S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky  is going to be an exclusive Steam release. The game is a prequel to last year's deeply atmospheric FPS/RPG and, let's be honest, the most annoying game title you'll ever have to type. Go on, try it: S - dot - T - dot - A - dot... it's like playing some horribly tricky Japanese ryhthm game. Sigh.

Anyway, Clear Sky (see how we're avoiding it now?) is set in 2011 and is all about a group of stalkers that has 'reached the very heart of the Zone-Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant-and brings about a cataclysm on the brink of a catastrophe.' The game engine has been significantly tarted up and now supports DirectX10, which is lovely. The website features lots more detail and poses interesting questions like 'why did Strelok end up in the death truck?' Hmm. Why, indeed? If that means anything at all to you, then you'll want to get your hands on  (cut-paste) S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky when it releases in Q1 2008. Soon, in other words.