S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky - Developer Diary #2 @ IGN

IGN posts their second developer diary entry for GSC Gameworld's S.T.A.L.K.E.R. prequel, Clear Sky. This one focuses on the game technology: 

...The technology improvements didn't just span graphics either. Taking into account the feedback and ideas from fans, we paid every effort to improve the opponent's combat AI and the A-Life system. Now the NPCs are intelligent enough to wisely use cover, throw grenades and avoid obstacles dynamically. They now understand what is a window or a rift in the wall and how to interact with them. For the AI we meticulously placed 'hints' so they know how to use cover properly, so they know where to stand to fire through a window or where they can shoot while looking out from behind the wall. Indeed, we did our best to teach them how to think and use all the objects available, so that NPCs would have a greater influence on what the players does next.