Build 1844

The Build 1844 is a pre-beta build of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl. The build was presented for first time during February 2004.

Levels

'present_military'

This level can be started via batch file named 'present_military.bat' located in the main directory of the build.

The level features an area that has became to be known as Army Warehouses in the final release of Shadow of Chernobyl.

Encounters

The area is a lush place, heavily populated by Blind dogs (up to four variations), Pseudodogs, Fleshes, Crows and in lesser extent with Boars and Bloodsuckers. Zombified stalkers and Mercenaries are also featured. One Mi-24 helicopter regularly patrols the area.

Places

Derelict Military base (where the player starts), Abandoned farmstead and Bloodsucker village are easily distinguishable locations.

Storyline

The gameplay is tied up with a simple storyline, which involves the player to help a critically wounded stalker to retrieve stolen artifact called 'Mercury Ball' from an enemy Mercenary (referred as 'Dog') and bring it to the trader located in the middle of the area in an underground bunker to the southeast from the Blooduscker village.

Anomalies

Burnt Fuzz and Electros can be encountered. Around the edges of the level area are located special types of 'anomalies', which purpose is probably to prevent the player leaving the area by throwing him back to the area.

Equipment

Items that can be obtained: AK-74; Scope; Silencer; Grenade launcher; Fort-12; VSS Vintorez; RPG; Detector; Torch; TOZ Shotgun; VOG-25P grenade;

Music

The build features two ambient tracks playing during the gameplay:

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Ambience #2 (8:32)
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Battle Exp Loop (2:05)

According to the file description, both of these tracks were composed by an artist known as MooZe, who latter composed several songs for S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl soundtrack.

'present_ragdoll'

This level can be started via batch file named 'present_ragdoll.bat' located in the main directory of the build.

Technical info

The build doesn't feature main menu.
The build features a dynamic weather system.
The build tends to crash very often, mostly when running the "Military Warehouses" level.