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S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Glows With Chernobyl Radioactive Link
Thanks to Eurogamer for its coverage of a THQ-sponsored press trip to Russia to preview GSC's forthclming PC first-person shooter. Since the game is "based on the premise that you've gone to explore the 20km 'exclusion zone' of Chernobyl", this has led to some odd preview publicity, as the writer notes: "When they invited us on a cheery tour to go and see Chernobyl for fun, we knew something had gone awry in our lives. Stranger still, during the press conference to promote the much anticipated mutate 'em up S.T.A.L.K.E.R, they wheeled one of the men responsible for the tragedy. I didn't know whether to laugh or throw things." There's also an interview with one of the developers on Eurogamer regarding this September-bound title, but it's concluded that S.T.A.L.K.E.R, with its impressive visuals, is "...shaping up to be one of the scariest, most original takes on the increasingly tired FPS genre."
Stalker was a 1979 Film by Russian Director Andrei Tarkovsky. It is loosely based on a novella called Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky.
Incredible stuff and I highly recommend it. It is the first thing I thought of when I saw Elena's first set of pictures. If you get a chance to see it, do so--but be warned, it is very long and very slow. If you are a fan of film worth checking out. If you only go see films with pyrotechnics, take a pass.
We had Iodine in our salt in Sweden long before Chernobyl. A few seconds in Google confirms this: The Iodine is added to prevent a serious medical condition (iodine deficiency leading to endemic goiter), it's not due to radiation poisoning, even though Iodine (in higher doses) could be used to help prevent damage to the thyroid gland in case of a nuclear accident. Inhabitants living nearby Swedish reactors were issued Iodine pills to stockpile before the reactors were started.
Money for nothing, pix for free
Iodized salt has been in use in the US since the 1920s. It was originally intended to prevent goiters, it started in Michigan in 1924 and spread throughout the country.
http://www.saltinstitute.org/37.html
Q.
Well I was born in Kiev and my 18th birthday is this Thursday. Yes, it had impact on my life, but of course I'm not old enough to remember anything. We (my family) moved to our relatives in another country and stayed there for a few years. ;) and play without any hesitation or bad feelings. The press trip is also IMHO ok, maybe somewhat strange because it could be dangerous. Just keep in mind that this is my personal opinion and some might disagree.
Anyway, I don't see anything bad or wrong with the game, I'll buy it (or d/l if I get my DSL back
Well I'm Ukrainian and I'm proud to see that a Ukrainian development team put together such an impressive looking game. Ukraine has had a lot of difficulties, it has a struggling economy and a corrupt government. I think it's great to see Ukrainian programmmers creating an original game about Ukraine instead of being exploited by rich countries doing outsourcing.