Half-Life 2: Episode Three

No this ain't an announcement, quite the contrary. I was just wondering, where does info arrive first that Valve announces, because the time is fast approaching for something to pop up about EP3.

So my question: Who/what site/magazine will be the first to know when Episode Three gets announced to come out? If anyone's got the URL or the name of the source, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks

I wouldn't worry about this. I'm sure all the gaming press and forums would be all over it so your bound to hear it somehow.

Me thinks an announcement should be coming soon, maybe E3 next year or something would be nice.

Riven'll probably make a news post about it so be sure to check the front page from time to time.

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Aaron's Stuff

**Dedi** said:
the time is fast approaching for something to pop up about EP3.

Are you sure? I can almost guarantee you that we won't hear anything about Episode 3 until L4D2 is released. And they'll probably wait for a major event. E3 2010?

It will be all over the whole of the internets. You can link the RPS news feed directly to an alarm clock you always carry with you, reacting to search terms like "Valve" and "Episode 3". That way you're on the safe side if you want to be the first person in the world to hear about it.

Gabe Newel talked about it a little bit on GT TV back when they were covering L4D2. That, it's being made ... and it's coming ... at some point. It might get another packaging deal like Orange Box with something new like Portal 2 or Counter-Strike 2 or something as such.

In any case, you will hear it when it's said, no doubt.

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Blame it on Microsoft, God does.

Hmm, regarding my quote with 'time is fast approaching'.. it's been around the same time gap as there has been between most of the other Half-Life games... but.. really??? next E3??? That's like.. next year!! I will need medication to minimise the anxiety

GT TV? I'm not familliar. I'll bet they're throwing in all these games like L4D2 and Portal2 to break the timing because they're in development of "Half-Life 3" or something that drastic. Maybe they've lied about Episode 3 to make the public think it's in development and not even question that an entire new engine may be in development..That would be very nice news indeed.. or maybe they're just broke.. but I doubt that very much given they always produce award-winning games.. they gotta pick up buckets of money with that don't they...?

They wouldn't lie about what they're working on.

But Crono tells me that Valve are working on Half-Life 2 Episode 3 and Half-life 3 plus a few other titles. They're just waiting for the right time.

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Aaron's Stuff

**Dedi** said:
GT TV? I'm not familliar. I'll bet they're throwing in all these games like L4D2 and Portal2 to break the timing because they're in development of "Half-Life 3" or something that drastic. Maybe they've lied about Episode 3 to make the public think it's in development and not even question that an entire new engine may be in development..That would be very nice news indeed.. or maybe they're just broke.. but I doubt that very much given they always produce award-winning games.. they gotta pick up buckets of money with that don't they...?

Here's the deal, making a new engine, when your business ISN'T selling middleware, makes no sense.
What DOES make sense, is if you continue development on your current one. Which Valve does constantly.

I know that new games from companies that looks way better gives the impression that they rebuilt the technology from the ground up, but, in all actuality, you could give it a new renderer (something CryTek does about every 6 months it seems) and it will appear completely different, even though underlying technology is mostly similar.

Most of what makes the Source engine the Source engine, is the architecture of it, not really any particular implementation within it. Meaning, if they made a new engine, it would mean the architecture needs to be different. With current design practices this is only the case when you're switching hardware platforms. (In the case of stuff like Unreal Engine, generally, Epic is going to withhold new technologies from the current engine, so they can put them in the next one, so you'll buy it.) In any case, this is the goal when developing very large pieces of software. If you make something that you can add to and refine indefinitely, then you're costs will be way down and your productivity will be way up. Valve is full of a bunch of smart guys, they're well aware of this.

Valve is the kind of company who continues working on all their properties nearly constantly. It'd be naive in any case to assume HL3 isn't being worked on. In fact, it'd be naive to think they're not working on sequels for all their games, even working on plans for a new engine (eventually), and new steam platform, but these are all, most likely, very long term plans.

Here's the video I was talking about. It's a show made by GameTrailers.com, they put it on their website and show it on Spike.

http://www.gametrailers.com/episode/gametrailers-tv/67?ch=1&sd=0

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Blame it on Microsoft, God does.

Valve certainly isn't falling for the same trap as Crysis ("Oh, our game isn't backward compatible-- it's forward compatible!!!"), and I applaud them.

However, by 2010, the introduction of the Source engine will be as far away as Source was from GoldSource. If you consider the near-finished 2003 demos, it will even be longer. And the more I work with Hammer (and 3DSMax, lately), the more I realize just how backward Source really is.

The argument of having some sort of global illumination pre-rendered is loosing its ground, since there are convincing real-time alternatives floating around which (at least by 2010) will make Source lighting look like a dinosaur, by both technical and aesthetical standards.

Physics is getting old. The only thing left for game-altering interactivity are fully destroyable environments (a la Red Fraction) and I don't really see a quick way of adding that sort of functionality to Source (I could be wrong?).

The editor feels clumsy and under-detailed by todays standards. I don't know why I should be afraid to drop a brush-based, func_detail half-sphere into my map, yet it crashes the compile tools. Some basic way of doing non-world geometry and vertex editing could save so much time. A simple railing made out of cylindrical rods should not require opening a secondary program, writing a custom shader and QC file in notepad and compiling that thing including a separately created collision model and a phantom animation file. The displacements were nice for 2004 but if I look at proper terrain creation tools like the sandbox editors of other engines, I could scream. Having to wait 20 minutes for a radiosity lighting compile, only to find 20 spots that look buggy and unnatural (which have to be fixed and can only be seen after another 20 minute compile), then doing the thing a second time just to get HDR lighting is... sucky.

I don't want Valve to make an engine just for the sake of it, but boy, I'd love to see a proper update and a game built around that new kind of freedom.

It might be wishful thinking, but a surprise announcement of Episode 3 bringing a major engine (and tools!) upgrade would make a lot of sense in my book.

Episode 3 isn't going to be a new engine/new tools. That is for Half Life 3. Im sure once Half Life 2 was released the internal coders work on improvements/patches to the current engine, while writing (on the side), a new improved engine.

Reaper-
I agree with all of what you said, the hammer editor is really funky and backwards (at times) compared to the industry standard tools (Maya, 3DMAX). The idea of porting over to a modeling program sucks, and should be improved, but I think it is this "modification" aspect that has lead the wide spread use of the source engine to a lot of other games (To name a few: dark masia, Dreamfall, SIN:Emergence). I mean developers have compiler machines that probably could do your light maps in 1 min to your 20 min, they have power to spare, and a lot of modelers at their disposal, so the world geometry -> models aren't a downside for other developers to license the source engine. For us modders/regular people with budgets thats a pain in the ass! But to reiterate what you were saying, the source engine is getting old already, what its a 2004 engine? Even then it was a 2002 engine, only it got delayed even more due to source code theft. Alls I can say is E3 will probably be on the source engine with a new feature (weather it be some new lighting scheme, more particle effects, or different model animation).

Back to the topic of E3, valve is probably working on it internally, however most of the team is focusing on L4D2 as thats whats going to make them the quick bucks, for all we know this economic recession has valve on the ropes, and they need some quick cash, remember valve != steam, valve only writes/maintains steam, Vendeti gets most of the steam royalties.

Who knows, maybe we'll get a Christmas present from valve this year: Sneak peak of E3...

Every time Valve's released a game in the past, it's set a new standard, HL2 inclusive.. It seems though that since the Source engine, the rest of the gaming world has been catching up, and many have now overtaken Valve's technology. I'm hoping for a major boost to the Source engine in EP3.

Then again Valve still make their games to be widely compatible, which is not what the others are doing, so that's still a unique quality about Valve.

"Crono" said:
http://www.gametrailers.com/episode/gametrailers-tv/67?ch=1&sd=0

Thanks for that vid, enjoyed it

omegaslayer said:
it got delayed even more due to source code theft.

[...]

for all we know this economic recession has valve on the ropes, and they need some quick cash, remember valve != steam, valve only writes/maintains steam

No offense, but I call BS on both. I still believe they were just late with HL2 before the leak and the recession is a wildcard excuse for bad performance in any business these days. I rather think that 2009 generally didn't produce that many interesting games so far, thus less sales.

omegaslayer said:
Vendeti gets most of the steam royalties.

Are you sure? Do you mean Vivendi? After all the fighting between Valve and Vivendi, I doubt they get a cent from anything Valve produces at the moment. I'm pretty sure they get all of the royalties.

bump

BAM! OMG It's finally here!

Link: Rock, Paper, Shotgun

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Blog: www.playingarchitecture.net
LinkedIn: Eric Lancon
Twitter:@Riven202

Wow I almost just got a heart attack there.. only to read it's fake

But the rumours and tension build up are great. Valve must be loving this.

Hmmmm

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/06/02/a-note-from-aperture-science/

"Aperture Science is pleased to inform you that we have partnered with Valve to announce the gala CANCELLATION of the June 14 Portal 2 event at the Regal Theater. The event will be replaced by a surprise"

A surprise huh? Episode 3 maybe o.O?

Oh please God let it be Episode 3..

Too bad the event happens right between my biology and chemistry exams, so I won't be right up there following it.

As a lot of people have said "I don't want it to be anything but Episode 3"

..An extra announcement of Half-Life 3 being in development would be...very surprising I guess, but I'm guessing (hoping) it's going to be EP3.

edit: omegaslayer: 2222 posts.. nice little number

edit(edit): well maybe not so little..

It's about time they announce ep3 seriously "episodic speeds up development" my ass.

I don't blame Valve but this game is way over due... they haven't even announced it yet.

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Aaron's Stuff

I know what it is guys, but I can't tell you. Not trying to be a smart ass or anything but you'll enjoy it.

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Light is faster than sound:That is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

Your riches in life are family and friends, everything else is just a distraction.

What, are you working with Valve or something ? Or just a hunch?

No,I just happen to know.
But I respect how they do things and what they try to do, so no kiss and tell from this guy.

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Light is faster than sound:That is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

Your riches in life are family and friends, everything else is just a distraction.

Haha, yeah I'm Valve's biggest fan.. well it's a bit tough saying that here, I think most of us are members of this site for the very reason. Can't wait for the 14th.

Does this event by any chance get broadcast on TV or anything live?

@sgtfly

Half of me says, thank you, and I respect you for not telling us and that you must be a very nice guy.

On the other, im trying to strangle your avatar threw my computer screen.

I happen to know ppl @ Valve so I'm telling the truth. I'm actually sorry I posted anything at all about it. Won't happen again guys.
Believe me , I'd like to strangle those too.

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Light is faster than sound:That is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

Your riches in life are family and friends, everything else is just a distraction.

Can we have a hint? What's the point of inside information if you aren't going to spill it?!

I've just had another idea!! ..Well technically, it was my brother's idea since he questioned it.

I started playing Half-Life a few days ago (again ) And today I was playing it and my brother asked me if it was the new one, and then he said "Oh, that might be the surprise", so I thought "Wow, you might be right". So another big possibility could be the release date of Black Mesa (even though I'm not even sure that this is a Valve project, or that Valve has absolutely nothing to do with it).

All I'm saying is, it could be a possibility (it would be nice if nothing about EP3 were to come out).

sgtfly said:
I know what it is guys, but I can't tell you. Not trying to be a smart ass or anything but you'll enjoy it.

Did you sign an NDA?

I've just had another idea!! ..Well technically, it was my brother's idea since he questioned it.

I started playing Half-Life a few days ago (again ) And today I was playing it and my brother asked me if it was the new one, and then he said "Oh, that might be the surprise", so I thought "Wow, you might be right". So another big possibility could be the release date of Black Mesa (even though I'm not even sure that this is a Valve project, or that Valve has absolutely nothing to do with it).

All I'm saying is, it could be a possibility (it would be nice if nothing about EP3 were to come out).

You mean Black Mesa: Source? Thats an independent project hosted by a small team.

They could have been acquired by Valve is all I'm saying.

So the delays are just part of the new management policies.

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Blame it on Microsoft, God does.

omegaslayer said:

sgtfly said:
I know what it is guys, but I can't tell you. Not trying to be a smart ass or anything but you'll enjoy it.

Did you sign an NDA?

I've just had another idea!! ..Well technically, it was my brother's idea since he questioned it.

I started playing Half-Life a few days ago (again ) And today I was playing it and my brother asked me if it was the new one, and then he said "Oh, that might be the surprise", so I thought "Wow, you might be right". So another big possibility could be the release date of Black Mesa (even though I'm not even sure that this is a Valve project, or that Valve has absolutely nothing to do with it).

All I'm saying is, it could be a possibility (it would be nice if nothing about EP3 were to come out).

You mean Black Mesa: Source? Thats an independent project hosted by a small team.

Note that it's not called Black Mesa Source anymore. It's just Black Mesa

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Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Nibgames

Niborius said:
Note that it's not called Black Mesa Source anymore. It's just Black Mesa

I thought so as well.

yes, i did

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Light is faster than sound:That is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

Your riches in life are family and friends, everything else is just a distraction.

You could clarify it as "Black Mesa Mod," and then everyone would be on the same page.

regardless, I've been snooping around the rumor mill and have been hearing some real things about a game called DotA, or if you're ignorant of it as I was: defense of the Ancients

Apparently, Valve are big fans of this game, and recently hired one of the major developers from it. (it is a popular mod of Warcraft III). There's an interview to be found on the site that talks with the fellow "IceFrog" about the transition, but it only talks about it briefly. Here's a snippet from the interview:

DotA Forums said:
Q: When will we hear more about you and Valve? Some people say it will take 2-3 years, can you give us any clues? (from Zeyall)

A: It certainly won't take that long. There are a lot of very talented people here at Valve that are working hard on it every day to ensure high quality in a timely manner. We'll be making an announcement soon actually, and based on the feedback I've been getting since the last mention, I'm sure you all will be as excited as I am.

Q: Can you tell us how you first met Valve and how you like it so far? (from Sodoes)

A: It started off with an email from Valve where they mentioned that they were big fans of DotA wanted to fly me out to spend some time with them and visit their studio. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the trip. After arriving and chatting with them, the first thing I noticed was how much of their decision making process was like mine. They shared the same aspirations towards building a long term and sustainable community without having short sighted business goals that end up hurting the quality of the game. One of the most important things for me though was that there wasn't going to be anyone standing above telling me how I should be doing things. They trust the developers that have experience to make the best decisions for their playerbase. The atmosphere at Valve allows everyone to be very comfortable and able to focus on what they love doing. It also doesn't hurt that they are huge DotA fans.. until their favorite heroes are nerfed, then I'm the bad guy for a week!

Q: How popular is DotA these days? (from china_white)

A: I can only give estimates based on getdota.com usage, because I can't track ingame downloads or fansites or downloads from China. It is roughly estimated (based on the statistics from popular Chinese sites) that the Chinese DotA audience is about 40-50% of the worldwide audience. Not counting China, the playerbase is estimated to be somewhere between 7-11 million. I expect the audience to grow even more in the not too distant future.

Source: DotA Forums

Based on this and other sites I've read, it looks like Valve might be announcing an RTS/RPG game of sorts. But nothing points towards the announcement of EP3. Except for the fact it's been 3 years and counting since the last Half-Life game!

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Blog: www.playingarchitecture.net
LinkedIn: Eric Lancon
Twitter:@Riven202

Goddamn if they announce some dota shit I'm gonna go ballistic.

I like RTSes, but I've never been a Warcraft fan. I'm just not partial to that kind of fantasy I suppose. I like the LOTR movies (and books) and I've played through Diablo II, but beyond that, Orcs,Goblins and Elves just don't interest me. I don't like to be told "they can do it because of magic!" I wanna know how that magic works! So, my stance on this is, IF it is a RTS I won't mind (and I won't be as hyped either), but I hope to goodness it won't be a Tolkien style setting. That may be the first Valve game I never buy!

Nevertheless, The guy must be a good game designer to have a following of 11 million for his modification, or the Chinese are suckers for Warcraft mods. Either way, I'm guessing whatever they're brewing will be interesting nonetheless.

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Blog: www.playingarchitecture.net
LinkedIn: Eric Lancon
Twitter:@Riven202

Riven said:
I like RTSes, but I've never been a Warcraft fan.

I wouldn't call dota an rts, it's more like a multiplayer mini-WoW with an rts interface. You control one guy on a team, level him up, and try to kill the other team. It uses Warcraft 3's hero mechanics (which is basically mini-WoW in a truncated rts), dumps the rts, and takes them to their logical conclusion.

Nevertheless, The guy must be a good game designer to have a following of 11 million for his modification, or the Chinese are suckers for Warcraft mods.

uh... no comment

If it's the announcement of an RTS.. then I'm thinking there was a power failure at Valve once and everything to do with Half-Life was destroyed.....

I agree with Riven about the magic part. I mean don't get me wrong, to me, the Diablo series are second only to the Half-life(+mods) series, but I don't particularly fancy the Elves garbage much either. I like games such as Red Alert and Age of Empires too though.

Valve is one of the smartest groups of developers in the world, I'm sure if strategy's a new(additional) direction they want to begin following, it'll be fantastic. But I sure as hell hope it's something, anything at all, about EP3.. even if they say it's been lost in a power failure and won't be coming back in 5 years, at least it'll put us out of our miseries.

New developments coming in!...

Some hint (may be fake) about what might be revealed for June 14: Things are looking up if this is true!

Linky: Game Informer

[EDIT]: Ok, update, It's a fake. It's been confirmed by Gabe Newell. Furthermore you may put to rest any EP3 hopes, because he's downright stated It's not.

Read about it here: halflife2.net

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Blog: www.playingarchitecture.net
LinkedIn: Eric Lancon
Twitter:@Riven202

Something interesting that was shown to me by a lurker of this place (who I hope creates an account soon! :P)

http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=3578&p=1

Click on the image to enlarge, the vein on his left arm looks like the lambda symbol and his fist looks like a 3...

p.s dota isnt an rts, it's more like an rpg.

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Aaron's Stuff

I just dont see it ARRON.

I sure as hell hope Gabe said that[no Ep3] just to not spoil the surprise...

Also.. they should be announcing Ep3, I mean, the engine is getting old, and if they put it off any more, it's going to be a major Valve release in an aged engine. So if they put it off this time, I doubt there'll ever be an Episode 3. A full sequel is then sure to be next Half-Life announcement.

More reassurance that the surprise is NOT DOTA: (coming from IceFrog himself) http://www.playdota.com/forums/242334-page3/valve-announcing-surprise-e3-coult/#post1209655

And ya Aaron, I saw that too, to me that's a bit far-fetched, considering those comic covers were released months ago. Plus that vein arrangement isn't so particular, I bet if you check your own arm, you might find half-life re-routing your own blood supply too!

And for Muhnay and anyone else who may not see it, here's a good highlight:
http://twitpic.com/1txtzr <<<Takes a while for the page to load for me :-/

Also, I read this on a forum and made me lol:

Valve cancels portal 2?

super-sheep> orgasm cancelled

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Blog: www.playingarchitecture.net
LinkedIn: Eric Lancon
Twitter:@Riven202

Riven said:
http://twitpic.com/1txtzr

I think it could just be an amazing coincidence, mixed with wishful thinking of those who saw it. I really hope/wish I'm wrong though..

I think that it is to well done not to be on purpose. I mean who puts a look-a-like lambda symbol on his arm, I mean the artist probally got briefed on please do not try to make it look like yadda yadda yadda.

I hope you're right my friend, I guess we'll just have to wait a few more days to see. I'm just wondering, that blog it came from, how do They know?? That's the only thing bugging me. Why did it come from Them? Are they closely following Valve, or did they pay a truckload of cash to Valve(not that they'd need much cash these days), or does Valve have a special partnership with them? That's the only thing bugging me, what's the connection? This Team Fortress Blog, is it a third party blog, or actually another of Valve's news stations?

Oh never mind, I just saw the Valve sign on the page. So there could be some truth to it!

PS. Yes, Dedi finally makes his 200th post... after about 6 years of being on The Pit.

oh man I'm getting hyped... this will only end badly I'm sure

Just to clear up, is it on the 14th, or the 15th? Thanks.

The 14th for America, which could be the 15th in some countries (?)

Just an update:

http://www.vg247.com/2010/06/07/hl2-episode-three-isnt-valves-big-surprise-says-newell/

It will NOT be Episode 3.

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/rumor_valve_unveiling_source_engine_2_and_halflife_3_next_week

It will probably be the Source Engine 2. And probably an announcement of HL3 being in development, and it wil be released 2-3 years later!

Ah thanks.

"omegaslayer" said:
http://www.vg247.com/2010/06/07/hl2-episode-three-isnt-valves-big-surprise-says-newell/

I was on the exact same website yesterday and saw this. Looks like the talk of the internet is Source Engine 2. It would be a beautiful thing to happen..

Edit. Looks by latest news that our lovely Portal 2 will not be coming to us this year. It's been delayed until 2011.
http://www.gamekicker.com/gaming-news/portal-2-delayed-to-2011-valve-makes-funny-to-defuse-angry-mob

omegaslayer said:
It will probably be the Source Engine 2. And probably an announcement of HL3 being in development, and it wil be released 2-3 years later!

But they haven't even formally announced ep3 why would they even talk about Half-Life 3?

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Aaron's Stuff

I'm thinking (like many others at the moment) that they're going to scrap EP3 all together and announce Source 2. Maybe that was even their plan all along when they announced episodic developments. They announced 3 episodes to come, so they could work on HL3 while everyone thought EP3 was in development (hell, I think they've been working on HL3 since even before HL2 hit the stores).

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Valve-Delays-Portal-2-E3-Surprise-Still-On-144252.shtml

I have no idea who these guys are, or how reliable their sources are, but this is what they said, amongst other things: [quote]Rumors have recently surfaced saying the company is getting ready to announce a new Source engine or the long awaited last episode in the Half Life saga at the E3 trade show but the fresh press release makes it clear that the E3 surprise will be “PORTAL-2-THEMED-FOR-GOD'S SAKE.”[/quote]

Ok.. I am officially confused. I still hope that these guys have no idea what they're on about.