ZRP 1.09 XR3a -- An early look at the next version ===================================== Introduction: ===================================== Welcome to The Zone Reclamation Project, version 1.09 XR3a. This release is intended for testing and feedback. It is experimental and involves big changes. Primarily a community bug-fix patch mod for STALKER, Shadow of Chernobyl, the ZRP is also a very configurable set of tweaks and mini-mods to reduce annoyances and enhance your gameplay experience -- without changing the gameplay itself. The goal of the ZRP is to provide the best possible vanilla experience for the one playing SoC. Additional gameplay-changing mini-mods are included for your convenience, but these are not enabled by default. Examples include a sleeping bag, AI tweaks and additional side quests, enemies, items and weapons. Special note: The AI tweaks in ZRP 1.09 XR3a do not yet have xStream's and Rulix/bak's AI additions, except for the Grenadier mod. It is hoped that the remainder of the AI enhancements will be provided in a subsequent release after being adapted to work with the new code base and tested. WARNING: The 1.09 version of the mod is NOT (that's NOT) mod-friendly due to the nature of the extensive changes. You should not install this mod without reading through this file completely and heeding the cautions it presents. The ONLY mods that MIGHT be compatible with this ZRP are those that don't have a gamedata\scripts\ folder (graphics mods, reskin mods), or have no scripts in common with ZRP (weather mods, some sound mods). As always, this is a work in progress. The experimental nature of this particular release might reveal issues in testing that may require undoing one or more changes. The UI is very subject to change in the near future. The docs have not all been checked for this update. Your feedback is important in helping us refine this release. Why is ZRP 1.09 not "mod-friendly"? The changes are pervasive, extensive, and confusing to mod mergers, be they human or smart software. That is even more evident in the serious rewrite of the script code in the 1.09 releases. In earlier versions, we consolidated weapon and armor text data, moving it to the files best suited for it. (One suit of armor was described in a multiplayer support file.) I did this to permit the easier configuration of items. There are also massive changes to quite a few of the game's systems. The task manager, the respawner, the camp manager and the NPC chatter mechanism have been seriously revised; a comparison of vanilla and ZRP versions will flag almost everything as changed. And there are some removals of useless or broken code, like NPC schemes, which a mod merger might put back in. Not good. There is a replacement ui_icon_equipment.dds file which supports the fixed soldier suit, an easier-to-distinguish pseudodog tail, and a few common mini-mods like the ABC sleeping bag mod, Save's Carry Mod, and Decane's Quest Overhaul mod, as well as the Artifact Swap mini-mod. But many other mods have their own versions of this file, and they will not be compatible. How "vanilla" is the result if we've made so many changes? To better satisfy the "pure vanilla" aficionados, recent ZRP versions are more vanilla than their predecessors. If you are used to the ZRP tweaks, you will have to re-enable most of them. There is also a Vanilla.cfg configuration for use with the optional Modifier program to restore even more of the original behavior, including some exploits. The annoying NPC chatter is back as of ZRP 1.07. It should be much more tolerable with the new NPC Chatter Control feature. You can still disable certain sound annoyances with the Modifier utility. ===================================== Purposes of this modification: ===================================== Fix the script engine and configuration bugs where possible. Address known limitations of the game as much as possible. Correct English language errors and sense. Increase useability and add functionality. Minimize the micromanagement and mouse movement in the game. Provide a basis for other mods. ===================================== Requirements: ===================================== STALKER Shadow of Chernobyl installed and patched to at least version 1.0004. Versions 1.0005 and 1.0006 work as well. Steam currently uses patch 1.0006. This version is currently packaged for English. Running with another language might result in some items and tasks showing reference names instead of the actual text. Work has been done for internationalization and other languages will be directly supported in a future version. There is more work coming, primarily improved documentation. ===================================== Notable ZRP 1.09 features added since ZRP 1.07 R5RC: ===================================== * New death manager to prevent the occasional CTD from NPCs dying while reloading, a CTD made worse by patch 1.0006. * Tweaks for lower memory usage, faster script execution. * Outfit workaround for third-person views. (Shadows, NatVac) * ZaGaR's fonts.ltx for better widescreen support. (ZaGaR) * More Modifier configuration changes. (MrSeyker and NatVac) * More bug fixes: NatVac, castl, MrSeyker, uds0, AMK Team ===================================== Notable ZRP 1.07 features added since ZRP 1.05 Test R10: ===================================== * Better UI support, especially for widescreen. (MrSeyker) * Better 1.0006 compatibility. (NatVac, bamah) * No more sticky location markers. (Mr. Fusion) * Improved task/LC marker management. (Mr. Fusion, NatVac) * All underground task/secret markers visible. (NatVac) * Level-unique autosaves. (NatVac) * New level changers added as you go. (NatVac) * Permanent radiation bug cured with save/reload. (NatVac) * Psi-emission effects correctly maintained on saves. (NatVac) * Improved respawn management (RPM 1.1). (NatVac) * Improved camp management. (NatVac) * Improved stealth across saves, a tiny bit. (NatVac) * New NPC chatter control and sound management. (NatVac) * Cases/crates have improved item spawning behavior. (NatVac) * Esc, F5 or Esc, F6 level-based quicksave. (NatVac) * ZRP Support Utilities for spawning/troubleshooting. (NatVac) * Debug support greatly enhanced. (NatVac) * More than twice as many Modifier entries. (NatVac) * Many, MANY more bugs squashed.* (various contributors**) * Sleeping bag, AIPack, Rulix options. (see below) *Please see docs\ZRP_Changes_*.txt files for details. Modders should also see the docs\diffs_for_modders\ subdirectory files. ===================================== Included mods: ===================================== Non-optional: * bardak's "Patch 1.0004 bug fix attempt" (the mod's foundation) * Widescreen inventory tweak (nandersen/notanumber) * PSZ-7 soldier outfit support (ZaGaR and Storm Shadow State) * Bug-fix parts of jrmy's New Weapon Positions (jrmy, MrSeyker) Optional, enabled by default: * Autosaves are now renamed or copied for each level (NatVac) * Dynamically-added Level Changers (NatVac from bardak/IG2007) * EggChen's revamped particles.xr (remove if you want to use his Particle Enhancement mod) * The Zone Is Open, with free play (NatVac with TSL16b dialogs) * Intra-level Teleport (NatVac) * HUD Time-of-day (NatVac) * Better Inventory/Trade/Search Screens (NatVac) -- more below * Longer Quest Time Limits, Etc. (NatVac) * NPC Chatter Control (NatVac) * Respawner Control (NatVac) (can't remove but can disable) * Show Reward Mini Mod v1.03 for ZRP (onionradish) * Unwanted Side Task Rejection (NatVac) * WideScreen Inventory Size (Raw) Optional, not enabled by default: * Stalkers Are Not Blind (Red75, with NatVac tweaks) * Dunin Ammo Aggregation (IG2007) * Screw (Freedom) Repair (NatVac from Shebuka idea) * Captain Ivantsov (Duty) Repair (NatVac/Mr. Fusion from BobBQ solution to a motiv-8 suggestion) * Explosives Carry (NatVac from NoMore info) * Fire Dynamic Lighting Support (EggChen) * Freedom Vs. Duty (MrSeyker) * GP37 (G36) with grenade and silencer support (SiriusStarr) * Real Gun Names (MrSeyker) * Quest Overhaul (Decane with NatVac update), with icon image * The MonoMartyrs Seek Revenge (NatVac) * Artifact Swap (NatVac) * Outfit Protection Info (NatVac) * MP5 retexture, for a special weapon (Warpig) * No Head-Bobbing (PiIsARational via Paddywak) * Sleeping Bag (Speed/Ab@dDon/fatrap/NatVac) * AIPack (xStream tweaked by ZaGar, NatVac, BobBQ) * xStream's Grenadier (adapted by ZaGaR) * Rulix (Bak) AI Additions (adapted by NatVac/BobBQ) * Trade/Search Screen improvements (NatVac, fitzroy_doll) * ZRP Debug (NatVac) * ZRP Support Utilities (NatVac) The Modifier program (NatVac) is an optional executable provided to allow the easy configuration of many aspects of the game. There are over 120 entries with one to five configurable items each, distributed among fifteen configuration files. To see how to configure the game without the Modifier please read the Modifier's documentation. ===================================== Indications: ===================================== For use by modders, experimenters, and folks who want essentially vanilla but don't want to stop playing. Not for use by Nymlits. May be modded as needed, but care must be exercised. No warranty is expressed or implied. Discontinue use if irritation develops. FPS fans: Start with the Modifier's FirstPersonShooter.cfg. Also consider the Alt1 actor.ltx in the Actor.cfg configuration. Find more tweaks in the _custom_items.ltx and unique_items.ltx files; details in Tweakables.txt in the docs\ subdirectory. If the early-game "bullet sponges" feeling bothers you, read: http://www.metacognix.com/stlkrsoc/WhatYouKnowThatAintSo.html -- see the part about guns. ===================================== New to the ZRP? ===================================== * * * * First Time Players, Please Note * * * * If this is your first time playing STALKER, you should re-enable some vanilla features to know why they were disabled in the first place. The ZRP has a few default settings to reduce the complaints many make and to enhance the game experience without changing gameplay. However, you might want to suffer a bit first. To get almost pure vanilla out of this version of the ZRP, run the Modifier program. Select the Vanilla.cfg configuration from the dropdown combobox in the upper left. Click on each entry in the left-hand list, click the Default button for that entry, then click Apply. Do that for every entry except the "Trade and Search Screens" entry; for that one select the "Vanilla Screens" radio button and click Apply. Before adding any external mini-mods, you should first check to see if there is an option to do what you want already in the ZRP package. Examples include the abilities to disable or reduce head bobbing, use real gun names, get weapon and outfit repairs, modify quest time limits (and much more), change carry weight capacity, view outfit statistics before you buy, use a sleeping bag, etc. Please read other ZRP documents as well; there are useful tips mentioned there. If you are using an existing vanilla save, consider docs\Vanilla_AllSpawn_with_ZRP.txt (some spoilers) to see what differences you might be encountering versus starting a new game with the ZRP. If you have a crash or other problem, please see the other text files in the gamedata\docs\ subdirectory first to help you resolve the problem. ===================================== If Starting a New Game: ===================================== I highly recommend turning off the radiation whiteout effect. See the Radiation Whiteout entry in the Modifier's _ZRP configuration. If this is not your first game, examine the options in the New Game Tweaks entry in the same configuration which can save you some time. Almost all of the Modifier-configurable entries can be changed at any time. See the Modifier's documentation for details. ===================================== Installation instructions: ===================================== You do NOT need to start a new game if installing this over a vanilla (unmodded) game (version 1.0004 or later), or if you were using a previous version of the ZRP. The sole exception might be an incompatibility with a previous Quest Overhaul version in ZRP 1.05 Test R10. If you did not use it, you should be okay. If you did, I strongly recommend starting a new game and using TZIO to recreate your existing game. NOTE: There are significant changes in ZRP 1.09 that may not be fully compatible with saves other than autosaves. If you have any trouble loading any save made in a previous vanilla or ZRP game, please let us know. SMM is not supported due to the numerous complex changes. Manual installation: It is strongly suggested that you first rename any current gamedata\ subdirectory (if there is one in your STALKER installation directory from a prior mod) to avoid any UAC or virtual store problems. Do this even if the only other mod was an earlier version of the ZRP. Step 1: Drag/drop the gamedata\ directory in the ZRP 1.09 XR3a archive into your STALKER installation directory. You can NO LONGER easily merge any changes you made to an older version of the ZRP with 1.09 XR3a. It is suggested that you compare your modded version with the unchanged ZRP base version you were using, then merge those changes into the new ZRP. Don't forget to copy over your _custom_zrp.script from the older version; it is still compatible. At this point, copy over your Pripyat garages fix: gamedata\levels\l11_pripyat\level from your older ZRP installation if you used SoCPUP to fix them. Or you can just rerun SoCPUP's _PripyatLevelFix.bat again. Also highly recommended: Use the SoC sound fixes file gamedata.dbb_sounds available from the ZRP website. A future release may incorporate both files in the ZRP. If you were using graphics, weather or sound mods (maybe) you can also merge them with ZRP 1.09 XR3a. ZRP is not suitable for merging with big mods unless you are an experienced modder. Don't try to merge this mod with STALKER Complete (it already has a version of the ZRP) or any other mod like Autumn Aurora 2.1 (already has ZRP) or any overhaul mod (examples: LURK, AMK, RMA) because IT WON'T WORK. Before you merge ZRP with small mods or mini-mods, check to see if that functionality is already available as a ZRP option. Step 2: If you have not installed any mods previously, you should edit fsgame.ltx and change any occurrence of "false" on the second line to "true" (without the quotes) and save your change. The line will look like this when you are finished: $game_data$ = true| true| $fs_root$| gamedata\ Step 3: Finally, use the Modifier program or follow the info in the Modifier config files to adapt the game to your preferences. The number of choices has more than doubled since ZRP 1.05 R10. You can find the help text files in gamedata\modcfg\. They can also be read from within the program. Verify installation: The game's version as reported on the main menu should now include ZRP 1.09 XR3a. ===================================== Uninstallation: ===================================== Just delete or rename the gamedata subdirectory. Note that all saves made with this version of the ZRP will not be compatible with vanilla or other mods without ZRP support. ===================================== ZRP 1.09 In-Game Main Menu functions: ===================================== While in game, momentarily press Esc to return to the main menu. There you can execute these additional functions: S - Save a quick named save, of the form "levelname_datestamp". This is the same as the "Quick named save" button. F6 (or F5) - Save a level snapshot, essentially a level-based quicksave named "levelname_snapshot". Unlike the Esc S save, these will overwrite any existing "levelname_snapshot" files. This one is highly recommended, as it permits a named save for each level, so if your quicksave has a problem, you can always load a save from another level. Both of the above can have custom prefixes to identify your games. See the New Game Tweaks entry in the Modifier's _ZRP configuration. T - This brings up the dialog for TZIO (The Zone Is Open) chapter selection. You can advance your progress in the game at any time, or start free play by completing all the tasks. See docs\TheZoneIsOpen.txt for details. J - This opens the Intra-level Jump facility for quick travel across the level. Read docs\TheZoneIsOpen.txt for info. F1 - If the feature is enabled (default), this injects the Marked One with an antirad dose if one is available in your inventory. The following are not enabled by default: D - If ZRP debug is enabled, this enables the display of debugging info on screen, as well as serving as a priming key for various debug functions. You can fix problems, teleport through doors, view damage info on NPCs/mutants as you shoot them, store all loose weapons on bodies, pull stuff out of the ground, remove anomalies, add level changers, remotely search NPC/mutant bodies and grab their contents, speed up/slow down time, determine NPC health and heal the walking wounded, bump hidden bodies and crates out of the ground, jump to bodies and wounded, teleport to rooftops or below the level, etc., etc. See docs\DebugSupportChanges.txt. Z - If the feature is enabled, you will see the ZRP Support Utilities (ZSU) dialog, AKA The Modolith Wish Granter. If the corresponding z_*.script files are copied up from the optional\ subdirectory (you can use the Modifier's SupportUtilities configuration to do this), you can do the following: * Spawn stuff, even an invulnerability artifact that you can equip in bad situations, then remove for normal play. No need for a trainer. * Execute script commands inside the game. Set variables, run functions, and even watch their values change on the HUD in the game. * Repair broken doors: the door to Sid the Cordon trader, the Dark Valley doors (to X18, Shaggy's cell, bandit armory), the Yantar scientist's bunker doors, as well as rarer instances of broken doors on other levels. If they keep breaking, you can simply remove them. * Repair weapons and armor, force NPC bodies to yield secrets, mark NPCs and items in your PDA (can help you find the Storming Obokan/Abakan), give yourself money, set/reset info_portions, join or leave certain factions, patch up faction relationships -- even in the Bar -- and become friends with them if desired, and more. The ZSU stuff is recommended for emergencies or mod development only, as it can seriously affect you or your game to the point of corrupting either or both. Save before using a feature! Install only what you need via the Modifier. For instructions, see docs\ZRP_SupportUtilities_Manual.txt. ===================================== **Credits: ===================================== The seminal "bug fix attempt", the foundation for the ZRP, was created by bardak. ZRP "enhancements and additional fixes" authors, contributors, and troubleshooters include: Alex-Tommy, AMK Team, Antarctico, artistpavel, bamah, bardak, barin, BobBQ, Cpt. Borovich, castl, DC-, Decane, dezodor, Don Reba (including LTX Checker corrections), easy peasy, Eggchen, ERForman, fatrap, fitzroy_doll, IG2007, jrmy (for some weapon positions), Kosmokrator, Lijenstina, lowenz, motiv-8, Mr. Fusion, MrSeyker, notanumber (nandersen), NatVac, omero, onionradish (for Show Reward minimod), PiIsARational (for initial head-bob fix), Racemate, Raw, Red75 (for SANB), Riddle, rkr5, romulous, Russo (russao), Rulix/Bak (for Rulix AI), Shadows, silverpower, SiriusStarr, Snowball (Simple Snow), Storm Shadow, TSL16b, uds0, Victim, weidrik, XiaNi, xStream (for AIPack), ZaGaR (latific), zambien Language support so far provided by Alex-Tommy, Claysoft'65, and lowenz, although the language stuff is not yet finished. If your name is missing from the list, please let me know so that I can correct the omission. See the ZRP_Changes_*.txt files in the gamedata\docs\ subdirectory for specifics on contributions. You'll note that some have made significant contributions to this project. I would also like to thank the following for their comments, public posts, feedback and/or other useful input: -=Grunt=-, 300000, 5 Shots 1 Kill, Acolyte, Afterburnzz, Allianxor, Alundaio, Amgot, Anaphiel, angrydog, anphrax, arnoldx, Atrocious, Audioave10, BAC9-FLCL, Bangalore, Beebee, belizarius, bennisboy, Bjossi, BoltZ, Brood_98, BuddieBBB, busetibi, Capt.Host, Cathmelar, Ceano, CJDavE, Claysoft'65, cyberdaemon, Daemonion, Darius6, Darkh4, datoo, DevochkaApokalipsisa, dex, digitalAngst, Dimitroff, Doggy, DooMike, Dragunov, Drake, Eric the fish, ExoStalker, Exo-4UZ, fellow, fishy_joe, fiznerpin1962, fluffy22/SetaKat, ford_racer, Fredy, FreeKiller, Fulcrum, gannebamm, gl25nn, Gman, Gr1ph00n, Grisha Plodder, Grump642, Handyman454, Hannibal Rex, HardcoreGamer63, hawk318, hawkworldwide, Iggy Hazard, JBottcher, Jketiynu, Kane4, Kanyhalos, Kimmuriel, Koki, kringle185, Krubarax, Kyodan, llama man, LoboTheMan, Lowpro18, Lyoko774, mart dms, MarteenDee, MattyDienhoff, Max Chill, Melodic, MiNoSwe, mnn, Mr_Molecule, MtOMajorCat0311, Musky Melon, narr, Nightwatch, Niphty, NoMore, OldMadMoose, oldman, Paul Jay, pepe_84, Pesen, Petrov, PhoenixHeart, raf256, ras2, reaver2, Redrick Schuhart, RK Roadkill, Robberbaron, RoboMook, rockingmtranch, Ru Team, SacriPan, Saint_Stan, Serensius, Sevis, ShadowWolf, shiningfury, Siro, smoq2, Spaceghost, Steelyglint, Stierlitz, Stolls, stormbringer951, sunzi, Tariq, Tejas Stalker, TeJJZ, Teratoma, therawdeal, Three Mile Island, TKGP, Toasteroven, tsiros, Tzaechireon, udm, utak3r, v1ld, Victory By Default, Viktor Berg, Vintar, Wolfehunter, wolfsblut_, wrathloki, xRatx, yellow_helicopter, zodden, Zone Addict, zZz1, {imperialreign} Please note that some may have changed their name and/or gender since their addition to the lists. Some of you on the lists have greatly encouraged me and I am pleased to consider you true friends, since you would help me move bodies. :) The SMM-compatible icon image was contributed by nandersen. Special thanks go to bardak and Niphty (who started it), ERForman and romulous (who kept it going) and my lovely, smart and vivacious wife (who let me live to finish this). :) ===================================== License: ===================================== The major portion of this work is copyrighted by GSC Game World, and is included here by their sufferance with the understanding that it will only be used with a legally-licensed copy of "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl". You are free to use this mod or portions of it for any non-profit use as long as you give credit to the party or parties responsible for the portions you use. It would be a kind consideration to your mod's users to include the associated documentation and/or details on where they can obtain ZRP info. ===================================== A special "heads up" notice: ===================================== ** This is a work in progress! ** Features are subject to change. Be part of the creative process and contribute your thoughts in the appropriate threads on the GSC forum site. You can even contribute scripts if they are useful or just cool. Please report all bugs and make suggestions in the Mod Discussion section at the GSC forum: http://www.gsc-game.com/index.php?t=community&s=forums&s_game_type=xr&lang=en As of this release, the ZRP mod is discussed in the "ZRP - A joint effort in fixing S.T.A.L.K.E.R." thread there: http://www.gsc-game.com/main.php?t=community&s=forums&s_game_type=xr&thm_id=11786&sec_id=16 Enjoy or let me know why you didn't at this GSC forum thread. --NatVac, 2018/09/22