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[ScreenSplitter]

Valve has decided to make his game...? Has Valve, the company, finally gained sentience through billions of dollars of research invested into AI through hat sales?

 

[Dmax3901]

World of Half-Life.

R.I.P. Valve.

 

[Hanmik]

Sony just tweeted that it is true..

Spoiler

I have no idea what he is tweeting, but it certainly isn´t HL3 related..

 

[SpaceDrake]

Yup. Much of Half-Life 2 and most of Episode 2 were more like a road trip than a traditional linear campaign. There were clear indications that Valve wanted people to explore, but maybe their tech wasn't ready at the time.

That's another reason this idea doesn't seem completely out there. It would be a logical step, especially after HL2 Ep2. Even Half-Life 1 felt like it wanted to be more open than it was.

The only stumbling block I can see is that it could end up feeling a bit too much like modern Fallout, which is basically "a shooter with RPG elements". And I have no idea how you'd keep Gordon entirely silent during something like this. And the man totally has to stay silent.

 

[Xater]

Morrowind style zone loading returns, only on Source.

I know you are joking, but Valve said that they were working on making streaming work on Source right?

 

[Salacious Crumb]

It'd be a great demonstration of the streaming tech in source 2.

 

[Trick_GSF]

That'd actually be awesome. Fine by me.

 

[JaseC]

Interesting change of direction if true. As with every Valve-related rumour, though, that's a big "if".

An open world City 17 would be aweeeesome.

Atmosphere will be killer, whatever it is.

Well, (Episode One spoiler)

Spoiler

the explosion caused by the destruction of the Citadel, at the end of Episode One, took City 17 with it

.

 

[Visualante2]

They said 'her'. Should limit down the search greatly.

And if true it's good that Source 2.0 can handle proper streaming.

or it could just be a curve ball! also Valve seems to employ many women. So I'm not sure.

 

[ari]

People just don't learn, this game will never be made.

 

[JaseC]

I know you are joking, but Valve said that they were working on making streaming work on Source right?

Yes:

In this mammoth interview with Wolpaw, he mentions that, with regards to the loading screens in Portal 2, "Unfortunately, we have loading screens at all... we're going to fix that eventually."

Edit: 1m50s mark.

 

[Roq12]

Please Valve, no open world. Please!

 

[Poimandres]

Sounds a little like STALKER to me.... which is a great thing.

 

[Thermite]

I want to believe.

 

[Ajemsuhgao]

That would be awesome. So the evolution of the FPS genre will be open world.

Good that we can see the end of this:

Borderlands says hi?

 

[Theonik]

Elder Scrolls inspired?
Ewwww. Pre-order cancelled.

Spoiler

Not really, but WTF

 

[mandiller]

"Gordon, I need you to kill 10 headcrabs."

If we trusted every anonymous rumour we ever heard the internet would break down. I very much doubt Half-Life will go open world with RPG elements. Half-Life has always been about fine tuned level design, problem solving and story. If they made an open world RPG game it wouldn't be Half-Life anymore.

 

[Hindle]

It seems plausible, Valve have yet to do an open world game so maybe they want a challenge.

 

[xenist]

You know what?

I say go for it. I would love to see how Valve would approach a heavily systems based game. The possibilities are mouth watering.

 

[Rehynn]

Not sure if want. To me, HL2 was a perfect blend of linear road trip adventure and exploration with great variety.

 

[TUROK]

That would be awesome. So the evolution of the FPS genre will be open world.

Good that we can see the end of this:

What's funny about that picture is that they both showcase two different types of linear games.

 

[Luthos]

Ehhh.

An open world could be awesome. But RPGish with quests and stuff? I'm not sure I would dig that, and I fucking love RPGs. Also, I highly doubt Valve would change things this much.

 

[Piers]

Valve excel so well at linear progression. Can't imagine Half-Life and Portal with backtracking.

 

[Micerider]

They said 'her'. Should limit down the search greatly.

I think it's a mistranslation.

The word "Source" in French has a feminine gender. So, in the text, when they refer to the "source", they refer to "elle" (she) but it's in no way indicative of the gender of the person behind the source

Read the original article, and it's not so clear if the source is THAT reliable really, so I'd really emphasize on "RUMOR".

 

[Brad Grenz]

That would be awesome. So the evolution of the FPS genre will be open world.

Good that we can see the end of this:

2008:

 

[Jawmuncher]

I'll believe it when I see it, which'll be in 2020 when the game finally comes out.

 

[Man]

FarCry 2. Godlike.

 

[kutthoat5150]

an open world half life game where those black headcrabs could be anywhere instead of just the next room up ahead, yea ill be sure to have my mom on speed dial through the whole thing if this is true

 

[Eideka]

I hope it's true.

 

[ScreenSplitter]

What's funny about that picture is that they both showcase two different types of linear games.

... in the way that they don't?

2008:

The game must also be good.

 

[TUROK]

... in the way that they don't?

Ugh.

In Doom (the game that 1993 map is from), you have to approach everything in order to pass the level. You have to get one key first, then the second, then the third. It's always in the same order. You don't get to approach things in different ways, it's either you follow the order of the objectives or you stay stuck in the level. It's linear, but in a different way.

 

[Des0lar]

They said 'her'. Should limit down the search greatly.

And if true it's good that Source 2.0 can handle proper streaming.

The word "source" is probably female in french, so "her" is not directed at the gender of the source.

 

[Laughing Banana]

That would be awesome. So the evolution of the FPS genre will be open world.

Good that we can see the end of this:

Not that I don't understand what this picture is trying to imply, but for me personally Doom is just, like, a really really terrible example of level design. Terrible. Confusing layout, "take this key to open that door" all over the place, etc etc. I know it is unfair to subject a 1993 game to current standards of gaming, but nonetheless I just can't play it again without getting annoyed from top to bottom due to its shortcomings.

 

[ScreenSplitter]

Ugh.

In Doom (the game that 1993 map is from), you have to approach everything in order to pass the level. You have to get one key first, then the second, then the third. It's always in the same order. You don't get to approach things in different ways, it's either you follow the order of the objectives or you stay stuck in the level. It's linear, but in a different way.

When there's multiple keys, you often have to look around and explore. Linear doesn't just mean solving the level in a linear way, it also means just walking down a coridoor and shooting things, which a lot of modern FPS's entail. Also in Doom, there's loads of secrets to uncover, encouraging more exploration and backtracking.

 

[Corto]

Ugh.

In Doom (the game that 1993 map is from), you have to approach everything in order to pass the level. You have to get one key first, then the second, then the third. It's always in the same order. You don't get to approach things in different ways, it's either you follow the order of the objectives or you stay stuck in the level. It's linear, but in a different way.

Exactly. It's more of a maze in terms of the level construction but the progression of the player actions is completely linear. The complexity it's on the level design.

 

[xenist]

FarCry 2. Godlike.

If it didn't have the stupid respawning checkpoints because of stupid RAM limitations it would easily be in my Top 5 FPS games of all time. They made getting around unbearably stupid.

 

[Mysterious Stranger]

I hate open worlds. The story gets messed up and you get lost in what you are supposed to do.

 

[derFeef]

If it is open world you have my permission to spend as long time as you like Valve.

If it is linear like Half-Life 2 just push it out the door.

Call of Pripyat >>>> Half-Baked 2

I, ... I... what?

 

[xenist]

Exactly. It's more of a maze in terms of the level construction but the progression of the player actions is completely linear. The complexity it's on the level design.

As opposed to modern FPS games where complexity isn't present anywhere. Not in level deisgn, not in gameplay, not in story.

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

Do not want.

Half-Life is a great linear experience. I want the final chapter to be the same.

This is CLEARLY bollocks though.

 

[Hypron]

No thanks. I like open world games when done right (STALKER) but that's not what I expect from a half life game. And taking inspiration from The Elder Scrolls? Hell no, that's the last thing I want.

 

[Corto]

As opposed to modern FPS games where complexity isn't present anywhere. Not in level deisgn, not in gameplay, not in story.

Yes, I agree with that too. I won't argue with you on that.

 

[Cave Johnson]

"open-world, quests and NPCs will be waiting for you! One of the inspirations the developers would also be the series of Elder Scrolls (Skyrim, Oblivion)."


Oh please god no. The only way this can actually happen is when EA successfully buys out Valve.

 

[dark_inferno]

Please god no rumor about HL3. Its sooo fucking annoying to read rumors about a game that is 6 years in development and valve doesnt even talk about it.

 

[mysteriousmage09]

Please god no rumor about HL3. Its sooo fucking annoying to read rumors about a game that is 6 years in development and valve doesnt even talk about it.

Valvenix

 

[Fjordson]

This would make me way more interested in HL 3 if true.

 

[Ein Bear]

I hope it's not true, I'm not much of a fan of open world shooters. Instead of the rollercoaster ride of HL2, you'd do something fun... Then have to spend half an hour walking to get to the next bit. Just strikes me as artificial gameplay padding.

 

[McLovin]

Hope it's true, that would mean that engine got some nice upgrades.

 

[Saty]

Yeah, no. Especially if it's supposed to be riddled with side quests. How the hell do you that with the story of HL. Mankind is facing its biggest threat but hold on some prick wants to bring him X number of Y before he gives you whatever you need to save everybody's ass.

It would only work if it's something like it's taking place in the Arctic, Combine ship crashing down with its debris flung in a wide radius so you need to retrieve some pieces and choosing which crash area to visit.

NPC's with a mind of their own when they are supposed to be part of the Resistance or simple citizens at camps is a big no-no.

 

[JonnyBrad]

No thanks, i want a fast paced action orientated Half Life without a bunch of shitty side quests.