new to stalker, can someone please explain me what's the deal about a-life?

[trocapalot]

i can't really find anything online specifically talking about a-life, it sounds like simulation for NPCs but i'd love to know if there's something unique about it, i've really been enjoying every second spent playing this game (with mods) so i can't wait to see future updates once they add better performance, better balancing and actual a-life as people have been saying it's missing, this game really feels like it can pull a cyberpunk and become an outstanding game

[Mechanique]

Something that is disabled because of performance hit and replaced with slightly overturned and yet much less problematic system from the UE itself. Also it is something people on the internet that don't own the game will tell you to be upset about, because otherwise you'd even not know about it

[JohnMac]

Its a background NPC AI simulation that people will insist is not important.

Exhibit A above. Its what made a stalker game feel alive as opposed to artificial world.

[󠀡󠀡]

a-life is practically the AI, freely able to roam around the map, making the game feel immersive and alive, NPC that actually have a mission too and do stuff for a reason.

The original games had a "social media" system were stalkers or radios said what they were doing, making the game random at times, it made random events that were different than mine and yours.

You could see people walking in a tunnel and be worrying "oh sh1t who are they? are they friendly?".

This game unfortunately has that feeling / feature, disabled.

Considering I've been on my second run of the game, I know where most of the NPC spawn by now, because there is no A-life roaming around, only scripted events.

The original games mostly had random events and A-life roaming around aside some scripted events, this game? Has no A-life = no random NPC roaming around with purpouse, just scripted spawns.

Also hearing more gunshots in the distance... stuff like that.

I hope you get it now!! And keep enjoy the game, STALKER.

[JohnMac]

Originally posted by Mechanique:

Also it is something people on the internet that don't own the game will tell you to be upset about,

You don't own any of the previous games, at least on steam.

[The Undead Watcher]

Pretty much what is described here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/stalker/comments/1h0ynns/whats_alife_seeing_how_theres_a_lot_of_confusion/#lightbox

It's to simulate the zones life so it feels like every NPC has a mind of their own.
There is an active layer (usually focused around you, there called "Online") and an inactive layer (simulating everything outside of your area, called "Offline").

Back then the active and inactive were bound to the level that you are in.
Previously the games areas were connected via a loading screen so naturally it wasn't such a huge problem.
But now with the open world and no loading screens they might have run into trouble.

[Crow]

If you are new to Stalker, try at least the first game, either vanilla or some of the more popular mods. On GOG they are on discount. It is worth it.

[trocapalot]

thanks guys, it sounds like it would've been an amazing feature, currently feels like the game just spawns an NPC/mutant here and there and calls it a day, i hope we'll see a more intricate implementation with an actual task schedule and all that stuff someday, let alone multiplayer sounds like an amazing feature which i can't wait for already

[JohnMac]

Originally posted by trocapalot:

let alone multiplayer sounds like an amazing feature which i can't wait for already

Not sure this is going to happen, at least in the way you think it might.

[trocapalot]

Originally posted by JohnMac:

Originally posted by trocapalot:

let alone multiplayer sounds like an amazing feature which i can't wait for already

Not sure this is going to happen, at least in the way you think it might.

i was figuring it'd be some sort of co-op with 1 other person, i don't understand how else they'd implement it, maybe like elden ring with notes? still looking forward to it

[Dootslayer]

Originally posted by JohnMac:

Originally posted by Mechanique:

Also it is something people on the internet that don't own the game will tell you to be upset about,

You don't own any of the previous games, at least on steam.

Why would anyone own them on steam though? They are ancient. Steam is just an extra DRM.

[JohnMac]

Originally posted by Dootslayer:

Originally posted by JohnMac:

You don't own any of the previous games, at least on steam.

Why would anyone own them on steam though? They are ancient. Steam is just an extra DRM.

In the same way not everyone who owns STALKER 2 owns it on steam. That was my point. All of these people claiming others 'don't even own the game' just because they don't have a mouse icon next to their name is ridiculous.

[AtomicSmilexxx]

Originally posted by trocapalot:

Originally posted by JohnMac:

Not sure this is going to happen, at least in the way you think it might.

i was figuring it'd be some sort of co-op with 1 other person, i don't understand how else they'd implement it, maybe like elden ring with notes? still looking forward to it

from what theyve announce the multiplayer is PVP which is literally what not a single person who plays this wanted

[jukesster]

It's a glorified AI director

[strongled]

A-Life would track all characters (including mutants) on the maps and have them roam doing missions, attacking factions, killing mutants, dying to mutants, etc. This created random situations where you'd hear a bunch of gunshots and go to see two factions ducking it out. Or you could see mutants attacking groups.

Also, NPCs and mobs were spawned already, you could look with your binoculars from afar and see mutants and NPCs doing their own thing. Some would even roam around bodies, eating them or just guarding them to mimic the whole idea of predation.

Mods obviously added to this as well, but this is all part of the base games.
Honestly, people coming up and saying that it's either not important or mostly mods propped it up don't know what they're talking about. STALKER without A-Life is just Metro: Far Cry. And the developers not learning from the modders after all these years is a demerit for them. There are so many mechanics and ideas they could have added, but nope, they went for subpar.

[Cheyenesku]

Originally posted by trocapalot:

Originally posted by JohnMac:

Not sure this is going to happen, at least in the way you think it might.

i was figuring it'd be some sort of co-op with 1 other person, i don't understand how else they'd implement it, maybe like elden ring with notes? still looking forward to it

Extraction mode - all things point to it: editions guns and suits, the way the map works with looting and multipl safe spots and places to "exit", them keeping so quiet about (if it would be just DM and TDM they would already announce it)