S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky - Q&A @ CVG

A new interview with GSC's Anton Bolshakov on S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky is up at CVG.  Here's a partial snip on new features:

You're introducing a number of new gameplay features in Clear Sky. What's the biggest or most important, and why choose that?

Bolshakov: To me the biggest new gameplay introduction is the global war of factions, totally controlled by A-life, factions being much more developed and self-sustaining organizations.

Each faction has a main camp, their leader, trader, mechanic etc. Other faction members perform certain roles too (such as artifact miners, guards etc.). We're also giving factions more individual character, such as providing special mini-games, unique animations etc.

Factions fight for a number of points, such as territories, resources and scientific locations, each trying to establish its domination in the Zone. Capturing territorial points allows a faction to ensure its presence on such important areas as crossing between levels, watch towers and so on.

When capturing resources (artifacts), the faction becomes richer and can attract new and higher-profile members to its ranks. [more]