Half-Life 2: Episode Two confirmed by Valve

by Ross Miller { Feb 21st 2006 at 5:00PM }

You didn't think it would end with Aftermath, did you? As a follow-up to Aftermath (now entitled Episode One), Valve has confirmed that Episode Two has been in development for quite some time ("about as long as Episode One," according to IGN).

No other details are available right now, but it's safe to say that Episode One/Aftermath (whatever you wish to call it) will not be answering all of the questions left open by the Half-Life 2 ending. According to CVG, who will soon post an interview with Episode One designer Robin Walker, the initial release will offer around 5 hours of gameplay and will give more details as to the G-Man's involvement and the fates of the Breen and the Citadels.

[Thanks, Jon D and the "almighty" Ludwig]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jago @ Feb 21st 2006 5:15PM

That's not that much of a surprise since they probably cut some stuff off of Episode 1 to put into Episode 2.

BTW...anyone know what the cost of each episode will be? (If there is a cost.)

Ian @ Feb 21st 2006 5:31PM

Ebgames has it listed for 20 bucks.

http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/product/260568.asp

Josh Warner @ Feb 21st 2006 5:38PM

translation: Episodes One and Two were both originally slated to be released in one expansion (probably called Aftermath) but then Valve ran the numbers and figured out that episodic content will net them more cash.

I'm not a big fan of this episodic content, but I would put some money down that this is what happened. I really liked HL2, but I think I will wait until all the "Episodes" are available in a set before I buy.

Decko @ Feb 21st 2006 5:47PM

I loved HL2 on the xbox. Will this be available for the 360 via live or for the xbox or 360 in any format?

Anyone know?

Armin @ Feb 21st 2006 5:58PM

I seriously hope they aren't doing what EA did to the BF2 expansion, cut it in two pieces and sold it separately.

Could it be that Aftermatch was split up into part one ("Episode 1") and part 2? To get extra revenue from the series, by shipping 2 products? Hmm...

I sure hope not

ZildjianKX @ Feb 21st 2006 6:38PM

After taking so long to release Aftermath then announcing a 2nd episode before the first even ships is VERY suspicious...

Michael @ Feb 21st 2006 7:06PM

Does anyone even remember, or care, about the questions that remained at the conclusion of HL2?

Episodic content. Damn, the load time on those levels felt like the wait time for Aftermath.

Talk about milking IP.

Move on already Valve.

??? @ Feb 21st 2006 7:36PM

Yet one more reason to hug your 360! Thank you Billy$$,thank you J-thank you,thank you........!!

LaughingTarget @ Feb 21st 2006 8:28PM

I don't see the problem with episodic content myself...if the length is sufficient. Releasing a 5 hour add-on for $20 is obscenely greedy. Little effort obviously went into it, plus the foundations (and arguably most difficult portions to program) are already done, like the graphics engine, physics, etc.

We get free 5 hour mods, so $20 for one is retarded.

Now, if each episode ran us 15 hours for the same $20, then we're getting somewhere. Valve still gets to use their established engine, plug out a game for minimal cost, make tons of money, AND keep most of the gamers happy.

Jago @ Feb 21st 2006 8:41PM

Yea I agree with #9...that has been my biggest concern. I loved HL2 as much as the next person but if these episodes cost too much then I'll just wait until all of them are released in one bundle or something.

Brian @ Feb 21st 2006 9:04PM

Valve's Gabe Newell sees the huge cash machine that World of Warcraft has become and wants to cash in on a similar plan. He even mentioned as much during a 1up special series on Valve and HL2. If Valve has more regular releases of new content they don't have to have a 3 year development cycle to sell a $40-50 game. They can have a 6 month (2 years in real time figuring in delays and such) cycle where they release a few more hours of content for $15-20. In the end it saves them on marketing because they don't have to remind people to play their game and with Steam they can cut out the retailers on a large portion of the game revenue, so thus Valve makes more money.

Don't be surprised if at some point Valve does a MMO Half-Life game. I'm sure they've thought about it. After all, WoW is pulling down $15 per month times 5 million or more subscribers, plus boxed copy sales. That's roughly $900 million a year in revenue just from subscriptions. Everybody in the industry wants a chunk of that money.

NovaProspekt @ Feb 21st 2006 9:41PM

When they first announced Aftermath, they said it was the first of many episodes that were going to be released every 3-4 months over Steam. The $20 price tag is for IN STORE purchases. EA wants to make some money and cover their manufacturing costs. Over Seam it's going to be around $12.
Aftermat wasn't split, this isn't new news, and I think it's a great idea.

gaminghobo @ Feb 22nd 2006 5:05AM

Well I think it is brilliant thing. I said it in the past that the potential for episodic content is huge. It just makes so much sense, espeicially if a developer wants some kind of real independance. Valve may be using EA for retail distribution but they don't need EA to the extent that other developers do. I wonder how long it will take for Valve to start doing their own marketing (presuming they don't do it already...).