Do you think the next Half-Life will be called Half-Life 3 or Half-Life 2: Episode 3?

Re: Do you think the next Half-Life will be called Half-Life 3 or Half-Life 2: Episod

^So that's just another speculation that there wouldn't be any Ep. 3. Gabe Newell hasn't uttered a word about HL2 since a long time. This E3 we might have something in store.
 
Re: Do you think the next Half-Life will be called Half-Life 3 or Half-Life 2: Episod

He better, lest he wants somebody else to hack into their servers and , well you remember HL2 beta leak in 2003
 
Re: Do you think the next Half-Life will be called Half-Life 3 or Half-Life 2: Episod

comp@ddict said:
He better, lest he wants somebody else to hack into their servers and , well you remember HL2 beta leak in 2003
Click to expand...
Umm that was a LONG time back, lol. I think their servers are way more secure now. Valve isn't sony.
 
Re: Do you think the next Half-Life will be called Half-Life 3 or Half-Life 2: Episod

Why Half-life 3 Isn't Coming Soon

Are you waiting for Half-life: Episode 3? Or maybe you're thinking Valve's ditched the episodic format altogether (and you'd probably be right). Regardless, don't hold your breath for a sign of life from Gordon Freeman any time soon. We know it's not going to be at E3 2011, and there are two big reasons why Valve would continue to hold off showing the world what its been working on.

Let's discuss the graphics for a moment. It's the first thing that we're struck with when any game is unveiled, before we can get our grubby digits on it. Valve CEO Gabe Newell was recently quoted as saying that it intends to keep incrementally improving its Source engine – the now seven year old warhorse backbone behind just about every game Valve has released since.

It's an engine that shines within its ability to be modified and extended; it has an answer to just about every effect its competitors can produce – and it does so off the back of some of this generation's greatest titles – two Left 4 Dead titles, Team Fortress 2 and two Portal games amongst them. Valve is investing in creating flexible technology that doesn't need to be rebuilt every five years like its direct competitors. It has longevity – and that's something that makes good business sense. Smaller, more consistent investment in regular engine upgrades, rather than total recreation.

For a series like Half-life, this poses a question of impact – both that initial 'wow'-factor and the kind of artistic direction and technical leap that it takes to make those jaws hang loose. If and when we do see the next Half-life adventure, Valve will want to make a major splash. This is a franchise close to the hearts of millions of gamers – and both previous titles were, critically, also technological showcases for Valve's impressive art department and tech suite.

By not iterating the Source engine, that potentially makes it tricky to come out of the gates with a game that looks startlingly 'new'. That's where art direction is going to have to fill in any perceived marketing bullet-point gaps. With Portal 2, Valve has – more than any other game in its back catalogue – demonstrated that it can craft convincing, realistic worlds that don't aim to be photo-realistic. It put style above aping reality – and it recreated several different modern decades of styles. It was a ballsy move – and it was also something of an experiment. Portal 2's environment spoke more of the back-story than any narration could.

Gravity and environment manipulation are sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with the traditional blast-fest.

With Half-life 3, Valve has the chance to do it again. It cut its teeth with Half-life 2 in that regard, but it really came of age with Portal 2. Expect something equally ambitious, sprawling and – critically, more evocative than any competing title out there. It has to be, really. And that kind of quality takes a long time.

Then there's the question of gameplay. With the original Half-life, Valve brought first-person storytelling up to speed. With its sequel, it was further refined, while adding the stunning gravity gun element. With Portal and Portal 2, the portal gun pointed towards the importance of gameplay-redefining advances in design. But where can Valve go from here?

It's just a matter of time before we see Half-life 3. Honestly though, the longer the wait, the better the game. Valve must rely on art direction over horsepower (or gracefully combine the two). However, a stunning – show-stopping – gameplay advancement must surely be stamped on the other side of the coin. As you can imagine, these kinds of brilliant advancements don't generally appear overnight.

We're starting to see new trends and concepts emerging in the first-person space. Gravity and environment manipulation are sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with the traditional blast-fest. Half-life has always balanced adventure with action and grand storytelling, too. It's a fair assumption that Valve completely understands what its sitting on – and won't risk a misstep. Everything will be meticulous, inventive and worthwhile.

When all of these elements are considered, it's pretty fair to say that we're not going to be hearing about Half-life 3 for a while more. The beauty lies in the consolation, though: when it is finally announced, you can bet it'll something very rare, very fine and very special indeed. No pressure, Valve.
Click to expand...

Editorial: Why Half-life 3 Isn't Coming Soon - PC Feature at IGN
 
Re: Do you think the next Half-Life will be called Half-Life 3 or Half-Life 2: Episod

viralbug said:
Not everyone will agree to that. :p

IMO Half Life series beats anything else hands down. :D

I know the wait is killing. But I don't mind the wait as long as I know that Valve is going to deliver an amazing game. :D
Click to expand...
Now buddy, for some HL2 is their idol game, but personally, I found it a bit boring, no offense to fans, but valve's multiplayer games are 10x better than their single-player ones. I mean look at Counter Strike Source, Team Fortress 2, Left 4 Dead..
 
Re: Do you think the next Half-Life will be called Half-Life 3 or Half-Life 2: Episod

^

You left out CS 1.6, the no 1 multiplayer game in the world.

BTW, I liked HL E1 and E2. But I aint a fanboy.
 
Re: Do you think the next Half-Life will be called Half-Life 3 or Half-Life 2: Episod

^^well, i didnt mention it cuz it's wayy too old, seriously people need to grow up already :p
 
It's Half Life 2 : Episode 3 :)
Alleged concept art for Half-Life 2: Episode 3 has surfaced, revealing various forms of Alyx Vance -- wearing Eli Vance's vest and sporting long hair -- a snowy setting, and a crashed helicopter. In addition, an image with floating platforms and psychedelic imagery shows a world suspiciously similar to Xen,the alternate dimension from the end of the first Half-Life.

The uncovered art also gives us a look at what appears to be a Combine in arctic gear, some generic dudes in coats, and a Combine Advisor. There are also numerous instances of Soviet imagery. You'll note a distinct lack of Gordon Freeman and Dog in these scenes with a lonely Alyx.


IGN has asked Valve about the legitimacy of the art, which apparently dates back to 2008, shortly after Episode Two's release.
Click to expand...
XenIGN.jpg

Alyx1.jpg

Source: Is This Our First Look at Half-Life: Episode Three? - IGN
 
Observant developers over at ValveTime have made some interesting discoveries which suggest Valve is working on Source 2, the next version of its almost decade-old game engine. The Source engine powers a number of titles like Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines, but it is utilized most notably by Valve properties such as Portal, Team Fortress 2, Left 4 Dead and Half-life 2.

Evidence to support Source 2 comes from Valve's very own Source Filmmaker, a free WYSIWYG movie-making tool that allows users to create videos using the same models, physics, textures and sounds found within the game engine.

Aside from the mention of "Source 2" in the above snippet of code, the inclusion of "ep3" and "Alyx" in a single line is of particular interest. Some believe it is evidence of Half-Life 3 -- a new, third episode of the franchise. "Alyx" likely refers to Alyx Vance, an NPC in Half-Life 2 who is portrayed as a close friend of Gordon Freeman, the primary protagonist.
Click to expand...

Evidence of Source 2, Half-Life 3 found in Source Filmmaker SDK - TechSpot News
 
Back
Top