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For the first time I have made the report not of a real Chernobyl Zone of Alienation, but from the Zone invented, game, virtual. No, it not the review of just published third part of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. "Call of Pripyat", about it, it is already written enough (and it is quite probable that will write more), and I did not play in this game... Neither in the first, nor in the second... And I will not play in the third. I do not love computer games at all. It is the picture story about the first international festival Stalker-Fest 2009 which has passed on October, 3rd this year in the city of Kyiv, in the centre, on the “Maidan Nezalezhnosti". The festival has been dated for an publication of this third part of game S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
Action was planned grandiose (such it has appeared actually). Here "a game zone" with tens computers, and a platform with an BTR (armored troop-carrier), barrels and broken automobile where stuntmen arranged fights and firing, dancers of break-dance, drummers on barrels and different industrial pieces of iron, DJs; competitions of comics on motives of game, sale of souvenirs, well and finally, performance popular Ukrainian "pop groups" (acted, by the way, well. Also, that is especially important, - loudly). In general all was expensive and qualitative. Organizers promised much and have not deceived. The festival is certainly succeed and, as it seems to me, has good chance from the single action "on the occasion of a release of the third part..." become popular enough annual international festival.
I will not tell about the festival. I will not list, who and in what order stepped on the stage and that spoke, who sang what songs. As, in my opinion, it is not especially important. As I already told all was excellent, without hitches and mess-ups. I want to tell about "stalkers". Going on festival, I suspected that I will see there people in a camouflage and is possible even in gas masks, respirators... But what I have seen has amazed me. We are witnesses of origin of new subculture: "Stalkers"!
Probably game "S.T.A.L.K.E.R " are not the most outstanding game in the history, but it has generated new subculture and only for one this it is worthy to occupy a place of honor on "the avenue of glory" of a world game-design is more. As they say: "I take off a hat"!
The rising generation of "stalkers" has come accompanied by parents. And some have come whole "stalkers" families. To tell the truth "mother-stalkers" I did not see, but "daddies-stalkers" was enough. There was even one "dog-stalker"! By the way, it was the very lovely dachshund.
All "gangs", conflicting in game, in a real life behaved quite peacefully. And the leader of "Bandity (Gangsters)" (in a black mask and leather cloak), even treated everybody with broiled sunflower seeds ((public image obliges :)
