Q. What is the origin of TK?
A. Believe it or not, TK in the very beginning started out as a simple weapons mod. The more I changed things however, the more I noticed just how messed up vanilla SoC is.
Q. Why doesn't TK have a actual asphalt texture like other mods?
A. I always hated the "lead the player by the nose" feeling the asphalt texture gives. That bloody road is there from beginning to end and always impresses the feeling of the player shouldn't deviate from it. So I ttry to encourage the player to explore more by blemishing out the road and using a texture thats much more natural to the surroundings while not looking too out of place in a area you would expect to find a road, such as Pripyat itself.
Q. TK seems pretty complete to me, why do you keep releasing TK as a beta?
A. Until I can implement, test, and change everything I want to TK will be released as a beta. Once I have changed everything I feel needs changing, then it will get that fabled "final" tag.
Q. Why do you persist with TK all by yourself?
A. Determination, and a strong feeling SoC was done a huge injustice by GSC and THQ. I will make SoC the game it should of been on release without harming the existing story.
Q. Why isn't there freeplay in TK?
A. Theres no point. Once you make the decision to go to the Chernobyl NPP you have more than likely already decided you want to actually complete SoC. Adding a portal back to Cordon would only serve a purpose for players who want to randomly wander around killing, and you can do that anyway. I have however added a level changer at the NPP so even if you enter that level, all you need to do is turn around and run to the gate and you can head back to Pripyat.
Q. Whats with the level changer in Cordon where you find the modified bandit suit quest item?
A. That level changer is a shortcut to the Dark Valley. While you can enter from there at the beginning of the game instead of heading straight to the Garbage (for the most part going to the Garbage the "wrong way around" will not have any impact, some tasks you will just get early and others in reverse order) the main reason for the level changer is to give the player more freedom by making Cordon, Garbage, and Dark Valley more accessible.
Q. What kind of PC do I need to run TK with all the beauty TK has to offer at maximum?
A. For the most part a PC with a Quad Core CPU and fairly high level GPU (GTX560Ti 448 or better) will let you run TK with almost everything at maximum. However, if you are having thoughts about using the user.ltx file that enables 128 photon Global Illumination don't even try unless you have AT LEAST a heavily overclocked Quad Core CPU (4.5GHz+), high frequency low latency memory (at least 1866MHz 8-8-8-25) and a heavily OC'd GTX590 or equivillent. The reason for this is that the GI used in SoC is extremely demanding. TK looks gorgeous with 128 photon Global Illumination, but you need a real powerhouse of a PC to try and run it.
Q. Will TK eventually include any new levels?
A. Maybe. However my scripting knowledge is limited so new levels would simply act as a new place to explore and be a giant killing field with no quests. Should I find enough time and help from others adding new levels would almost be a certainty.
Q. How long have you been developing TK?
A. At this point in time, probably around 4 years.
Q. How many files / textures etc have been changed / edited for TK?
A. At this time, about 23,900 files in rougly 2350 folders.
Q. Is TK starting to shape into what you feel the game should of been on release yet?
A. With the release of the next beta, visually and in most gameplay elements, yes. I'll still have new spawns to add when the next beta is released but overall the mod is finally starting to shape together beautifully.
Q. How stable is TK?
A. Extremely. I don't know of a single issue save for some vanilla unfixable issues that causes stalker to CTD.
Q. To just what extent have you modified Stalker?
A. This is tricky to answer because I've modified and changed so much. Probably the most straightforward answer I can give is in some way or another with the exception of the levels themselves everything has been changed in some way.
Q. Whats with the "K.E.T." part in the mod name?
A. The "K.E.T." part is coincidence and has nothing to do with ego. The "K.E.T." bit simply stands for Kill Em Twice!.
Q. Lastly, how long will you continue to develop TK for?
A. I will continue to develop TK for as long as I feel necessary.
