Free-to-Play MMOFPS STALCRAFT: X Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Huge Game World Overhaul

EXBO :

It’s been 10 years since Indie developer EXBO released its first version of the Free-to-Play MMOFPS title STALCRAFT: X, the largest online game set in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Over this time, the team has worked closely with the players and community to continually deliver challenging, action-packed PvP and PvE gameplay filled with mutants and other anomalies, either alone or with friends. In honour of this impressive anniversary, EXBO has released the most extensive overhaul in STALCRAFT: X’s history - the Day X update. 
Having been referred to as Minecraft meets S.T.A.L.K.E.R., STALCRAFT: X is the most popular online shooter set in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. With almost 50k ‘Mostly Positive’ reviews on Steam, the game has a thriving community of dedicated players experiencing this MMOFPS open-world subgenre that combines open-world exploration, RPG elements and a dynamic shooter component. On the Day X update launch, STALCRAFT: X saw over 50,000 concurrent players in the Zone! 

The team has released a special Day X Update trailer to showcase the new graphics revamp. The trailer features a gameworld flythrough packed with new locations, characters, and enemies and a soundtrack by Hollywood musician Jean-Pierre Taïeb. 



Watch the STALCRAFT: X 10th Anniversary Day X Update official trailer here

Download the press kit for STALCRAFT: X here

Request review code access for STALCRAFT: X here

(Press access will include additional equipment to support your entry into the Zone! See below for more info)  

New features of the STALCRAFT: X Day X Update

Exciting New Northern Storyline - Embark on a new large-scale storyline. The tales of the northern factions are unique stories that reveal the Zone from different perspectives and intertwine with each other. Each story has its own unique atmosphere and fully discloses the ideology of the faction you choose.

Personal Shelters - Players can now have personal shelters where they can rest after forays and craft useful items to use themselves or for sell to other players in the Zone. The personal shelter can be customized, and it is also possible to create a genuine underground workshop to furnish other stalkers with necessary supplies.

Huge Graphics Engine Overhaul - Welcome to a whole new level of visual quality and graphical effects. Many new improvements have been made to enhance the Zone, immersing players deeper into the apocalyptic game world including lighting and SSAO, texture and model updates and a completely overhauled weather system. 

New Animation Engine - After two years of development, we have finally added a completely new character animation engine with revamped movement. Aside from the aesthetics, the new animations provide better perception of enemy movements on the battlefield, significantly enhancing the overall gaming experience.

New Gameplay - Many new gameplay features have been added in the DAY X Update, such as the introduction of personal shelters along with numerous gameplay innovations, including a new looting system, open world outpost capture, and much more.

Full Day X Update information and patch notes can be found here 



About STALCRAFT: X
Players will spend their time in the open world of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Locations are filled with many kinds of PvP and PvE activities, beloved by fans of Stalker, such as searching for artifacts, mutant hunting, exploration of uncharted locations, doing quests, creating laboratories and participating in faction wars. For those who have less time to play, there are various session modes to experience.

A living open world
The open world of STALCRAFT: X is truly alive, and players create unique situations for each other, forging loyal friendships and relentless enemies along the way. While exploring the game world’s many locations, other factions’ players may shoot you, but you won't lose all your gear and progress; instead, you'll only leave part of the resources you've collected during that trip. This ensures you retain the thrill of each raid, while setbacks are not overly fatal.

A unique combination of FPS and RPG
The balance of weapons is not typical for open-world MMOs and rather resembles session shooters like Counter Strike and Call of Duty. We define the shooter component as fast-paced, tied primarily to reaction and shooting skills. At the same time, you will remain motivated to progress further on as, over the years, the developers have managed to achieve a unique combination of FPS and RPG mechanics.

Progression and open world economy
Don't let the MMO genre scare you away — there is no levelling mechanic, and you progress through the game by obtaining new equipment. You can aquire it in many ways, including buying it from other players — because STALCRAFT: X has an open economy. You can become a legendary merchant without leaving the base! And by the way, there are no game wipes.

The distribution model
STALCRAFT: X is distributed for free, and there is no catch here — monetization is organized according to the P4T (Pay for time) as well as cosmetics model. Any items can be obtained through playing the game, however, the soft monetization method allows you to speed up some areas of character leveling.



STALCRAFT: X is available to play for free now via Steam and the EXBO launcher. 
For more information check out the official social media channels: 
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/STALCRAFT_ENG 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stalcraft.official/ 
Website: https://stalcraft.net/ 
Discord: https://discord.gg/7kHWhh6w9J  
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EXBO_official 
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Stalcraft/ 

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Notes to Editors:
If you would like to interview the EXBO team on their 10-year journey with STALCRAFT: X, then please contact me, and I will be happy to set that up for you. 
Review code access is available to request HERE - this access will include a welcome bonus to support your initial journey into the Zone! 
PR Contact: 
Mark Allen 
On behalf of EXBO/Infernozilla
[email protected]
+44 (0)7884 408976