How persistent is the world?

Moi Dix Mois on 10/6/2008 at 09:24

Just had a little incident (only started playing today) in which I cleared the farm/parking area near the start, then went off to do something else, leaving my new best buds to hang around there. When I passed back through I found that they had been killed, and the place was infested again (perhaps I should have expected that...).

Were these bandits generated randomly, or did they actually come from somewhere?

I never thought I could have so much fun getting killed in a game.

edit - I suppose what I'm really asking is: if I kill them, will an infinite stream of bandits continue to trickle into this area? I don't mind killing them, but it'd be nice to actually make a difference and feel like I accomplished something.

Rogue Keeper on 10/6/2008 at 09:36

Areas cleaned by you are being repopulated on a regular basis, perhaps too quickly for my taste. The A-Life simulation has several variable NPC/critter batches to choose from cfg files, to spawn in a given area. Sometimes you can witness groups of stalkers/soldiers/bandists/vermin being spawned at the crosssing point between areas and travel to their usual place, but mostly the repopulation happens offline (i.e. when you aren't present in the area to be repopulated), so you won't notice. Several mods alter the critter A-Life, usually resulting in unbalanced, wicked ecosystem.

242 on 10/6/2008 at 09:47

Yes, if you stay in an area where you cleaned some key structure long enough, you eventually will see how a next party of enemies will enter the map at a transition point and go to re-capture the place, they won't just appear from nowhere. Often, on first visit of a map enemies won't be coming from adjacent maps, so it's recommended to explore maps on first visit. Most prominent example is Wild Territory which becomes REALLY, no, REALLY wild *after* the first visit.

Sometimes, it's not possible to say certainly who will come winner from the fights - attackers or defenders, i.e. who will control the area. As example - little bases of stalkers in Garbage, or in the Wild Territory, especially later in the game. Sometimes you expect a certain faction to control a spot because you are used to see it there, but there is other faction, or monsters.

TBE on 10/6/2008 at 16:19

I like to give my guys good weapons. Make sure it's in decent shape (condition) and has at least 1 full clip of ammo. Then hit G to drop it at them. They will pick it up and equip it, if it is a better gun than they already have. Sometimes this will only work with specific guns, depending on the character. If they're carrying a shotgun, they'll always take an upgraded shotgun. Giving friendlies good weapons you find lying around make it easier for them to control an area. I've never had Cordon or Garbage taken over by anyone.

Moi Dix Mois on 10/6/2008 at 21:15

Ack... I found out there are load zones.
I had thought it was free roaming for some reason. Also - there's something in those underground tunnels. Something invisible.
I ran away.
Do I have to go back down there?

Quote:

I like to give my guys good weapons.

I hadn't considered that, it's a good idea though, and I'm already overoaded with guns I don't use.

242 on 10/6/2008 at 21:46

Quote:

Also - there's something in those underground tunnels. Something invisible.
I ran away.
Do I have to go back down there?

YES :sly: :sly: :sly:
And there is more than one dungeon :sly:

Quote:

I hadn't considered that, it's a good idea though, and I'm already overoaded with guns I don't use.

Don't carry more than 50kg, you'll not be able to sprint normally.

Jashin on 11/6/2008 at 03:38

That's the most memorable moment for me :laff:

My first time meeting that invisible bastard, he didn't charge me down. Instead he tiptoed towards me so very creepy like in an area with a ton of bubbly green fruit punches. I spotted his silhouette coming closer and closer, it was magnificent! It's one of those moments where you don't immediately know if it's an enemy, but that you gotta re-categorize on the fly.

Moi Dix Mois on 11/6/2008 at 08:14

Quote Posted by Jashin

Yeah that was the place for me, too. I heard the growling and roaring, turned around and just caught the preadtorish shimmer coming towards me.
It was at that point that I decided my talents would be best used elsewhere.

I was really impressed with the sneaking, too, because there was no way it could have already been behind me. Or I don't think so anyway. There was another incident near a big factory in the same area - I was taking cover behind a big pipe, because there were about a dozen bandits across the way taking pot-shots at me. Next thing I see is my blood splattered in front of me, the game over screen. The camera swung round to show some sneaky shitbag who had crept up within five paces and given me both barrels. He definitely didn't start behind me. I think he was originally about 20 meters ahead, covering behind a pipe similar to mine. I like to believe that he crept around while I was distracted with the rest of them, don't know how accurate that is though.

Less impressed with my own ability to sneak. I tried to stealthily murder all of the military guys at the broken bridge, but they seem to be hyper sensitive. I can usually manage to knife one silently, but his buddies always start shooting at the exact moment he goes down.