S.T.A.L.K.E.R., part three

Our in-depth interview with GSC on its long-awaited game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. concludes today as the developer's senior PR manager Oleg Yavorsky fills us in on missions, factions, AI, multiplayer,the mysterious "blowout" phenomenon,and more. Read part one of the interview here, and part two here if you missed them.

Can you tell us about the "blowout" phenomenon?

Yavorsky: This is a major, deadly energy shockwave coming from the center of the Zone and followed by insanely bright flashes of light, thunder, lightning and other visual effects. What causes the Blowouts is one of the mysteries the player needs to reveal in the game.

We've seen the Dealer, an NPC you meet at the start of the game who's your kind of mentor and gives you missions. What other key NPCs, if any, are we going to meet in the game?

Yavorsky: There are a few other key ones, such as the Barman, a scientist and grouping leaders.

Do all the main missions come from the Dealer? And how do we pick up sub-missions?

Yavorsky: The Dealer is not the only one to give the player missions and quests. Other key NPCs can do this too.