The Zone: Stalker Stories News

I won't lie, things have been extremely rough for me this past month. All sorts of crises keep cropping up left and right -- personal, financial, and medical, with a stubborn dental infection that left me unable to do much of anything for over a week.

Obviously this has hurt progress on the game and delayed our next update. Things are still in the works, however! For example, we recently finished art and animation for a key NPC which will let us move forward with the City Hall part of the storyline: the Mayor of Esper.




In the meantime, I'm conducting a full review of the plot, looking to trim some fat so we can stay on target for our 1.0 release.

Stay tuned for further developments. We won't quit until the game is out.

We're one month on from the EA release, and it's been a hell of a time! Trying to catch up on all the things I put off while crunching for the launch.

That's the reason why this update is mostly fixes rather than new content. However, expect new stuff in the next update!

Changes:

• Fixed an error with some fog not displaying properly
  
• Fixed error with repeating train yard story encounter
  
• Tweaked train yard story ending 3
  
• Fixed issue with choice buttons showing too soon
  
• Fixed combat loss not working correctly in some cases
  
• Added sanity check for combat loss due to damage over time
  

Another load of fixes. If you run into a problem, please report it, and I'll get to work!

• Added option slider for adjusting random combat frequency
  
• Changed Stalker mode Supplies behaviour
  
• Fixed softlock in Chapter 2
  
• Fixed crash on loading some Stalker mode bosses
  
• Fixed crash when opening jobs board
  
• Fixed containers not showing when equipped during loot
  
• Fixed encounter buttons showing too soon
  
• Fixed error with certain sounds cutting off
  

This is our first load of post-launch fixes, with more to come.

• Fixed mutant prawn boss erroneously triggering story advancement
  
• Fixed crash when repeatedly clicking End Turn
  
• Fixed problems when transferring from story mode to gameplay
  
• Fixed some mystery instability (hopefully including crashes during boss encounters -- starting a new game may be required)
  
• Fixed issue with certain backgrounds not showing
  
• Fixed combats occurring in protected areas
  
• Balance tweaks: Lowered HP on certain enemies
  
• Increased default text speed
  
• Controller clicks are now recognised during name entry
  

At long last, the day is here!

ZONE is now available on Early Access, with 3 explorable biomes and lots more story than the demo had to offer.

There is much left to do, of course... But if we haven't given up after all this time, you know we won't until the game is done.

And before we go, another list of improvements over the demo:

• Added controller support
  
• Added unlock requirement for Stalker mode
  
• Changed loot system
  
• Reworked exploration
  
• Fixed bug that allowed drawing above maximum hand size
  
• Fixed broken battle background in the train yard
  
• Fixed bug with Fire Axe disappearing
  
• Fixed crash on mouseovering card tooltips
  
• Shop card previews no longer persist after buying an item
  
• Fixed issue with story segments freezing at certain points
  
• Fixed Leather Jerkin not giving correct buffs