Z.O.N.A: Origin News

[h2]Changes and Improvements:[/h2]

• Fixed an issue with the repeated spawning of items in "Bunker 345," which could eventually lead to save system failures.
  
• Minor optimization of the "Bunker 345" level.
  
• Optimized some textures.
  

[h2]New Features:[/h2]

• A new quest has been added: destroy the "Dark Obelisk" in "Bunker 345." This quest is available only to players who previously took the task from Alex to find the secret detector "SOVA" in "Bunker 746." You can receive the quest at the "Dawn" base.
  
• A new location has been introduced: "Bunker 345."
  

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

[h2]Changes and Improvements:[/h2]

• A lamp has been added to the tunnel at the "Dawn" base — it's now brighter there, just as you requested. Your feedback and suggestions are always taken into account!
  
• New environmental objects have been added to several levels to enhance the atmosphere.
  
• Minor tweaks and improvements have been made across various levels.
  

Dear players, I wish you a Happy New Year in advance! Thank you for staying with me, helping to improve and develop the game. Since its early access release on August 25, 2024, we have come a long way together: adding new quests, weapons, factions, and much more. The game now features 18 playable locations — all thanks to you!

Your ideas, support, and enthusiasm continue to inspire me to move forward. May 2025 bring even more bright moments and surpass the achievements of 2024.

Happy holidays! 🎉

[h2]Changes and Improvements:[/h2]

• Fixed a bug that prevented taking the New Year quest in regions where the global date format was month/day/year.
  
• Improved performance in the raid location "Military Town."
  
• Fixed training: hint text was not displayed.
  

[h2]New Year Event: "The Secret of the White Stalker"[/h2]

Celebrate the New Year with an event that will truly test the bravest stalkers! Until January 12, 2025, you have the chance to uncover the mystery of the White Stalker and find his hidden shelter. Search for the PDA with coordinates in the vicinity of Pripyat to reach the hideout where unique weaponry awaits — the 17M "Ghost." Don’t miss your chance to claim this exclusive trophy! The Zone doesn’t forgive delays, so hurry — after January 12, anomalies will erase all traces.

Good luck, stalker, and happy holidays! 🎄



[h2]New Features:[/h2]

• Added a quest to find Shelter 2025. You can pick it up from the snowman at the "Free Stalkers" base. Please don’t upset the snowman! :)
  
• Added the ability to adjust the position of the player’s belt. The adjustment can be made in the PDA.
  
• Added the ability to adjust the position of the player’s loadout. The adjustment can be made in the PDA.
  
• Added the option to enable mirrored loadout independently of the left-handed mode. The holster moves from the right side to the left, while the bolt pouch and PDA move from the left to the right, keeping right-handed controls intact.
  
• Added a new achievement: "Hunter in the Dark."
  
• Added a new achievement: "Shadow of the House Spirits."
  
• Added a unique weapon — 17M "Ghost," obtainable only in the New Year quest.
  

[h2]Changes and Improvements:[/h2]

• Improved weapon tracking during aimed shooting on devices like Quest and Pico. Previously, aiming caused the weapon to shake — this issue has now been fixed.
  
• In left-handed mode, only the controls are now mirrored. To mirror the loadout, an additional mode must be activated in the PDA or main menu.
  
• Slightly adjusted lighting on the "Free Stalkers" location.
  
• Various tweaks and fixes have been made on several levels.
  

[h2]New Features:[/h2]

• A new faction, "Dawn," has been added.
  
• A new location — the "Dawn" faction base — is now available. It unlocks as you progress through the storyline.
  
• A storyline quest has been added at the "Dawn" base.
  
• Female characters make their first appearance in the game and can be encountered at the "Dawn" base.
  
• Two new artifact hunting quests have been added. These can be obtained from Mykhalych at the "Free Stalkers" base, but only after completing the "Radio Towers Shutdown" quest. The second quest becomes available a short time after completing the first.
  
• New lootable items have been added: boxes with DVD discs.
  
• Action music now plays during battles with factions in the Zone. It enhances the intensity of combat without being overly distracting. Currently, this feature is in testing and only works during battles with factions.
  
• A new artifact, "Snowflake," has been added.
  
• A new artifact, "Polar Hedgehog," has been added.
  
• A new achievement, "Mutant Hunter," has been added.
  
• A new achievement, "Zone Nightmare," has been added.
  

[h2]Changes and Improvements:[/h2]

• The PDA map is now slightly zoomed out by default, allowing players to see a larger area. You can still zoom in and out using the "+" and "-" buttons on the PDA screen.
  
• On the Landfill location, the point "Processing Station DK1" has been renamed to "DK2" to prevent confusion in certain quests.
  
• Animations for some factions have been improved.
  
• Fixed issues related to items.
  
• Fixed issues related to AI.
  
• Added new atmospheric items to certain locations.
  
• Improved textures in several levels.
  
• Adjusted the physics for certain items.
  
• Optimized game performance in some locations.
  

[h2]Additional:[/h2]

• The leaderboard has been reset. To restore your ranking, complete a trade on the "Black Market."
  

We wish all stalkers a happy holiday season! May the Zone be kind to you, and may health, happiness, and good fortune follow you in real life. Thank you for staying with us — together, we make this world more exciting!

P.S. This isn’t the end... The next update will be released before the end of the year. Stay tuned, stalkers!