Second.

So, here we are. Knee-deep in development. All of the notebooks, all of the old files, scraps of paper with notes made in the middle of your day job or middle of the night are all coming together. Or so I'd like to think. It should be easy, since there is so much work has been already done, but its anything but. At first, you see how long and difficult this journey has been. Then you see all of the previous concepts that either did not worked, or got scrapped midway. It's heavy toll. But necessary. We, at Star Wolfs Studio, are perfectionist. That means only one thing: all difficult concepts must be easy to explain and understand to players. 

For example, if read FAQ you'll know that STALCKER runs on combination of d12 and custom d8 dice. What you don't know, that until current version of rules, d12 was used primarily as tool for random effect generation on a table. In fact it was doing same job as 2d6 does in every other game. The core of mechanics was working on custom d8, which in many aspects is similar to X-Wing gold die [merge of red attack and green defense die]. All interaction were made by rolling your bucket of dice against the opposing bucket of dice, and then modifying your result to win or lose. In quick board game, where number of dice is limited to a maximum of 5, that works well. But when you have a more than 8 dice on both sides, it becomes a slog and draws players attention away from game to dice fiddling. That was not my goal as a designer. So something has to be changed. 

In my "research" I suddenly rediscovered two old but still great games: DnD and Space Hulk. In my opinion, Dungeons and Dragons, despite 5 or more editions, is still a very convoluted system. However, it still manages to present your efforts in a very quick an simple roll of d20. How "realistic" your chances of victory or defeat is open to debate, but system determines it by opposing roll of d20. In fact, system does not care for your preparation or other input: its all in the dice. 

Space Hulk is another source of pain and inspiration: there roll of d6 is a life or death question for each and every one of your characters. The tension of that game is built on two major pillars: uncertainty of situation, and uncertainty of roll. Unless you play as Genestealers, you never know the real strength and position of your enemy. And each and every missed shot or blow will have most grave consequences for your team. Luckily, new version of Space hulk allows for die roll modification and limited support, but still retains that fear of rolling "1", when you needed "6" to stay alive. Again, the very limits of die, are used to speed up decisions and their outcomes. 

So where is d12 coming? Good question. I'm glad you asked. 

In current rules, d12 is a main die used in every test you make during the game. To make resolution faster, you always know your success threshold. Even if you fail on the roll, you still can modify it using results from "Effect dice". Then all you have to do is compare results: win-win, win-lose, lose-lose, is all available options. But what about Critical success? Its still a Win result. But with benefits. 

  

In order to conclude designers ramblings: the test should be simple, easy to understand. But it should reinforce other mechanics of the game. Lets hope that play testing this version of STALCKER will show that it works. 

Sincerely yours,
P.S.



        

Duty: Tchernobyl Fire & Rescue Service

Archive entry: FL001

Faction: ITZIF Fire and Rescue Service contractors

Status: Active

Area of application: ITZIF private sub-contractor specializing in fire prevention, fire termination, emergency first aid, rescue operation inside Exclusion Zone, aid to sub-contractors in case of emergency events, radiation monitoring and control, radioactive and other hazardous material containment.

Registered entity: Tchernobyl Fire & Rescue LTD, Kiev, Ukraine.

License Registration number: [REDACTED]

Operational status: active since 14/03/2025

When first Tchernobyl disaster has happened, it was firefighter who were first to respond. They fought raging nuclear fire with little protection or thoughts about their own lives. They knew that with their every second, with every effort counted if humanity had any hopes of extinguishing the flames of disaster. To commemorate their bravery a monument in inside the first Exclusion Zone has been erected, both to commemorate and hope that similar tragedy would not occur again.

Unfortunately, on 2^nd of October 2019 disaster has struck again. In the beginning it was believed to be meteor strike that ignited the forests around Pripyat and Tchernobyl, However after several hundreds of square miles of forest fires, raised radioactivity levels in both air, water and ground around as well as electromagnetic interference of unknown origins it was clear that it was something more than just meteor.

The crisis and its effects became global concern, and despite protest from current government in Kiev, US, Russia, China and Germany has sent its troops and rescue specialist to stop the spread of effects of another disaster. Initial joint commission was organized under the banner of United Nations and was called United Nations Force for Tchernobyl Zone Isolation. During its short operational span, this intergovernmental body was transformed into ITZIF: International Tchernobyl Zone Isolation Force, with strong emphasis on private ventures operating under contracts from ITZIF.

One of the first private security firms to win and maintain contract was new company, called Tchernobyl Fire and Rescue Services LTD (TRFS Ltd). Comprised with former firefighters of Tchernobyl, equipped with mostly obsolete Russian firefighting vehicles and with substantial financial support from several benefactors outside of Ukraine, this company provided the best cost/efficiency offer to the crisis. Currently TRFS remains integral part of international efforts in preventing most dangerous effect of Exclusion Zone from spreading. They have permanent bases in 6 out of 12 major bases of Exclusion Zone Perimeter, and operate several outposts inside of the Zone.

Their main operations include fire-fighting both inside and outside Exclusion Zone, fire safety of Security forces, prevention works and forest monitoring. Today their ranks include one of the most skilled firefighter in the world with outstanding training base, equipment and experience. All TRFS operators have licence for firearms and allowed concealed carry inside Perimeter.

Majority of firefighters still come from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus. Company has adopted a insignia with motto: “Honour, Duty, Victory!” (Честь, Долг, Победа!) which signifies its unique a very high esprit-de corps. Contractors work in a very close-nit teams, facing both daily training and dangerous assignments as one cohesive unit. Majority of units are male only, on a basis that female operators are rare and commonly delegated to support roles in the company. In its over 20 years of service with UTZIF many members of TRFS have been awarded for performing beyond the call of duty, sometimes posthumously. It also must be noted the very high percentage of operators that claim to be part of Christian Church (Russian Orthodox Church in particular).

Equipment:

Most commons set of fire-fighting equipment consists of:

Light helmet with flash light, gas mask with oxygen tank and supply for 2,5 hours, multi layered robe with high-visibility stripes, light kevlar inserts and fire resistance layer, axe, heavy protected gloves, fire resistant pants, heavy boots, climbing set, personal medical kit, 9 mm pistol with at least two magazines, assorted tools, fire extinguisher of mission depending type (water, powder, CO2), filtered water canteen of 1 litre capacity.

Vehicles:

TRFS using several types of ground vehicles for its needs. Most common type is a 4x4 pick-up truck adopted as general purpose vehicle for transporting cargo and people outside of danger zones. The also used as first aid response trucks.

Jeeps, are common name for former military vehicles such as HMMWV or GAZ-2330 “Tiger”. They provide increased personnel protection from various NBC factors present in the Exclusion Zone.

Specialised fire-fighting trucks based on 6x6 and 4x6 vehicles are assigned to every outpost of TRFS, and are core of fleet. There several different types in services, but all are capable to carry several tonnes of water, water cannon, water pump and may use chemicals during fire-fighting.

Heavy engineering vehicles, boats and helicopters are commonly used under agreement with other sub-contractors of ITZIF.

First.

It difficult to begin.
It seems easier when someone else have already traveled the same path before you. Makes you feel safer, I guess.
But this path, this game takes me into the realms, others have not traversed same way as I am going to. STALCKER has been in my development logs for almost a decade now. Since that fateful game from GSC, to mods made by others, to Role-play written by Ville Vourella, to other games taking it to fast paced table-top skirmish game...

Why, my Stalker is different?

It changes focus from those who scavenge, loot, trespass and sell gifts of the Zone to highest bidder to people how fight on the frontline of dangerous Zone effects like forest fires, psi-emission, radioactive rains, and common crime. Medics, scientists, police officers, firefighters, rescue workers, combat engineers, security personnel, supply truck drivers.

Its not glamours, but is it less important? I shall let you be the judge. But, fear not: those stalckers who travel into the unknown are still part of the world I'm building. Just one of the many parts.

That was First.

P.Sh.