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[Ark-AMN]

Better prepare for another cliff-hanger ending in episode 1:

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/halflife2aftermath/news_6144642.html

The second expansion for the ultrapopular PC shooter is in the works and will build on Episode One's cliff-hanger ending.

Just over a week ago, Valve Software changed the name of Half-Life 2: Aftermath to Half-Life 2: Episode One.

Given Valve's plans, it should come as little or no surprise that, yes, there will be a Half-Life 2: Episode Two. Speaking with British site Computer and Video Games, Valve designer Robin Walker said that a second expansion "has been in development for some time." He gave no release window for the expansion, thought it will obviously be several months after Episode One's April 24 ship date.

Walker also let slip a few hints about the plots of both expansion packs. "Episode One will not end with an all-encompassing conclusion", he said, comparing it to Half-Life 2's less-than-cut-and-dry denouement. He also allayed any fears that the series will stray from its roots, saying Valve has "to be considerate to our audience in terms of giving them what they want."

 

[BuddyC]

Well, it's been common knowledge, for some time, that there would be several episodic installments following Aftermath.

I'm more excited about the April 24th release date, hopefully I can get my PC tweaked and functioning beforehand. The last time I tried to do that, I ended up somehow frying the motherboard, so here's hoping for better results this time around. All I want to do is play HL2 without the stuttering. I used to be able to, but then I got myself a new motherboard and everything went downhill from there

 

[Ark-AMN]

Hmm, a bit more information from Halflife2.net

Those wonderful folks at Valve have confirmed on cvg.com that the expansion formerly known as Aftermath will be followed by an Episode Two (to which the only correct response can be 'no shit, Sherlock'). But more importantly, they're already hard at work on it, and indeed have been since they started producing Episode One.

'Valve's Robin Walker, designer/engineer on Episode 1, informed us that Episode 2 "has been in development for some time" in an interview that'll be winging its way to you shortly. Although he didn't elaborate further, it sounds as though Episode 2 may appear sooner than we could have hoped. We're definitely keeping trigger fingers crossed on that one, especially as the developer has aimed to offer "between 4 to 6 hours" of gameplay time with Episode 1, according to Walker - shorter, perhaps, than fans might have expected.'

In the course of said interview, he also dropped some evil teasers on Episode One's storyline sure to set spare-time speculators in a spin. When questioned on the plot, he remarked that "Episode 1 will not end with an all-encompassing conclusion" - but also claimed it would address some important questions such as it will address some specific questions, he revealed: "What happened to the Citadel at the end of Half-Life 2?", "What happened to Breen, is he dead?" and (gasp!) "How does the G-Man factor into all of this?"

 

[Amir0x]

Definitely excited about this. Cannot wait to see what's up with the story.

 

[LAMBO]

Can't wait to play more of the best single player FPS series ever.

 

[Mrbob]

April 24?

Time to replay Half Life 2 again soon.

I hope the wait between episodes is not too long. Three month intervals would be nice.

 

[Phranky]

April 24?

Time to replay Half Life 2 again soon.

I hope the wait between episodes is not too long. Three month intervals would be nice.

I was thinking about replaying it again, perhaps increasing the difficulty level this time... I can't wait for episode one.

 

[Zombie James]

Will it be free?

 

[Mrbob]

Will it be free?

Nope. It'll probably be around 10-15 dollars.

 

[MrSardonic]

ok, I need to upgrade my PC and enjoy HL2 and these expansions properly...I've been pissing around with this shitty setup for too long. I need advice:

I've got a 3.2Ghz P4, some POS gfx card, and either 512MB or 1GB ( :lol yeah, I should know really). What do I need to get to enjoy the HL2 "series" as it was meant to be played rather than on minimum settings...without breaking the bank. Thanks

 

[Tain]

I'd say a gig of ram and something other than a POS graphics card.

My Radeon 9800 Pro worked well enough.

 

[TemplaerDude]

I'd like to see them bundle up maybe HL2 and the expansion so I can buy them... at a store...

 

[rainer516]

I'd like to see them bundle up maybe HL2 and the expansion so I can buy them... at a store...

Good luck with that one you technology hater! Go back to your stone age with your cartridges and such. Now where'd I park my flying car?

 

[teepo]

I'd like to see them bundle up maybe HL2 and the expansion so I can buy them... at a store...

i gurantee it wont happen until all the episodes are completed.