Major Patch 1.2 is here!

We are excited to unveil Patch 1.2, a comprehensive update teeming with over 1700 enhancements and resolutions across all facets of the game: balance, environments, quests, blockers, crashes, performance, additional A-Life 2.0 fixes, and much more. This significant achievement was only possible thanks to your valuable feedback and insights from your journey in the Zone. We are grateful for your contributions through Steam, Reddit, Discord, and other platforms.

Without further ado, let’s delve into the extensive list of updates, shall we?

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• Resolved an issue causing A-Life NPCs to struggle with looting corpses efficiently. They can now select the best loot and weapons, and transition to superior armaments.
  • Enhanced NPC corpse looting behaviors.
  • Rectified a problem that allowed NPCs to retrieve body armor and helmets from corpses.
  • Addressed an issue where NPCs were unable to loot corpses of NPCs from different factions.

• Improved NPC shooting precision
  • Recalibrated bullet dispersion accuracy for all distances across all firearms.
  • Introduced randomization in bullet spray accuracy.
  • Diminished wall penetration for bullets from certain NPC weapons.

• Enhanced Stealth Mechanics
  • Corrected an issue where melee strikes could reposition NPCs behind players.
  • Adjusted NPC detection time for identifying player characters.
  • Resolved a problem where NPCs at Malachite could spot players from afar and through objects.

• Refined mutant combat behavior
  • Fixed an oversight where AI would not navigate around obstacles during scripted encounters.
  • Addressed situations where jumping mutants remained airborne under specific conditions.
  • Rectified the Controller’s inability to utilize abilities through grated doors.
  • Resolved an issue where mutants could not engage from particular positions.
  • Fixed a scenario where the Chimera could phase through objects.
  • Ensured the Chimera utilized its jump attack.
  • Corrected an issue with Deer summons appearing within the player’s view.
  • Fixed the Poltergeist vulnerability to anomalies activated by itself.
  • Addressed jumping mutants running on elevated and unreachable surfaces.
  • Ensured Pseudodogs can use their summoning ability while retreating.

• Introduced a new roar ability for the Controller.
• Resolved issues preventing A-Life NPCs from healing friendly wounded NPCs.
• Corrected a situation where A-Life could spawn corpses in proximity to the player.
• Fixed issues allowing A-Life NPCs access to quest-specific locations.
• Addressed missing characters that could impede progress along the main storyline.
• Corrected an infinite spawn issue with A-Life militaries near Rookie Village.
• Resolved an issue with guards getting stuck in doorways at the Skadovsk location.
• Addressed excessive rat spawns in certain lair locations.
• Fixed NPCs potentially freezing after loading saves made post-emission.
• Corrected disappearing weapons when grabbed by Burer abilities.
• Improved NPC animation when climbing stairs while carrying guns.
• Enhanced select mutant animations.
• Fixed player damage near NPCs undergoing zombification.
• Corrected NPCs blocking pathways post-emission, obstructing player progress.
• Rectified potential stretching in mutant limbs when targeted by gunfire.
• Addressed rifle stance issues when NPCs held pistols.
• Solved spawn issues with NPCs in the Sphere location appearing before the player.
• Corrected repetitive NPC cover animations.
• Fixed NPCs halting in doorways on Rostok.
• Enhanced NPC walk animations during combat standoffs.
• Resolved lack of reaction to bullets from enemy NPCs.
• Enhanced open-world combat scenarios with the Pseudogiant near Prypiat’s Abandoned Science Campus.
• Addressed eating, smoking, and drinking issues through closed helmets.
• Corrected missing death animations from anomalies for some mutants.
• Ensured Lex Legend and team return to quest locations after emissions.
• Simplified rat movements in narrow spaces.
• Addressed Burer snatching mission weapons from players.
• Solved NPCs re-engaging with players after being told to conceal weapons.
• Reduced early Bloodsucker spawns prior to the Behind Seven Seals mission completion.
• Fixed NPC blocking issues in Quiets camp post-combat.

Plus, over 70 more issues addressed.

• Reduced the anti-radiation effect of the Weird Water arch-artifact.
• Rectified grenade interactions affecting Burer shields.
• Less firepower is now required by NPCs against Pseudodog summons.
• Increased frequency for Blind Dog mutants’ jump attacks.
• Rebalanced pistols and silencer accessories.
• Lowered exoskeleton NPC spawn rates.
• Revamped armor distribution for NPCs:
  • Increased likelihood of low and mid-tier armor being spawned.
  • Decreased the chance of top-tier armor appearances.
• Boosted radiation damage aligned with accumulated rad points.
• Diminished high-tier weapon spawns for NPCs in the early game.
• Extended trade capabilities with more NPCs at hubs.
• Economy adjustments made for “A Job for the Barkeep” repeatable challenges on Veteran difficulty.

And a few other finer balance adjustments.

• Rectified FPS drops during boss fight with Faust.
• Resolved performance decline upon closing PDA or Pause Menu.
• Enhanced performance slightly by deactivating mesh navigation rebuild features for several objects.
• Fixed memory leaks tied to item handling.
• Addressed over 100 EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION crashes, plus assorted errors (including various minor memory leaks).
• Corrected input lag when VSync was active alongside FidelityFX Frame Interpolation.
• Introduced framerate locks during menus and loading screens.

Plus several other optimization modifications.

• Player’s flashlight now casts shadows onto objects.
• Resolved alterations in NPC relationships.
• Reviewed and renamed certain ammo types.
• Fixed unexpected freeze scenarios during dialogues.
• Prevented quest logic failures due to NPC deaths.
• Smoothened transitions between cutscenes and gameplay.
• Rectified mission logic disruptions from items given through dialogue.
• Fixed dialogue interruptions upon exiting Trade/Upgrade menus.
• Resolved players being teleported outside the playing area.
• Implemented custom Aim Assist mechanics for invisible foes on all supported controllers.
• Addressed potential absence of save backups post-save game losses.
• Rectified NPC animation issues while smoking.
• Corrected teleport issues involving NPCs out of the playable map area.
• Achieved achievement corrections for stealth missions.
• Rectified potential save corruptions from local save deletions and failed cloud syncs.
• Improved PDA model aesthetics in dimly lit conditions.

Incorporated over 100 improvements across Optimization & Crashes, and Behind the Scenes segments.

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• Addressed potential issues preventing Col. Korshunov and/or Cpt. Zotov from appearing in the Wishful Thinking mission.
• Corrected reputation gains after completing the Three Captains with Sultan bandits or Shevchenko stalkers.
• Aligned Scar NPC’s behavior towards players during the Visions of Truth mission.
• Ensured players can stealth navigate the Shock Therapy mission without immediate NPC detection.
• Resolved missing end dialogue scenarios with Gaffer in the On the Edge mission.
• Adjusted “Kill Dalin” objective in the Down Below mission when Korshunov intervenes.
• Addressed potential Inductor despawn if Skif strays too far during the Hot on the Trail mission.
• Allowed for optional monolith kills in The Eternal Shining mission.
• Corrected elevator and pod chamber interactions in the Legends of the Zone mission.
• Resolved potential dialogue loop scenarios with Dr. Dalin and Col. Korshunov in the Wishful Thinking mission.
• Enabled trade interactions with Wreck during The Boundary mission.
• Addressed A Minor Incident mission barrier with STC Malachite doors.
• Fixed NPC movement issues during conversations in The Road to the Foundation.
• Synchronized Visions of Truth mission interactions with Spark squad engaging the Wardens.
• Clarified King of the Hill mission regarding Shah’s PDA status post-Huron trade.
• Adjusted Chimera behavior for retreat after reaching HP thresholds during Ad astra per aspera.
• Resolved indifference from Ocheret during player-Ocheret squad confrontations.
• Ensured A-life NPCs spawn properly in Claw during the Dead Frequency mission.
• Modified guard positioning near X18 lab for Answers Come at a Price.
• Ensured presence of monolithians outside Enerhetyk Palace in The Road to the Foundation.
• Resolved Shock Therapy persistence for certain objectives after NPC actions.
• Precluded players from exploiting peaceful zones with Chimera during The Road to the Foundation.
• Addressed continuous hostilities from scientists in Visions of Truth.
• Configured Noontiders behavior toward friendly NPC casualties at Noontide base’s entrance in Hot on the Trail.
• Rectified phantom spawn issues in Eye of the Storm.
• Resolved premature Three Captains quest completion.
• Facilitated Shift Change mission progression post-Hog’s squad engagement.
• Ensured Zakhar Babay and Akopyan are present/alive for the Deceive the Deceiver mission.
• Ensured players aren’t querying Beard about wardens post-marker actions in Shock Therapy.
• Resolved Just Like the Good Old Days progression when exiting Shelter base too swiftly.
• Addressed Strider visibility post-completion of Dark Times near Doctor’s hut.
• Ensured the “Find a way into Prypiat” objective concludes regardless of route during The Boundary mission.
• Enabled checkpoint encounters near Icarus Camp.
• Adjusted Hosha Mohyla difficulties during Answers Come at a Price.
• Reduced rat presence during the Offloading Terminal stage of The Road to the Foundation.
• Rectified weather transition issues after The Boundary mission.
• Corrected uncompleting markers and objectives post- Budmo! mission.
• Synchronized The Poppy Field mission to prevent premature Pomor death.
• Prevented aggressive Strider from appearing near Doctor’s house after An Act of Mercy sequence.
• Updated Answers Come at a Price guard AI behavior near fences.
• Prevented despawn of crucial quest items during Bullseye and Shift Change missions.
• Solved Strider disappearance issue at Ranger Station during Extreme Simplicity.
• Resolved psi-effect persistence post A Light in the End of the Tunnel.
• Adjusted Answers Come at a Price progression with Chornozem objectives.
• Rectified Legends of the Zone Pseudogiant encounter requirements for Dark aid.
• Facilitated In the Name of Science interactions with Shcherba.
• Ensured Back to the Slag Heap cutscene triggers correctly.
• Fixed Skif’s potential demise post- Korshunov encounter in Down Below.
• Ensured accurate Down Below PDA documentation during the Strelok timeline.
• Allowed The Mysterious Case interactions with Sultan post-stalker encounters.
• Ensured presence of mercenaries post- Faust’s cell return in Just Like the Good Old Days.
• Corrected emission-related objective status errors in Extreme Simplicity.
• Facilitated proper Dr. Kryvenko movements during A Long Overdue Visit.
• Removed unauthorized guide assistance during The Boundary mission.
• Ensured Richter’s availability for multiple missions.
• Restored several On the Edge dialogue lines.
• Improved Dalin movement logic during Visions of Truth.
• Corrected “Return to Gaffer” objective issues in On the Edge.
• Adjusted infinite Gaffer rewards during On the Edge.
• Fixed NPC obstruction during On the Edge.
• Updated Gaffer AI behavior during On the Edge.
• Ensured appropriate Warlock presence in the clubhouse during On the Edge.
• Enhanced Monolithian NPC AI during An Act of Mercy.
• Streamlined Dalin inspection tasks in Visions of Truth.
• Streamlined Scar messaging post- Faust confrontation.
• Rectified persistent psi-effect issues post- A Light in the End of the Tunnel mfission.
• Ensured spawning of monolith troops post-substation activation in Happiness for Everyone.
• Restored Sgt. Metlov to his appropriate Back to the Slag Heap location.
• Ensured mercenaries engage when necessary in Just Like the Good Old Days.
• Ensured Scherba’s appearance during emission in In Search of Past Glory.
• Facilitated Dangerous Liaisons progression when decoder is sold.
• Simplified interactions with Dvupalov to deliver suppressor during In Search of Past Glory.
• Addressed possible softlocks during the Dangerous Liaisons mission.
• Adjusted anomalous mercenary spawns at Brain Scorcher during Shcherba’s mission.
• Rectified lock-in scenarios between NPCs in Zalissya’s shelter during A Race against Death.
• Ensured proper interactions with Dvupalov and Scherba for In Search of Past Glory.
• Safeguarded presence of Dr. Kaymanov and Strider in An Act of Mercy.
• Fixed progression issues with “Fight off the Monolith assault” task during the The Boundary mission.
• Prevented dual occurrences of A Big Score and Deceive the Deceiver objectives.
• Enabled Prof. Lodochka interactions during Hot on the Trail at toxic storage.
• Addressed emission aftermath behavior post-Zakhar Babay escort in Deceive the Deceiver.
• Rectified objectives following On the Edge interactions with Gaffer.
• Ensured life-saving of Ricochet during second monolith wave in On the Edge.
• Delineated An Act of Mercy success criteria for nonviolent resolutions.
• Synchronized Monolith soldiers spawns with player presence in Visions of Truth.
• Amended friendly NPC fixedness in The Assault on the Duga.
• Corrected mercenary presence issues during Legends of the Zone.
• Prevented potential immobilized zombie states during Scar fight.
• Enhanced AI behavior for Korshunov during confrontation.
• Reinforced Korshunov’s shields in bossfight scenarios.
• Strengthened Korshunov’s armor in boss encounters.
• Balanced Col. Korshunov’s health metrics during Down Below confrontations.
• Refined Scar’s targeting approach during boss engagements.
• Addressed scenarios where Strelok could leave the accessible arena bounds during The Eternal Shining mission.
• Resolved potential transparency issues with Faust’s clones when Object Details were on low settings.
• Adjusted Visions of Truth interactions for “Talk to Korshunov” scenario fix.
• Synchronized hunting objectives post-Borodulin interactions.
• Facilitated Hot on the Trail entrance procedures with Strider’s disposition.
• Fixed missing Scar locations during Just Like the Good Old Days.
• Ensured proper mission continuity post- X-5 lab escape in In Search of Past Glory.
• Resolved Korshunov mobility issues during bossfight.

In all, over 300+ mission-specific issues were thoroughly addressed within the Main Story.

• Fixed misuses of guide services by players.
• Resolved car scam encounters causing unwarranted NPC hostility.
• Rectified Just Business mission initiation issues when Carl Clinch required healing.
• Adjusted NPC teleport issues during talkative pauses post-combat in encounters.
• Optimized Rodent spawns in Rostok encounters.
• Preserved Scientist faction relations post- Black Sheep mission.
• Imbued the game world and hubs with fresh notes.
• Harmonized discrepancies in awards for repeatable quests.
• Solved issues causing unavailability in travel dialogues with Noon base guides.
• Eliminated narrative anomalies in Skadovsk loudspeaker messages.
• Aligned encounter writings with post- Monolith return developments.
• Ensured Spark special encounter activation only after In Search of Past Glory achievements.
• Increased perceived value in stash near Bloodsucker village.
• Cleared repeatable mission hang-ups restricting Journal entries and dialogues.
• Preserved Malachite Hub accessibility on Spark Branch post- Visions of Truth mission.
• Refined Rookie Village level layouts for encounters.
• Ensured The Key to Freedom mission continuity with NPC interaction.
• Preserved Kostya Dry’s post-movement scenarios after player return at Duga.
• Promoted Pseudodog’s Phantom summoning in Arena: Round Two missions.
• Adjusted loot access permissions during The Key to Freedom endeavors.
• Facilitated exit strategies from Malachite post-fast travel.
• Resolved Yaniv station guide presence concerns post-Prypiat discovery.
• Adjusted boons distributed throughout The Freedom Colosseum quests.
• Updated NPC enemy routines in arena skirmishes.
• Restored STC Malachite accessibility during A Minor Incident quests.
• Balanced NPCs amidst Visions of Truth conflicts.
• Rectified dialogue feedback issues with Skif’s guide NPCs.
• Aligned bandit encounter timelines between Poisonous Hole and Commissary Store.

And an additional 130+ “anomalies” discovered and neutralized.

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• Enriched level designs for operable doors within Wild Territory, Rostok.
• Polished destructible medical box details.
• Integrated icons displaying NPC-derived weapon damaged states.
• Addressed possible respawn of arch-artifacts following Player’s rank ascension.
• Readjusted Hydrodynamics Lab stash loot.
• Corrected overexposure in certain artifact models.
• Rectified anomalies retaining Player harm while inactive.
• Adjusted Weird Kettle archartifact’s PSI effects, marking them temporary.
• Adjusted corpse states in Wishful Thinking missions to prevent transient A-poses.
• Ensured first destructible wood plank is affected by physical forces.
• Maintained Red Fortress tunnel access during Just Business mission functionalities.
• Rectified persistence of false psi artifacts post-save/load.
• Enhanced strafing jump capability for artifacts.
• Amended Vortex anomaly interactions at Yaniv Station.

And 30+ other challenges tackled.

• Aligned hand positions post-expulsion anomalies during artifact inspections.
• Removed capability to breach locked doors via grenades.
• Corrected grenade depletion timing post-throw.
• Ensured grenades remain visible when released at feet.
• Introduced parkour animations from a crouched position.
• Rectified damage allocation upon exiting razor anomalies.
• Enhanced NPCs susceptibility to demise via anomalies.
• Resolved auto-lean and weapon recovery beneath minor obstacles.
• Ensured consistent auto-lean functionality across objections.
• Improved synchronization of NPC footstep audio.
• Fixed altered movement key bindings obstructing ladder climbs.
• Addressed persistence of psi effects beyond damage areas.
• Resolved player immortality under gameplay conditions.
• Decoupled NPC corpses’ interactions with environmental objects.
• Prohibited skipping of reload animations.
• Enabled the canceling of reloads with underbarrel launcher attachments.
• Optimized player acceleration during sprint initiation.
• Rectified phantom grenade impacts on NPCs.
• Reduced default artifact slots for X7 suits.
• Rectified Bulwark Exosuit upgrade slot alignment.
• Synopsis improvements in PA-7 Gas Mask upgrade choices.
• Balanced upgrades for PSZ-5D Universal Protection outfits.

Over 50 additional bug fixes implemented.

• Incorporated map tooltips with regional specifics.
• Adjusted gamepad map zoom functionality.
• Cleared inventory dimming issues.
• Rectified non-displaying of pre-installed upgrades by technicians.
• Simplified ammo counter visibility on HUD.
• Addressed absent under-barrel grenade launcher display mode.
• Enhanced stash location notifications on HUD.
• Rectified gamepad-related loot interactions.
• Simplified post-caliber change HUD display.
• Corrected subtitle-cutscene skip actions via gamepad.
• Revised tracking mechanics for completed missions.
• Synchronized audio log timings.
• Ensured visible cursors in the attachment selector for shotguns.
• Resolved MSI Claw A1M control issues.
• Infused Razer Chroma effects within compatible devices.
• Integrated haptic Razer Sensa effects within compatible devices.
• Offered Key binding choices for Journal and Notes.
• Ensured key-bindings for grenade throws and bolt actions.
• Ensured flashlight activation clarity in key bindings.
• Rectified UI-related issues with Speaker Name resizing.
• Synchronized mission-end notifications with shelter entry timing.
• Implemented animation for fire mode changes during the item selector’s use.
• Corrected input response during enemy attacks within inventory.
• Extended acknowledgment for the “Point of no return” message.
• Enhanced upgrade menu usability.
• Resolved HUD issues with grenade ammo counters.

Plus over 120 more adjustments realized.

• Resolved X-17 Lab entrapment scenarios.
• Soft lock scenarios addressed at Cooling Tower area.
• Prevented NPC self-endangerment around Sphere’s fiery tank.
• Introduced teleportation anomalies in Old Barge and Fishing Hamlet scopes.
• Prevented terrain issues in Red Forest during emissions.
• Eliminated invalid artifact and anomaly spawns.
• Post-Pripyat weather system restoration.
• Implemented visual improvements in distinct zones and areas.
• Refined terrain and architectural layouts across zones.
• Harmonized foliage placement within specific locations.
• Improved lighting conditions across various sites.
• Tweaked collision frameworks throughout multiple spaces.
• Prevented foliage rendering hiccups upon save loading.
• Addressed overboundaries between Cordon and Zaton territories.
• Prevented unintentional Monolithian appearances within Zalissya.
• Adjusted Waste Processing Station anomaly distribution.
• Synchronized map detailing for objective loading distances.
• Fine-tuned Cordon region stash inventory.
• Enabled artifact appearances at SIIRCA’s Datacenter’s area.
• Implemented missing duck soundscape cues.
• Refined open-world glass and stucco aesthetics.

Over 450+ adjustments executed in this segment.

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Audio, Cutscenes, and VO have undergone substantial enhancements with nearly 100 fixes dedicated to upgrading your game journey. To access the full compendium of updates for these parts, visit our website:

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Thank you for being part of the Zone experience! As always, we remain attentive to your feedback and comments, and are committed to providing timely game updates. Should you encounter an “anomaly” that seems out of place, please report it to our team at the Tech Support Hub. Your assistance helps expedite issue resolution.

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