ARIERI'S PROFILE

Not sure if qualified for this forum, since it's not yet an existing game.

I have had, for a few years, the idea to produce an RPG in VXAce (or maybe just a mod for the FPS S.T.A.L.K.E.R - yes, I know those two engines are worlds apart). It would be something of a cross-over between the Tiberian series, Roadside Picnic and, I suppose, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles. Add in some The Color out of Space, Eric and Morgoth's Ring for good measure.

Quick synopsis: at some point in the 20th or 21st century, a meteor from the great beyond impacts on Earth, bringing with it some sort of force that is vaguely a lifeform, or maybe just a sort of radiation, known only as 'ΩXIII', which changes the environment around the impact site to produce a variety of mutants and monsters but also valuable artifacts. At first, the quasi-lifeform "lays dreaming" inside its rock and this progresses slowly, but eventually scientists do things to the lifeform, having found that the mutagenic effects can be controlled and guided by strong willpower. It is then used to create supersoldiers. Through these experiments, they "wake up" the alien lifeform, leading to the rapid expansion of "the zone" and the formation of other zones around the world. Eventually, a group of heroes bands together, somehow defeats ΩXIII, which seals it and stops its expansion (later found to only slow it down tremendously).
Several hundred years later: Player commands a tactical team of "Stalkers" on a shattered world dotted with "zones" and monster-inhabited wastelands. Stalkers are folks who enter zones to retrieve items of personal or economic value, either remnants of the human civilization that was forced out of these areas, or objects produced by the zones' warping influence, which often possess "supernatural" effects. Plot happens and eventually the player is pitted against a faction of pre-cataclysm supersoldiers who only wish to beat a worthy opponent or die trying, and frankly would be fine with either outcome (i.e. quasi a faction of Nod Initiates/Acolytes/Templars). Ultimately, the player may or may not be able to beat ΩXIII itself, or rather, convince the alien lifeform to return to the great beyond. This is done by one of the characters actually being an "avatar" of the alien, who, through its adventures with humans, learns not to be scared of humanity (which was its motive all along - an alien lifeform which simply tried to defend itself, injured and alone, on a planet full of - to it - alien beings). Something like that.

If it turns out that it will be a mod: it would probably be created on the basis of Call of Pripyat and would not change much about UI, but maps would be substantially changed, perhaps even all outside maps would be replaced by one large 'overworld' map, as can be seen in the recent Fallout games, doing away with the redonkulous 2ft wire-fences that limit maps in vanilla S.T.A.L.K.E.R. There will be substantially more "vertical" map spaces (e.g. in urban areas - skyscrapers) and the weapon selection would be expanded with meelee, exotic and heavy weapons, and a few more "international" choices (since our game wouldn't take place in Ukraine), but otherwise left largely intact.

Does anyone have experience with modding S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and can give an estimate of how feasible it is to implement this or produce any substantial changes to the game (i.e. beyond adding weapons/quests)?

Also, generally, feedback on the concept? Suggestions? Praise? Anything is welcome!