231 replies to this topic

So much talk of this in the last months, and no thread (that I could find)? Latest rumor, which is definitely probably false, is a Gamescom announcement.

[dibs]

Heart is all a-flutter.

Doesn't Valve typically announce stuff by having an intricate ARG and then a new web site? When did they last announce a new game on some convention/keynote?

[dibs]

Twist: The HL3 announcement meme is the ARG.

[Wikipedia Brown]

I like it when Valve is super blunt in its public communication. I used to be on their press list, and I'd get emails from Doug Lombardi which were always super concise and direct, as opposed to the painfully drawn out and poorly-written press releases of most game companies.

Were that email account still active I'd be refreshing waiting for an email like this:

Subject: Half-Life 3 Announcement

Body: We'll be showing Half-Life 3 at gamescom. Contact so-and-so to schedule an appointment to see it.

Fuck ARGs and all other sorts of "viral marketing." Let's hope they don't do that.

[Alunnite]

I kind of want this it be false because I really enjoy watching the die-hard fan squirm at the mention of an announcement. Would be a hell of a way to end a console's life cycle though.

[much shorter]

I like it when Valve is super blunt in its public communication. I used to be on their press list, and I'd get emails from Doug Lombardi which were always super concise and direct, as opposed to the painfully drawn out and poorly-written press releases of most game companies.

Were that email account still active I'd be refreshing waiting for an email like this:

Subject: Half-Life 3 Announcement

Body: We'll be showing Half-Life 3 at gamescom. Contact so-and-so to schedule an appointment to see it.

Fuck ARGs and all other sorts of "viral marketing." Let's hope they don't do that.

I'll carry my own torch and say: Valve ARGs are awesome

[Rodi]

It turns out to be false, Lombardi has denied HL3 to be at GamesCom.

[Murdoc]

I needed a good laugh this morning. Thanks!

[Twig]

I'll carry my own torch and say: Valve ARGs are awesome

Mos def! It probably helps that I'm invested in Valve as a company. You might call me a... fanboy.

But basically, I've never been disappointed with a Valve product (except Steam can be a bit fucking clunky at times), so whatever they do, I always find myself drawn in. U:




but lol hl3 ain't never happenin'

[Merus]

I always figured they had no real reason to do HL3 because they've kind of said all they had to say with single-player first person shooters, much as I miss the company that put so much effort into developing storytelling techniques in an interactive medium.

Ah well, I'm kind of on the outs with Steam as it is, thanks to not being willing to agree to the new subscriber agreement that waives my right to a class action. Valve as a developer are highly entertaining, but I have significant reservations with Steam's resolution process as it is, particularly how it seems the only real appeal process is to convince the enthusiast press to write about you. I don't want to sign away any legal recourses, particularly ones designed to punish corporations that get a little too big for their britches, until I determine whether or not I have other, also suitable options. (It's just occured to me, though, that any significant problem I have might attract the attention of the ACCC. There's nothing in the contract about bringing Valve to the attention of a consumer watchdog with a taste for corporate blood and an inability to feel fear or remorse.)

[Orv]

Never been sure why people are so willing to play a third Half-Life after the first two were nothing more than technically impressive shooters.

Maybe you'll find your answer here. Or here if you can stand spoilers.

[Wikipedia Brown]

One of these days, I'll finish HL 2. It really drags at points.

[Brannigan]

I liked the half life series a lot, but honestly I find pretty much every other game they do, other than counterstrike, to be far more interesting. I'm fairly indifferent if they ever release another installment or not.

[Orv]

Maybe you'll find your answer here. Or hereif you can stand spoilers.

Having played them, they're not great. The story is middling, with interesting bits (GMan, Vortigaunts, Ravenholm), the gunplay is passable but not great, and while technically impressive in ways, the speedboat section of 2 serves to point out some nasty flaws in the Source build of the time. They're not that good. In fact I seem to remember us discussing this before with pretty much the same talking points on both sides.

[Murdoc]

Not going to change your mind, but I like the HL games for the art and atmosphere. I get enough enjoyment simply walking through the environments to justify saying the game is incredible.

And they aren't that technically impressive at this point, yet the atmosphere still holds up.

[Orv]

I can give you that. The first vista of City 17 when you walk out of the, what can you call it, customs facility, intake facility? Either way, it's pretty great. But atmosphere alone isn't enough to justify this craven lust some of the internet seems to possess for Half Life.

[TychoCelchuuu]

I can give you that. The first vista of City 17 when you walk out of the, what can you call it, customs facility, intake facility? Either way, it's pretty great. But atmosphere alone isn't enough to justify this craven lust some of the internet seems to possess for Half Life.

I'm not sure it's really up to you (or up to anyone except each individual person) to decide what level of [thing that they enjoy] justifies what level of "craven lust" (whatever that means) that they choose to have for a video game. I mean, you apparently like video games with atmosphere, but not enough to make you like Half-Life 2 as much as most people. Does that mean they're really unjustified in enjoying the games as much as they do? Or does it just mean they place a greater emphasis on, and thus derive more enjoyment from, things that you don't find as impressive?

[youmeyou]

It's true, people will lust for what they lust for. And the internet helps focus fanboy hype into a fine supercharged beam. The main thing that rankles me is the elitism that comes along with being a Half Life fanboy. That no other shooter or company ever has come close or will ever to the quality of that franchise. So you have Half-Life related threads starting up over gossamer filaments of hype when much more interesting and concrete shooters (like Dishonored or Bioshock Infinite) are barely discussed. Not to say that this site has that problem by a long shot. But it's my gut feeling when the cries of a thousand nerds rise up only to be silenced when whatever fake-news turns out to be false.