Support NeoGAF

[OBias]

I wonder if this is even the plot or if it's just Laidlaw's headcanon. Like that Breen Grub twitter account he ran a while back.

Either way, it would've been cool to see all of that, except that Alyx character assassination bs. She wouldn't just go nuts and shoot someone like that

She is on the edge after her father's death.

 

[Vital Tundra]

You know it kinda hurts. Like, I knew it wasn't coming all these years. I didn't want to believe it but I knew it deep down. Now with Ep. 3's plot out there it kinda just really hit me that Half-Life is dead, and all Valve wants is the big bucks from Dota and CSGO. Man... Half-Life has such an impact on me as a wee little bab its really upsetting to say goodbye.

 

[Primethius]

God damnit Valve.

 

[VDenter]

So did anyone pay for Episode 3?

How many people would have bought Half Life 2 if they said the second episode will end on a cliffhanger that will never be resolved?

 

[Holiday]

Good to see the consumers in here defending poor Valve from the expectations that Valve itself created. Wouldn't want our eCasino to catch heat from the mean fans that it has been ghosting for years.

 

[Soroc]

Man I really like that ending. Sounded pretty tight and well structured honestly. Disappointing they never were able to really make it.

Now that we have the backbone and major story points, wonder if someone within the community will take up the mantle and actually make it

 

[Hero_of_the_Day]

Are you serious? There was no "deal" for a third episode. The only "deal" being made was between you and the retailer buying a copy of Episode 1, 2 or the orange box. You didn't buy a season pass, or pay for content that at the time had not yet been made, so in terms of a customer getting what they paid for, you got EXACTLY what you paid for.

Yes, there was a deal, and it was of Valve's design. They marketed them as parts of a trilogy. People engaged with their products with that in mind. Why shouldn't people expect Valve to deliver what they promised?

No, I didn't pay for episode 3. I did pay for episode 1 and 2 because I was told they were parts of a whole story. I absolutely would not have paid my money, or spent my time on those products had I known that Valve wasn't actually going to deliver what they said they were. It matters what companies say when marketing their products.

 

[strafer]

Think I'm going to replay Half Life 2 tonight, been a really long time since I played it, 6 years or so.

What are you guys favorite level of that game? I'm a fan of Nova Prospekt, the music is awesome in that level.

 

[TheLostBigBoss]

Think I'm going to replay Half Life 2 tonight, been a really long time since I played it, 6 years or so.

What are you guys favorite level of that game? I'm a fan of Nova Prospekt, the music is awesome in that level.

I had the same thought, think I might do a replay when I get home as well. Savor the small details

 

[Youngfossil]

Unless you have already paid for it and are not reimbursed, then yes, it's entitlement.

Seriously, Valve owes jackshit to anyone and they can do as they see fit.

I agree they dont owe anyone anything. But to turn their back on both the franchise that made them and the customers/fans that also made them is despicable. This is not just any old franchise. Without it and its fans there would be no steam.

 

[sirap]

Think I'm going to replay Half Life 2 tonight, been a really long time since I played it, 6 years or so.

What are you guys favorite level of that game? I'm a fan of Nova Prospekt, the music is awesome in that level.

Water Hazard. It gets a lot of hate but everything about that section clicked for me. Didn't hurt that Source's water shader looked amazing at the time.

EDIT: I would've loved Ravenholm more if I didn't watch that Blink video a million times. Good god thinking about it brings back so many memories. Dat washing machine.

 

[kvothe232]

Either way, it would've been cool to see all of that, except that Alyx character assassination bs. She wouldn't just go nuts and shoot someone like that

It does say Alyx blames Dr Mossman for the death of her father, someone she showed to love very much, not only that but the death made Alyx closed off to reason that Mossman was a triple agent, so Alyx also saw Mossman as a traitor.

Those alone would be enough to warrant Alyx killing her. Plus the scene could still be played out with Alyx fighting against herself to pull the trigger before she finally does.

 

[Sesuadra]

So did anyone pay for Episode 3?

Same with GRRM, no one has paid shit for the upcoming books so essentially, he doesn't owe people anything.

some people would probably say yes, b/c they've invested money in merchandise/books/other stuff in the GRRM universe.

same with half life..

other say no, b/c of course you've not paid for the game/book itself yet.

but this question has been discussed a lot on gaf in threads about GRRM/Rothfuss and other things..

 

[KdotIX]

Think I'm going to replay Half Life 2 tonight, been a really long time since I played it, 6 years or so.

What are you guys favorite level of that game? I'm a fan of Nova Prospekt, the music is awesome in that level.

Ravenholm is supreme, proper nailed atmosphere and launching buzzsaws at zombies with the gravity gun was fun!

 

[andycapps]

That's kind of a silly thing to say, Valve continues to support TF2 and CSGO. TF/CS are two major franchises from their history.

They're patching them and making hats/skins. That's the extent. Do you think you'll see a TF3 anytime soon? CSGO sequel isn't really necessary, but I don't think you'd get that anyway.

 

[Yukinari]

That's kind of a silly thing to say, Valve continues to support TF2 and CSGO. TF/CS are two major franchises from their history.

With how long its taking just to release the jungle/pyro update i completely forgot theyre even supporting the game.

Didnt even bother doing a summer update so i played OW.

 

[Uhyve]

Distinctions are good, don't worry! I understand you more clearly now.

See, I'm biased because I work in the industry (not Valve, before you ask) so I'm very much in the train of thought that if a developer doesn't want to do something, then they shouldn't have to do it.

That said, I agree to the extent that fans deserved closure. Not necessarily a game, but some kind of closure that wrapped up the arch. The thing is, after this morning I feel like we have it. We know what was going to happen and how things were going to be wrapped up and that's good enough for me. I long gave up on any hope that this game would come out, so the fact that this even exists is amazing IMO.

Honestly, this is probably fine as closure for me aswell, it kinda hurts, but it's enough I think.

I was mostly just taking issue with people calling fans entitled as an insult. But only because I don't think that entitlement is always a bad thing, in my opinion, sometimes it just means sticking up for yourself as a consumer.

I mean, there's a lot of people who love this series and want to see it completed some day, I don't really want Valve to see that as some sort of creative pressure, like they have to make another Half Life. It'd just be nice for them to acknowledge those fans, even if it meant an Episode 3 comic or something (something that they've done in the past for both TF and Portal).

Edit: Just to be clear though, Artifact is like salt in the wound.

 

[Head.spawn]

Half0Life 3 is coming guys... just in the form of a moba candy-crush-like

 

[SmiteOfHand]

So did anyone pay for Episode 3?

Same with GRRM, no one has paid shit for the upcoming books so essentially, he doesn't owe people anything.

Yes. You are right. Relationship between creator and audience should only be measured in monetary transaction. Neither side has any leg to stand on ever if money has never changed hands. Where can I click accept on this EULA?

 

[Tuck]

^what this guy said

So did anyone pay for Episode 3?

Same with GRRM, no one has paid shit for the upcoming books so essentially, he doesn't owe people anything.

No, there is no contractual obligation. As I've said half a dozen times now.

That doesn't mean people are being unreasonable for being disapointed, however.

Being disapointed that you aren't getting something you were promised/told you were going to get (again, not a contract, just words) is a valid reason to be disapointed, I'd say, especially if you were invested in the product.

 

[mordecaii83]

I feel like I finally have closure, like I can finally stop getting angry/upset about HL3 being nowhere to be seen. It feels good.

 

[HandsomeCharles]

Yes, there was a deal, and it was of Valve's design. They marketed them as parts of a trilogy. People engaged with their products with that in mind. Why shouldn't people expect Valve to deliver what they promised?

No, I didn't pay for episode 3. I did pay for episode 1 and 2 because I was told they were parts of a whole story. I absolutely would not have paid my money, or spent my time on those products had I known that Valve wasn't actually going to deliver what they said they were. It matters what companies say when marketing their products.

We are probably coming at this from different angles as I wasn't interested in Half Life until I bought the Orange Box (which I got only for Portal).

That said, it really feels like you're clutching at straws a bit if you're still hung up over spending £40 ten years ago. The only real investment anyone can still have with these games is emotional, which I get because I share the disappointment of not getting the playable third chapter, but now I know how the story ends which is infinitely better than wondering forever.

 

[Z3M0G]

Started reading... then realized i dont even remembered what happened in Ep2, or if i even played it.

 

[OBias]

I wonder if anyone working at Valve is reading this thread.

 

[inky]

Thank you, Marc.

 

[hrab]

Think I'm going to replay Half Life 2 tonight, been a really long time since I played it, 6 years or so.

What are you guys favorite level of that game? I'm a fan of Nova Prospekt, the music is awesome in that level.

Highway 17, and it's great sense of a journey peaking in Nova Prospekt. Fock it, I am going to play again as well.

 

[lantus]

As much as it pleases me to see some actual fucking acknowledgement on this. It just pisses me off even more because it just further cements what a shit company Valve is now. Once all of those free-to-play games and Steam bucks started rolling in they really just didn't give a fuck anymore.

 

[Meifu]

Spoiler

Can't say I was expecting anything better after all this time.

 

[foltzie1]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5vw9RTVky4

 

[the TMO]

12:00 HL3 announced
12:02 first forum posts "I'm worried about the direction HL3 is going in"
12:03 "HL3 is not what I was expecting"
12:04 "the character models are a bit low resolution"
12:05 "I don't like the new mechanics"
12:06 "HL3 is pandering to political correctness"
12:07 "HL3 has no soul"
12:09 "I wish HL3 had stayed cancelled"

This.

 

[Carl7]

I love the comparison to Amazon:

Amazon used to run a store and is now producing original content, Valve used to produce original content people loved and is now just running a store.

 

[Kaako]

Honestly other than R&D on next gen HMDs/VR support, Valve is legit dead to me. They have zero games/projects cooking in the pipeline that I'm looking forward to or interested in.
Where the fuck did it all go wrong?

 

[Easy_D]

I love the comparison to Amazon:

Amazon used to run a store and is now producing original content, Valve used to produce original content people loved and is now just running a store.

They're both producing content. They're both in the Games as a Service business. They both run their own successful stores. The only comparison between Valve and Amazon should be that they're heading in the same direction when it comes to games.

Honestly other than R&D on next gen HMDs/VR support, Valve is legit dead to me. They have zero games/projects cooking in the pipeline that I'm looking forward to or interested in.
Where the fuck did it all go wrong?

The "Anything Goes" attitude at Valve is what went wrong. It also seemingly went very right from a company standpoint given how much bank they've made. But no one has any interest in making a single player game. That said, Black Mesa *is* an officially endorsed product in development. Who knows what they'll let that team do afterwards?

I wouldn't be opposed to that team working with Marc as a consultant on the plot making Episode 3/Half Life 3.

 

[Carl7]

Let all those jokes turn into anger.

 

[foltzie1]

I love the comparison to Amazon:

Amazon used to run a store and is now producing original content, Valve used to produce original content people loved and is now just running a store.

So Amazon should make HL2 E3?

 

[lantus]

This.

It goes without saying you can't please everyone, but none of those are reasonable excuses if you actually have some creative vision and stick to your guns on what you think is right. A lot of the best games take those risks and some would even say they are necessary. There's just no one at Valve up to the challenge.

 

[nachum00]

We are probably coming at this from different angles as I wasn't interested in Half Life until I bought the Orange Box (which I got only for Portal).

That said, it really feels like you're clutching at straws a bit if you're still hung up over spending £40 ten years ago. The only real investment anyone can still have with these games is emotional, which I get because I share the disappointment of not getting the playable third chapter, but now I know how the story ends which is infinitely better than wondering forever.

It's hard to forget someone fucking you over 10 years ago when they've been purposefully vague and leading you on about it for said 10 years.

 

[CHC]

Unless you have already paid for it and are not reimbursed, then yes, it's entitlement.

Seriously, Valve owes jackshit to anyone and they can do as they see fit.

So did anyone pay for Episode 3?

Same with GRRM, no one has paid shit for the upcoming books so essentially, he doesn't owe people anything.

Great, yes, I'm glad we have you to reiterate the exact letter of the law here.

Again, the restaurant analogy: If you go into a restaurant and order food, and the server doesn't bring you your check or your food, you're not legally "owed" anything since you never paid. It doesn't mean the restaurant did the right thing.

Valve has disrespected their fans and the series that built them very badly. The semantics are the semantics, some will say "owe" or "entitle," others may not.

 

[labx]

Yours in infinite finality... goddamn what a way to go.

 

[jtb]

Every Half Life game will always start in media res and end on a cliff hanger. Expecting closure was kind of missing the point. The franchise's plot/mythos exists to spin its sci-fi wheels and move you from point A to point B, and that's fine.

 

[andycapps]

I wonder if anyone working at Valve is reading this thread.

I'm sure they are.

 

[Feffe]

People defending Valve here should understand the differences between "demanding a sequel" and "demanding the conclusion of the story you've invested time, emotion and money".

If every writer did the same thing as Valve we would end up with an endless amount of interesting stories without an end. The whole notion of "episodic/serial storytelling" would collapse, because nobody want to waste time in things leading nowhere.

 

[Hero_of_the_Day]

That said, it really feels like you're clutching at straws a bit if you're still hung up over spending £40 ten years ago.

Sure, but it has been 10 years of "What the fuck is going on!?" It's 10 years of artwork here, anonymous interview there, and radio fucking silence from Valve. That's what keeps the annoyance so fresh.

The only real investment anyone can still have with these games is emotional, which I get because I share the disappointment of not getting the playable third chapter, but now I know how the story ends which is infinitely better than wondering forever.

And yeah, like I said a page back, this posting from a known source does go a long ways of finally giving some closure. This is all on Valve for making promises and not fulfilling them, and deciding that the best course of action is to remain silent. Just come the fuck out and officially say "there's no Half-Life."

 

[Vincent Alexander]

I'm sure they are.

....and giving no fucks while doing so.

 

[Window]

Given the nature of the story in these games, it would be apt to leave some storylines ambiguous and open but this just seems like it leads absolutely no where.

 

[Carl7]

So Amazon should make HL2 E3?

And shut down the store to focus on gamming.

 

[giancarlo123x]

12:00 HL3 announced
12:02 first forum posts "I'm worried about the direction HL3 is going in"
12:03 "HL3 is not what I was expecting"
12:04 "the character models are a bit low resolution"
12:05 "I don't like the new mechanics"
12:06 "HL3 is pandering to political correctness"
12:07 "HL3 has no soul"
12:09 "I wish HL3 had stayed cancelled"

Sadly accurate.

 

[Ragnarsson]

I'm not a huge fan of the franchise, but this whole situation is still very depressing. Honestly, when I first saw this I thought it was a joke thread or something... yet, here we are. Episode 3 revealed, not as a brand new game, but as a blog entry.

And the whole entitlement talk going around in this thread is almost equally as depressing. First, people using entitlement as if it was a filthy word, which it isn't. But more important than that is the almost absurd lack of empathy shown. People had expectations regarding this franchise, and those expectations are understandable and legitimate - and Valve played a role in playing with and fostering those expectations. Half-Life was (and still is) a beloved single-player narrative-driven franchise. The story it told was left unfinished, but people were led to believe throughout the years that a follow-up was on its way (though I'm not a fan of the franchise, I still recall the episodic releases being announced as a trilogy). People couldn't care less about the business-side of it - and to be frank, they shouldn't. Most of us are consumers, not developers or shareholders. People don't engage with a corporate structure or business decisions, they engage with products, with stories, with characters. It's only natural that people are disappointed, not only with the lack of proper closure, but also with Valve itself and the lack or communication/care they've been displaying.

 

[CHC]

Every Half Life game will always start in media res and end on a cliff hanger. Expecting closure was kind of missing the point. The franchise's plot/mythos exists to spin its sci-fi wheels and move you from point A to point B, and that's fine.

Totally, but by the same token there are different types of cliffhangers. The one in Episode 2 was immediate - a character died and a short-term goal was set. The one at the end of Episode 3 is much more conclusive - the powers that be intervene and the next major phase of the struggle (or it's utter hopelessness) is put into context. The latter I can live with as closure, the former not so much.

 

[Aurongel]

As dissatisfying as this is, it does feel like I have a small modicum of closure that I didn't have before. After ten years of silence, this feels like a large relief to me.