it stands now......

This is the stuff I'm currently more interested in & the x64 enhancements. I'd not gotten to the point of reaching end game when I last played

A bug in the hump task should be fixed
The game always gives an error while doing this task

kaplumbaga wrote:

A bug in the hump task should be fixed
The game always gives an error while doing this task

Please explain what is happens for you in this task?

pchester wrote:

As I understand it, this patch from Aleks will include bug-fixes and general game improvements, along with Sword's dialogue enhancements, for the game as it stands now.

TecnoBacon is working on additional material that will extend the story beyond the current end of the game. Hopefully his update will be released later this year, but COVID may have other ideas.

First: Yes  

Second, I and TecnoBacon we are in the process checking and combining my and his updates together in one big update...

This will also give the time for dialogue improvements team to finish their work...  

Regarding Hump Task we are talking about Voronin Task involving Hump right? So yes in my case once when I moved towards the area of the situation it crashed and second time it didnt complete in the PDA but the task was completed.

Aleks1970 wrote:

kaplumbaga wrote:

A bug in the hump task should be fixed
The game always gives an error while doing this task

Please explain what is happens for you in this task?

game error when approaching that area.
this error happens all the time.
valid for every person who comes there.
I had problem there every time I restart the game.

Fofyhead wrote:

Regarding Hump Task we are talking about Voronin Task involving Hump right? So yes in my case once when I moved towards the area of the situation it crashed and second time it didnt complete in the PDA but the task was completed.

The mission won't be completed if you can't kill the hump.
because the hump is runaway

When this update is ready we need to start new game??? Please say no

Fofyhead wrote:

When this update is ready we need to start new game??? Please say no

Hi Fofyhead

Maybe it would be kinder to rephrase the question...

How about 'In order to get the best out this new patch, which has been well over a year in the making (Covid notwithstanding), and take full advantage of all the new content, storyline development, textures, smart and interactive new terrains, bug-fixes, etc, can I get away with using an old save?'

In this case the answer would have to be a carefully thought out, "No..."

"But why ever not?" you might ask

"Well," might be the considered reply, "An old save would not only contain all the intimate details of the old content, bugs, code, and so on but, like a fish out of water, or an early Word document, it may be totally incapable of adapting to the wondrous new environment around it, and simply withdraw into itself..."

"So are you saying I shouldn't use an old save?"

"Oh, good lord, no. I could never suggest such a thing. Please feel free to use your old save - just as you may continue using Windows Vista - if it so pleases you. I'm only suggesting that you may not enjoy the result, now that the game has moved on considerably..."

"But what about all that time I put into playing the old version? Was it all for naught?"

"Of course not, my friend. That was to gain experience, and prepare you for this version. The very reason the game has such a dedicated following - because it's a soup, and each time you dip into it, it's different. You not only appreciate the game itself as if it were new, but it also delights you with its differences, both major and subtle, each and every time..."

"Ah, I understand," you say. "It was foolish to imagine putting new wine into old skins. To bring old underwear to a new relationship. To transfer my old foot mats and seat covers to a new car.  I shall enter this brave new world with the wisdom and experience gained from the old one, and ne'er look back - but only forward from this moment on..."

And all around you would smile and nod their heads sagely, because that would be the right answer...

Welcome to StalkerSoup

Masterpiece indeed! Thank you guys!

Hi all StalkerSoup Team,

I'm on the New game obligation for the new Game Patch.
Is there a way to convert the Old Save into a New Patches functional save file ?
Scratching out of the file the old save the old piece of code and bringing in the new one ?

That's just a suggestion but it would be a great improvement having this utility.

Best Regards

\PApyStalker

Any news so far for the new update? I've read early to mid June so I'm excited!

Fofyhead wrote:

Any news so far for the new update? I've read early to mid June so I'm excited!

Hi Fofyhead

The text files from the Dialogues team have just been submitted for inclusion in the new patch. That's mainly what was delaying progress as loose ends were being tidied up

The main focus in Dialogues over the past year has been to join all the game levels together, to create a more connected, cohesive, and immersive storyline - including adding Caesier's backstory to Level 1

All the lines of information, hidden notes, and conversations in the Collector, Caesier, Gold bars, and ZEP quests (all of which were previously merged in from separate mods) have been reworked for flow and cohesion with the main storyline

The SMS messages you receive from other stalkers, their meditations, and the news of their deaths have been rewritten throughout. Information on activating them will be published here later

Further descriptive guidance has been added to scenarios where players usually get stuck, or shot at...

The 31 previously undocumented map levels now have full descriptions in Encyclopedia > Regions (compliments of pchester)

The 22 originally documented map levels have had their historic descriptions improved in Encyclopedia > Regions (pchester)

All 53 map descriptions have been rewritten to create an interconnected and timeline-corrected Zone history. This includes the backgrounds of all the currently-known 'X-Labs' (pchester)

The game now has a new and ongoing consistent layout for weapons and ammo stats, including their descriptions from a soldier's point of view (compliments of kd6dm)

New standardized layout for suppressors, scopes, and launchers

Countless dialogues and descriptions throughout the game have been improved and extended in content and layout...

The Soul Cube has been replaced, and its quest completely rewritten

Though the bulk of the game's original gobbledegook machine translation has been rewritten, with 132 of the game's 155 text files signed off as fully completed, the remainder will need to wait until the next draft...

So it can only get better...  

Fofyhead wrote:

Any news so far for the new update? I've read early to mid June so I'm excited!

Hi Fofyhead.
Me and the TecnoBacon
-> we are still on the process verifying and checking everything out!


For the new patch we will get a game changed in many aspects...

Boy.. I can only wish that I will remember these in a update notifications...

Aleks1970 wrote:

Fofyhead wrote:

Any news so far for the new update? I've read early to mid June so I'm excited!

Hi Fofyhead.
Me and the TecnoBacon
-> we are still on the process verifying and checking everything out!


For the new patch we will get a game changed in many aspects...

Boy.. I can only wish that I will remember these in a update notifications...

Hi Alex, is this patch, you are working on, seen as the final patch to end the Game please?

TrueB wrote:

Is this patch, you are working on, seen as the final patch to end the Game please?

To my knowledge this patch will bring the game to the end of level 3, and open the way to further levels becoming available as either part of the official storyline or as optional downloadable content

TB stated previously that 10 official levels are planned, but other contributors like Tzoun are supplying additional optional content

So potentially, like the Zone, the game may not end in our lifetime...

TrueB wrote:

Hi Alex, is this patch, you are working on, seen as the final patch to end the Game please?

As you already know, I am allowed to fix everything in the NS~StalkerSoup game version(stage 1
)!.
You have to ask TB about the next game ...

Can't wait! Is there a patchnote somewhere to get an idea of what to expect with next update more in details ?

Sword2012 wrote:

TrueB wrote:

Is this patch, you are working on, seen as the final patch to end the Game please?

To my knowledge this patch will bring the game to the end of level 3, and open the way to further levels becoming available as either part of the official storyline or as optional downloadable content

TB stated previously that 10 official levels are planned, but other contributors like Tzoun are supplying additional optional content

So potentially, like the Zone, the game may not end in our lifetime...

In my humble opinion Soup is the longest game I have ever played. It would thus be helpful if StalkerSoup became StalkerSoup New Generation or similar wherein stories in levelups 4-10 are new storyline stories with some markers to recognise the game but otherwise independent. In the original commercial games, the player only plays Marked One in one game. The hero of subsequent games could be anyone the writer wants.

I have nothing but respect for people who are still working on this fantastic joint effort, especially in these difficult times, a big thank you to the developers.

I was also going to ask about the "end game", please don't get me wrong, it's great to have a constantly improving and expanding project but is it really going to continue development years to come? It feels like the end of level 3 and the 64bit engine would be a good send-off. It would be nice to look at a custom made boxed copy of STALKERSOUP one day and say "what fantastic mod that was"  

Like I said, please don't get me wrong, I would really enjoy if STALKERSOUP kept updating, what more can a Stalker want than never ending adventures in the Zone? But a definitive final version tidily packaged would also pretty nice. The game is massive already does it really need more? I doubt it would happen after working such a long time on a this already but, maybe the very talented people behind STALKERSOUP can start a new and fresh project?

Whatever the future holds won't change the fact that this is a fantastic Megamod made by great people, thank you everyone for your work.

The Zone awaits.

Thanks, I started this mod many years ago on steam and had over a million viewers and over 36,000 responses in the first year (only 13 levels then). I then expanded the game to 56 (54 active) levels with DKZ creating his treasure hunt for this mod which in reality is it's own independent game as the executables have been modified as well as the DX11 extended support. Then Aleks came along and started helping me as well as several others that focused on the text (huge accomplishment! At present Aleks has cleaned up the all.spawn which was sorely needed as I had to rush through it just to get the IDs unique (no dups) which took a year. I created STALKERSOUP as a memorial to SOC and Naradnaya Soljanka but the game had so many downloads (crashed my cloud for a bit) I felt I had to continue and here we are. This next release will have a very clean and tested all.spawn (needs new game start to get all the new changes) but previous saves should still work. The end of level 3 (am a bit behind due to illness) is my ending which will be different as there is DLC support after levelup 3, one DLC has been completed by one of the team. I will also create a DLC or two which will take my story further but I will take my time to create them. I have also made it easy to replace textures (like my winter one), these are called packages and are managed by the launcher app. I am also trying to get the coop and multiplayer systems done or find someone for the team that can work on it. At some point I hope to get donations (also sell patches and USBs) to help with 64bit development and discord server costs.
The team thanks you for your input and praise of the tiring work of solidifying and adding to the game!

TYVM TB, holding off for update, to start a new run through, you and the team deserve a medal!
Giving us years of fun.

Hello Technobacon,

I remember the Steam thread, it was pretty big back in the day, with Stalkers all around the globe talking about the mod, sharing tips and memories before Valve decided to purge it. The mention of Co-op is thrilling and seeing as there are exciting ideas for the future may I suggest one more?

The biggest problem with the mod in my opinion is the lack of balance, as it is expected when the scope is this astronomical. When you get to a point in-game where you have "made it" you become so powerful that nothing feels important. You stop searching for better weapons or armor, the excitement of upgrading starts to fade. When I mention power, I don't mean making the mod a terrible Misery-like grindfest with unreasonable difficulty, I mean some tweaks to the existing parameters, like gunplay.

For me, the gunplay of the Stalker series became solid after Shadow of Chernobyl, before that the guns didn't feel powerful enough. Whenever I play STALKERSOUP and try a shotgun (mostly a powerful one like a Saiga) it feels wrong, it lacks punch. Long story short, would an overhaul of the gunplay be possible in the future? Though surely not an easy undertaking, with tons of custom additions, even the integration of CS and CoP style gunplay would make STALKERSOUP much, much enjoyable in my opinion.

Once again thank you and all of the developers of this fantastic project, hope you get well soon  

The dedication of the SS team is completely unmatched as far as modding or gamedev projects go. Thank you all for your work!

Aleks1970 wrote:

I was listening some complines about the Petrenko's flask problems - so I was decide to change this with removed-repositioned some anomalies and to spawn one extra barrel to help player climbing the fence in that area .... It's not easy, but the 'true Stalker' should not have any problem with it...

This is the problem I have with that mission ... and well, others that present a similar problem, and that is that they are the maps with INCOMPLETE SCENARIOS.

Spoiler:

Ikaruss wrote:

The flask, is on the side marked in red, just where the limits of the map and to back, you have to go around where the arrows are in red, and as I said,

... Not realy! There was a second route!...

Ikaruss wrote:

And yet this part marked in green is much more complete, it is not being used in any mission and it is easier to enter and exit it, where I mark it with the green arrow....

Problem with this area is -> as the duty gaurd my take the flask!...

First of all, I don't want to do this task more easily as is it in the current time. And I believe that the every greenhorn stalker will learn climbing before comming in this game part!
Aleks

When I said easier, I meant less work.
And

Spoiler:

I need to install the game to show you what I meant with infinished buldings.