-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
Interview with Gabe Newell
- Thread starter EatChildren
- Start date
REMEMBER CITADEL
Banned
EatChildren said:
Now that would be a cool pantomime cutscene.
LiquidMetal14
hide your water-based mammals
Wish someone would post a recap as I have to work soon and don't have time to listen to it right now.
Guerrillas in the Mist
Member
MMaRsu said:
Because the answer is always the same.
.Superimposer
This is getting weirder all the time
This guy sure likes to say killer. Out of curiosity what is the "same answer" that's always given re: Episode 3?
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
A few notes from the interview.
- They're not done with single player games as the stupid rumour stated. Gabe specifies it more as a "Single Player+" attitude, where they believe socially connected gaming is important should play some part in the experience. That doesn't mean there wont be single player games, just that they'll adopt ideas that use social networking and other social concepts.
- Dont really consider themselves a game developer for any specific platform. They dont really take into account the platform specifically so much as their market and audiance. As a technology developer however, they still primarily focus on PC as the groundwork.
- TF2 is often used as a test bed for technologies to be put in other games, but Portal 2 will also be used in a similar way, and we'll be seeing more of this in the first round of Portal 2 DLC.
- Comments on the whole microtransaction thing, and says a balance must be found. Specifically notes DLC packs containing maps as being a bad idea, as it means less people are playing your maps decreasing their value. Still interested in creating an environment that allows fans to build and development content for their games that rewards them with cash. Uses the Polycount Pack creators as an example, stating they earned ~US$40,000 (I think it was) each in the first couple of weeks.
- Dont consider mute or speaking protagonists to be right or wrong, just think that each decision has its own merits and impacts many other smaller decisions. Its not as simple as making your main character speak, as that then effects many other aspects of the game that need to be taken into account.
- Will continue using Source as an upgradable engine as it helps make game development easier and more comfortable, but recognises that at some point significant portions of the framework will need to be changed.
- Really likes knives.
"We'll talk about it when we're ready". It's basically just a waiting game. There's absolutely no point badgering Valve about it as there's no way they're going to say anything until the game is ready to be announced.
- They're not done with single player games as the stupid rumour stated. Gabe specifies it more as a "Single Player+" attitude, where they believe socially connected gaming is important should play some part in the experience. That doesn't mean there wont be single player games, just that they'll adopt ideas that use social networking and other social concepts.
- Dont really consider themselves a game developer for any specific platform. They dont really take into account the platform specifically so much as their market and audiance. As a technology developer however, they still primarily focus on PC as the groundwork.
- TF2 is often used as a test bed for technologies to be put in other games, but Portal 2 will also be used in a similar way, and we'll be seeing more of this in the first round of Portal 2 DLC.
- Comments on the whole microtransaction thing, and says a balance must be found. Specifically notes DLC packs containing maps as being a bad idea, as it means less people are playing your maps decreasing their value. Still interested in creating an environment that allows fans to build and development content for their games that rewards them with cash. Uses the Polycount Pack creators as an example, stating they earned ~US$40,000 (I think it was) each in the first couple of weeks.
- Dont consider mute or speaking protagonists to be right or wrong, just think that each decision has its own merits and impacts many other smaller decisions. Its not as simple as making your main character speak, as that then effects many other aspects of the game that need to be taken into account.
- Will continue using Source as an upgradable engine as it helps make game development easier and more comfortable, but recognises that at some point significant portions of the framework will need to be changed.
- Really likes knives.
Superimposer said:
"We'll talk about it when we're ready". It's basically just a waiting game. There's absolutely no point badgering Valve about it as there's no way they're going to say anything until the game is ready to be announced.
REMEMBER CITADEL
Banned
Superimposer said:
"Tomorrow."
Heavy's Sandvich
Member
The interviewer is not very good.
Hot Coldman
Banned
Heavy's Sandvich said:
No shit, it's just some dude on reddit, what did you expect? His questions were decent anyway- glad he brought up the 'single player' thing.
Foliorum Viridum
Banned
Really curious to see how this will impact the next Half-Life game.EatChildren said:
And, because it's Valve, I'm not worried about it at all. <3
SatelliteOfLove
Member
Trickster said:
There's been many games with two or more mute characters communicating with each other. Body language and well-made* action sequences can be more powerful than any dialogue.
*note how Newell mentions well-made in his talks.
I could see a sequence in Half-Life 3 where Gordon and Chell meet but she's way off in the distance. They communicate to each other using hand signals and other means because they are too far away from each other to hear. They need to work together shooting portals, knocking over bridges, blowing shit up, etc. so they both may get to where they're going, but they never actually meet face to face.
crimsonheadGCN
Banned
olore said:
There should be a shot of the knife collection here: http://www.giantbomb.com/giant-bomb-valve/17-4014/
2:25 mark
Foliorum Viridum
Banned
With Valve's attitude, I don't think Chell or the portal gun will be anywhere in a Half-Life game.DaBuddaDa said:
They've been very reserved with the tie-ins so far. That's what makes it cool.
Typographenia
Member
Gabe always sounds like the most laid back, easy to talk to guy.
Rather funny, considering how much he puts into his work up at Valve.
I thought it was a pretty great interview, and it's really cool to see how even his hobbies influence his approach to business/development.
Rather funny, considering how much he puts into his work up at Valve.
I thought it was a pretty great interview, and it's really cool to see how even his hobbies influence his approach to business/development.
darkpaladinmfc
Member
It doesn't answer anything, if Valve is going to show anything new at E3 they sure as hell won't hint towards it in an interview like this.1-D_FTW said:
Yeah, you're probably right, but I'm talking theoretical here, as an idea to answer the reviewer's question. Gordon and Chell could work together but be distant so they never have to actually talk.Foliorum Viridum said:
Gabe has in the past few interviews made it clear that Dota 2 is their main focus after Portal 2. I expect a huge, playable blowout of the game at this E3.1-D_FTW said:
darkpaladinmfc
Member
We knew that any ways, a game as big as DOTA2 can't be a side project, it's like expecting that a hypothetical Counter-Strike 2 is just a side project.1-D_FTW said:
darkpaladinmfc said:
I don't even know what we're arguing. Is it possible they'll show HL/Episode 3 at e3? Sure. It's been 4 years and we've never had a trailer. Is it coming out in 2011? No way. When Newell says Valve is currently decompressing from Portal 2 and focused on DOTA 2 and then mentions DOTA 2 as one of the 3 games he currently plays for enjoyment, I can take the hint. Assuming Valve does expand their capacity and can release 2 games in 2011, DOTA 2 is going to be the second game. HL3 is 2012 at best. No need for unrealistic expectations.
prodystopian
Member
EatChildren said:
Anyone familiar enough with Source to say whether or not this was the reason for the loading in Portal 2? I loved the game, but the loads really broke up the action, and I feel as though this is a problem that was dealt with as far back as Soul Reaver. Is it down to the way Source handles assets?
Foliorum Viridum
Banned
As much as I'm still dying for HL3, Portal 2 has kinda eased the pain and waiting until at least next year doesn't seem so bad now.
I felt the same after L4D2, as well.
I think I just need a regular dose of Valve games because they're so much better than anything else. DOTA2 doesn't interest me at all, though, so it might be a long time until I get to play another unless there's a surprise L4D3 announcement which I doubt.
I felt the same after L4D2, as well.
I think I just need a regular dose of Valve games because they're so much better than anything else. DOTA2 doesn't interest me at all, though, so it might be a long time until I get to play another unless there's a surprise L4D3 announcement which I doubt.
prodystopian said:
Yeah, I really preffer to stay into the elevator between tests, but man, those loading screens in the middle of the level...Source to me is a really great and versatile engine. Maybe just a bit outdated but not at all something I would care about. The only problem is that the loading times are getting long, so they should just implement streamed loads.
theinfinityissue
Member
Interesting interview. There's also a really good one with Erik Wolpaw over at GiantBomb today. Awesome day to be a Valve fanboy.
I will say this, though. I'm like, super disinterested in DOTA 2. I've never been less interested in a Valve project, and I was pretty uninterested in the Left 4 Dead titles. With Portal 2 out, digested, and savored, the only real "Valvey" stuff we have to look forward to are little snacks of Portal 2 dlc. We need a new project to salivate over, and I'm hoping E3 will provide that. Hell, it doesn't even have to be Half Life 3. I'd be as hyped for a new IP.
I will say this, though. I'm like, super disinterested in DOTA 2. I've never been less interested in a Valve project, and I was pretty uninterested in the Left 4 Dead titles. With Portal 2 out, digested, and savored, the only real "Valvey" stuff we have to look forward to are little snacks of Portal 2 dlc. We need a new project to salivate over, and I'm hoping E3 will provide that. Hell, it doesn't even have to be Half Life 3. I'd be as hyped for a new IP.
prodystopian said:
Pretty much. Source doesn't stream data; the assets of each map are instead loaded into RAM in one operation. It's a rather strange omission as the scaled-down version of the engine used for the Xbox port of Half-Life 2 incorporated a file streaming system to overcome the lack of available RAM.
prodystopian
Member
JaseC said:
Thanks, that's what I was interested in. Honestly, I think it was a good choice. I'd be surprised if Valve doesn't have a team currently working on a new engine, but forcing it too soon would have delayed Portal 2 quite a bit. I'd love to hear if/how that decision was made, but that would mean hearing about where they are at with a new engine, which won't happen anytime soon.
AlimNassor
Banned
So after DOTA 2 can we expect Half life EP 3?