There's a strong horror element to the game, right?

Yavorsky: Absolutely. To create a truly 'warning' kind of a game we tried to create a 'what if' Chernobyl story, using real facts and rumours, but applying a good deal of imagination on top (such as mutants, deadly anomalies etc.). S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is a spooky game, no doubt.

What can you tell us about the game's RPG-style elements?

Yavorsky: As opposed to the modern understanding of the RPG term, we tried to focus on the classic role-playing side of the matter, i.e. each player can play a certain role of his liking in the game. The key idea is, as in real life, by playing a certain role in the game you will provoke the correspondent reaction of the surrounding society. For example, being greedy, helpful to stalkers in need or being evil to everyone will affect the reactions and attitude of other NPCs in the game. Moreover, the way you play the game will affect the ending you reach.

Among other standard RPG elements are communication with NPCs, inventory with item management, item trading and exchange, collecting information and more. What the game doesn't provide for, though, is level-ups - the player will have to develop skills of his own, rather than those of his character in the game.

Check back in soon for the next part of our interview with Oleg on S.T.A.L.K.E.R.