The STALKER trilogy's promised mod support has come to Xbox consoles, and you're allowed to cheese achievements with it (2024)

The STALKER trilogy's promised mod support has come to Xbox consoles, and you're allowed to cheese achievements with it (1)

What you need to know

  • STALKER: Legends of the Zone Trilogy is a collection of the three original STALKER open world survival FPS games that released on Xbox and PlayStation consoles earlier this year.
  • At launch, developer GSC Game World promised mod support via mod.io integration would come at a later date. Now, that mod support is here.
  • By signing into mod.io in-game, players can download and install mods uploaded to mod.io's website by the community. Modders are free to change or alter animations, textures, models, in-game videos, and sounds.
  • Notably, mods do not require internet access once installed, and don't disable achievements, either. There is a 1GB size limit on individual mods, though.

Players of GSC Game World's single player open world survival shooter series, STALKER, have enjoyed many excellent community-made mod projects on PC over the years — especially after the release of an open source version of its X-Ray Engine accelerated their development. Now, official mod support has come to the Xbox and PlayStation versions of the STALKER trilogy as well, enabling anyone to make mods for the games that fans can then download and install for free.

As it said it would when the STALKER: Legends of The Zone Trilogy shadow dropped on console earlier this year, GSC has partnered with mod.io — a platform that helps developers integrate mods into their games — to bring mod support to console. The way it works is simple: after someone makes a mod for STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl, STALKER: Clear Sky, or STALKER: Call of Pripyat, they can upload it to the mod.io website. Then, at the in-game main menu, players can sign in with their mod.io account and browse for mods to install.

The official modding FAQ covers questions you're likely to have and includes links to things like a guide on how to make mods, mod.io's terms and conditions, and GSC's STALKER end-user license agreement. The developers note that animations, textures, models, in-game videos, and sounds are all files that can be modified, though other file types like scripts, configs, and libraries are off-limits. Individual mods also can't be bigger than 1GB, so expect to see graphical enhancements come in pieces instead of massive comprehensive overhauls.

The STALKER trilogy's promised mod support has come to Xbox consoles, and you're allowed to cheese achievements with it (2)

A quick skim through the FAQ reveals good news: you don't have to be online to use mods, so you don't have to worry about getting booted back to the main menu or something if you start having connection issues. You only need an internet connection when downloading the mods you want; once they're installed, they'll function whether you're on or offline.

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The STALKER trilogy's promised mod support has come to Xbox consoles, and you're allowed to cheese achievements with it (3)

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Another interesting thing to know is that GSC has opted not to disable the STALKER trilogy's achievements when using mods, which stands in contrast to the way Bethesda handles mods for Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield. That means you've got carte blanche to use mods to cheese them, which I'm sure we'll see mods for soon. My money's on someone making a stash in the Rookie Village that spawns with one of every collectible artifact in it.

In case you're wondering, there aren't many mods up yet — PS5 players have access to a cool high-quality retexture for blind dog mutants in Shadow of Chernobyl, though — but I'm sure we'll start to see plenty of uploads hit mod.io's servers in the coming days and weeks. Personally, I'm most excited to see if fans will develop major visual enhancements that elevate the games to the presentation quality achievable with STALKER Anomaly, but I'm looking forward to gameplay overhauls and joke mods, too. I'm sure someone is going to put Thomas the Tank Engine somewhere in The Zone.

The STALKER trilogy's promised mod support has come to Xbox consoles, and you're allowed to cheese achievements with it (4)

As a massive fan of the STALKER games, it's awesome to see GSC follow through on its promise to bring them mod support on console — and if you haven't played the trilogy yet, there's never been a better time to check it out. A bundle that includes all three games is just $7.19 on Fanatical right now if you're part of the PC crowd, and you can also get them for $27.99 on Xbox — a cool 30% off the $39.99 MSRP. Each individual STALKER game also has that discount in the event you'd only like to get one of them, by the way (Shadow of Chernobyl is what I'd recommend in that case).

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There's also STALKER 2 coming in just a few months, which is the first new game in the series since Call of Pripyat's 2009 release almost 15 years ago. It'll follow up on the events of the first three games and take fans to back to its fictional spin on the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, complete with advanced graphics, deadlier gunplay, a new story, and more. I'm jealous that my colleague Zachary Boddy got to play it at Summer Game Fest (read their preview), but come September 5, I'll be donning a gas mask and diving right in. If you've got Xbox Game Pass, you can too, as it's launching on Microsoft's gaming service day one.

The STALKER trilogy's promised mod support has come to Xbox consoles, and you're allowed to cheese achievements with it (5)

STALKER Trilogy | $39.99 $7.19 at Fanatical (PC, Steam)

Right now, you can snag all three of the STALKER games for under $8 on PC, and for a sweet 30% off on Xbox. If you like survival shooters and non-linear open world-style exploration, I can't recommend them enough, especially when they're this affordable and now that mod support is available on all platforms.

Also at: Xbox ($27.99)

The STALKER trilogy's promised mod support has come to Xbox consoles, and you're allowed to cheese achievements with it (6)

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl |$59.99 at Amazon (Xbox)

Survive The Zone's glory and horror in the first new STALKER game since 2009's Call of Pripyat. Built using Unreal Engine 5, STALKER 2 will tap into the series' classic gameplay elements and atmosphere using the latest and greatest tech available. It's scheduled to launch on September 5, but is available to preorder now.

Also at:GMG (PC, Steam, $59.99)|GOG (PC, $59.99)

The STALKER trilogy's promised mod support has come to Xbox consoles, and you're allowed to cheese achievements with it (7)

Brendan Lowry

Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer and Oakland University graduate with a burning passion for video games, of which he's been an avid fan since childhood. You'll find him doing reviews, editorials, and general coverage on everything Xbox and PC. Follow him on Twitter.

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    The STALKER trilogy's promised mod support has come to Xbox consoles, and you're allowed to cheese achievements with it (2024)

    FAQs

    Is mod support coming to Stalker on Xbox? ›

    Earlier this year, GSC Game World shadow-dropped the S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Legends of the Zone Trilogy onto Xbox. While many are waiting on the promised Xbox Series X|S patch due to roll out sometime this year, the studio has now announced official mod support via Mod.io for the trilogy of games on consoles.

    Will Stalker console get mods? ›

    Mod support is now available for the STALKER games on Xbox and PlayStation. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

    Does mod.io work on Xbox? ›

    mod.io is a fully authorized middleware provider for Xbox, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5 and Nintendo Switch.

    Can you mod Stalker on PlayStation? ›

    S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy, the cult classic PC series, brought to PlayStation and Xbox earlier this year by GSC Game World, has now added official mod support for these platforms with its latest patch.

    Is it illegal to mod your Xbox? ›

    Game Console Modding

    Here's the trick: Physically modding your console is fine, you can go ahead and gut your Xbox One and put it in a custom Super Nintendo body if you like, but you're not allowed to alter the firmware that prevents the console from playing pirated games (another ruling we owe to the DMCA).

    Does mod.io scan for viruses? ›

    Virus Scanning

    If a virus is suspected, the mod will be removed and a detailed report will be provided through your Moderation Dashboard, where you will be able to review the content, restore it, or permanently delete it.

    Is STALKER a mil sim? ›

    STALKER is not a milsim :: S.T.A.L.K.E.R.

    Do mods disable achievements in STALKER? ›

    S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Legends of the Zone Trilogy now supports mods on Xbox, and best of all, any mods you install won't stop you from unlocking achievements!

    What is the God command in STALKER anomaly? ›

    Game
    СommandCommand descriptionCommand's argument
    g_godEnables God Mode'on/off' or '1/0'
    g_hit_pwr_modifBone damage modifier0.500 - 3.000
    g_ironsights_zoom_factorZoom factor of the mechanical sight1.000 - 2.000
    g_unlimitedammoEnables Infinite Ammo Mode'on/off' or '1/0'
    19 more rows

    Can you install mods for Xbox? ›

    What Xbox Mod Kit Should I Use? If you're new to Xbox modding, you can go online to find a basic softmod kit. This will be enough to get you started. Your next step will be to install XBMC4Xbox, which is the dashboard you'll use to manage your modding.

    Does mod.io cost money? ›

    Q: Is mod.io free? A: For indie games yes, adding your game and hosting mods with mod.io is free (within some limits). If you enable marketplace functionality there will be a transaction fee, and a private white label solution is available to studios to license.

    Do mod mics work on Xbox? ›

    ModMic USB and ModMic Wireless are not compatible with any Xbox console. The ModMic Uni will work with the Nintendo switch via a Y adapter. For ModMics Uni and other 3.5mm ModMics: Consoles require a Y adapter.

    Is STALKER DRM free? ›

    DRM FREE. No activation or online connection required to play. Safety and satisfaction.

    What is STALKER gamma a mod for? ›

    stands for Gigantic Automated Modular Modpack for Anomaly. G.A.M.M.A. aims at providing a balanced survival, scavenging, cooking, crafting and repairing focused experience with a long progression and smooth gameplay.

    Is there mods on Xbox? ›

    Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S were released in 2020. Since then, many gamers have wondered about modding games on these series, especially since these newer models have more of a PC feel. While modding on a PC is easier because of easy access to key files, Xbox Series X modding is also possible.

    Is Stalker 2 going to be on Xbox one? ›

    Stalker 2 is an Xbox console exclusive. The game is launching on Xbox Series X and Series S, as well as PC. When it launches, the game will be available through Xbox Game Pass.

    Does STALKER have console commands? ›

    Console Commands

    The command console in STALKER can be opened and closed at any time by pressing the '~' key (the key below ESC). This console is an area which allows you to enter a range of commands, for the purposes of adjusting the game engine's parameters. Most console commands are also used in the User.

    Does Starfield have mods on Xbox? ›

    Many mods help enhance the experience of playing Starfield, but the Xbox version doesn't yet have mod support without the Creation Club. Once the Creation Club update releases, there are a number of popular Starfield mods Xbox players should be on the lookout for.

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