Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Jetpack Joyride beta now on Facebook]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/jetpack-joyride-beta-now-on-facebook/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/jetpack-joyride-beta-now-on-facebook/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/jetpack-joyride-beta-now-on-facebook/#comments Those of you who work in an office environment: we suggest you just keep right on movin'. For everyone else, please enjoy the following news: Jetpack Joyride is now playable on Facebook for free. Yes, adventure after adventure after adventure with Barry Steakfries is now just a few clicks (and a few onerous Facebook permissions) away.

It's worth noting that the game is currently in beta, and some of the seams are definitely showing. The visuals aren't terribly sharp and we even ran into some display issues, specifically if your browser view settings are zoomed in.

Again though, it's Jetpack Joyride, excitingly and horrifyingly more available than ever.

Continue reading Jetpack Joyride beta now on Facebook

JoystiqJetpack Joyride beta now on Facebook originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookhalf-life-2jetpack-joyridemacmachine-gun-jetpackpcFri, 11 May 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Valve games come to Impulse]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/valve-games-come-to-impulse/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/valve-games-come-to-impulse/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/valve-games-come-to-impulse/#comments Valve, proprietor of Steam -- which is basically the Walmart of PC digital distribution -- now has its games available on Impulse. Your confusion is as great as ours, but here we are.

The Impulse store, owned by GameStop, announced last week that Valve titles would become available on the service. Apparently, the shock of this caused almost everyone in the media not to report this fact for an awkward length of time.

The Valve games available through Impulse right now are Portal 2, Left 4 Dead, Left 4 Dead 2, The Orange Box, and Half-Life Complete. Best part: the games still require Steam to play.

JoystiqValve games come to Impulse originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Gamestophalf-life-2Impulseleft-4-deadleft-4-dead-2Orange-Boxpcportal-2SteamValveTue, 31 Jan 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dear Esther coming to Steam on Valentine's Day for $10]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/dear-esther-coming-to-steam-on-valentines-day-for-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/dear-esther-coming-to-steam-on-valentines-day-for-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/dear-esther-coming-to-steam-on-valentines-day-for-10/#comments The broad, early 2012 launch window of the pretty little Half-Life 2 mod-turned-full Steam game Dear Esther has been narrowed down to a sleek, streamlined release date. The game's official website just announced the title will arrive on Steam February 14 -- that's Valentine's Day, lovers -- for a cool $10. Or a hot $10, or any other temperature bill you feel like forking over.

The site also posted a handful of new screens, such as the one above. See, it's got candles! That just screams "romantic Valentine's Day plans" to us.

JoystiqDear Esther coming to Steam on Valentine's Day for $10 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dear-estherhalf-life-2pcrelease-datesteamvalentines-dayFri, 09 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Dota 2 client leaked, contains 'ep3' code]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/rumor-dota-2-client-leaked-features-ep3-code/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/rumor-dota-2-client-leaked-features-ep3-code/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/rumor-dota-2-client-leaked-features-ep3-code/#comments You'll forgive us if we're highly speculative about code supposedly unearthed from the leaked beta client for Valve's upcoming action RTS, Dota 2. It supposedly includes information from a folder named "ep3." Now wait a minute, stop huffing -- we know, we know -- and hear us out. As reported by Valve fan site Lambda Generation, the Dota 2 beta client has apparently leaked via Vietnam, and eager fans datamined the code for info, apparently plundering a string of code regarding something called "ep3."

As you might imagine, both the dataminers and gaming websites are saying the folder pertains to the comically nebulous Half-Life 2: Episode 3, with the code pointing to two weapons -- an ice gun and a flamethrower -- as well as three "weaponizers" (concrete, liquid, and metal). But wait, why would Valve leave code for another one of its projects in the beta code for Dota 2, especially a project that it refuses to acknowledge exists? In short, Valve's done some similarly cheeky things in the past to promote its games, albeit not nearly as deep as this would be. We've reached out to Valve for word, but don't expect to hear anything official.

JoystiqRumor: Dota 2 client leaked, contains 'ep3' code originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betadota-2episode-3Half-Life-2half-life-2-episode-3HL2macpcvalvevalve-softwareTue, 20 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Stanley Parable is a thoughtful Half-Life 2 mod]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/the-stanley-parable-is-a-thoughtful-half-life-2-mod/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/the-stanley-parable-is-a-thoughtful-half-life-2-mod/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/the-stanley-parable-is-a-thoughtful-half-life-2-mod/#comments
"Cakebread," the creator of Half-Life 2 mod "The Stanley Parable," says the less you know about his experimental, story-driven game the better, and we're going to adhere to the spirit of that. Besides, if the trailer above doesn't make you want to play it, nothing we're going to say will help.

Continue reading The Stanley Parable is a thoughtful Half-Life 2 mod

JoystiqThe Stanley Parable is a thoughtful Half-Life 2 mod originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cakebreadHalf-Life-2HL2macpcsourcethe-stanley-parableFri, 05 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Half-Life 2 H.E.V. charging station case mod is without equal]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/14/half-life-2-h-e-v-charging-station-case-mod-is-without-equal/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/14/half-life-2-h-e-v-charging-station-case-mod-is-without-equal/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/14/half-life-2-h-e-v-charging-station-case-mod-is-without-equal/#comments We've showcased some PC mods here on our humble site before, but we're pretty sure we're ready to crown Overclock forum user Frenkie "King of the PC Mods" -- his Half-Life 2-inspired H.E.V. recharge station mod seen above is total pin-up material. As you read this, we're printing out the images he posted over on Overclock, throwing them all over the floor and just rolling around in them, trying to soak up the magnificence.

Of course, the downside to all of this is that we're reminded of Half-Life 2: Episode 3 yet again ... and how much we need it.

JoystiqHalf-Life 2 H.E.V. charging station case mod is without equal originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 14 May 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Half-Life-2HL2microsoftpcpc-modplaystationps3xboxSat, 14 May 2011 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Garry mods Garry's Mod to catch pirates]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/garry-mods-garrys-mod-to-catch-pirates/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/garry-mods-garrys-mod-to-catch-pirates/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/garry-mods-garrys-mod-to-catch-pirates/#comments If you've been having trouble with Garry's Mod lately, specifically the error, "Unable to shade polygon normals," don't take it to the Steam forums. You can solve that issue rather easily -- by buying a copy of Garry's Mod.

Creator Garry Newman tweeted yesterday that he enabled the error, which is designed to occur only in pirated copies. "Having fun watching people complain," he added, linking to a Google search for "Unable to shade polygon normals." The error code spits out a number, which happens to be the user's Steam ID. Posting the error code on the Steam forum gives Valve an easy way to find the user's Steam ID, compare to list of GMod owners, and then make with forum bans.

"It's the simplest stupidest DRM possible, a phone home," Newman said on his blog. "It is not uncrackable. You could crack it with notepad. Or by disconnecting from the internet." The point isn't to make impenetrable DRM, he said. "Making it uncrackable isn't the motive here - laughing at [pirates] is."

JoystiqGarry mods Garry's Mod to catch pirates originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>garry-newmangarrys-modhalf-life-2pcpiracysteamWed, 13 Apr 2011 12:44:00 EST<![CDATA[ModDB removes 'School Shooter' Half-Life 2 mod to quell building controversy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/24/moddb-removes-school-shooter-half-life-2-mod-to-quell-building/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/24/moddb-removes-school-shooter-half-life-2-mod-to-quell-building/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/24/moddb-removes-school-shooter-half-life-2-mod-to-quell-building/#comments A mod for Half-Life 2 called "School Shooter: North American Tour 2012" has been pulled from its hosting site, ModDB, after picking up some attention for its controversial nature. The mod allowed the player to explore a school-like environment in a first-person shooter context, with the option of attacking various unarmed NPCs. ModDB has posted a short statement about why it pulled the code, saying that although it feels "people should have the right to be creative and share what they want on a community / developer run site," the "confusion and hate" surrounding the project led to the removal.

As you can see from a video of the mod posted on YouTube, there's another reason people don't need to share it around, and that's because it's just not very well made. The "Boring" effects are pulled from Bulletstorm's "Duty Calls" parody, but they fit this one just fine, too.

JoystiqModDB removes 'School Shooter' Half-Life 2 mod to quell building controversy originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Half-Life-2HL2modmoddbpcschool-shooter-north-american-tour-2012valveThu, 24 Mar 2011 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Retrospective follows the 2003 theft of Half-Life 2's code]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/retrospective-follows-the-2003-theft-of-half-life-2s-code/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/retrospective-follows-the-2003-theft-of-half-life-2s-code/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/retrospective-follows-the-2003-theft-of-half-life-2s-code/#comments Half-Life 2 was never destined to release on time. It is a Valve project, after all. However, Gabe Newell and company couldn't have predicted that -- months before its expected release -- the game's source code would be stolen and distributed on the internet. "Is this going to destroy the company?," a designer supposedly asked Newell when it happened in 2003.

Eurogamer interviewed Axel Gembe, the young man responsible for breaching Valve's security and stealing the code. Gembe describes himself as a devoted fan of Valve, admitting that the original Half-Life was his favorite game. After his computer became infected with malware, he became inspired: instead of trying to remove the program, he reverse-engineered it to understand how it worked, and then began working on his own code. Hungry for details on the long-delayed Half-Life 2, Gembe knocked on Valve's virtual doors and found it "easy" to get access.

After the breach, Valve struggled in finding leads on how the source code got stolen. But on February 14, 2004, Newell received a rather odd e-mail. Gembe was confessing to the crime, noting that he was "sorry for what happened." Naively, he asked Newell for a job at Valve, thinking it would be best for both parties involved. "I hoped for the best," although Valve was already coordinating with the FBI for his arrest. "I was not the brightest kid back then."

After serving a two-year probation, Gembe eventually found work in the security sector, wisened from his experience. "I was naïve and did things that I should never have done," he told Eurogamer. "There were so many better uses of my time. I regret having caused Valve Software trouble and financial loss."

JoystiqRetrospective follows the 2003 theft of Half-Life 2's code originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>axel-gembegabe-newellhackHalf-Life-2HL2pcsecurityMon, 21 Feb 2011 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Gabe Newell speaks to a high school marketing class]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/19/gabe-newell-speaks-to-a-high-school-marketing-class/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/19/gabe-newell-speaks-to-a-high-school-marketing-class/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/19/gabe-newell-speaks-to-a-high-school-marketing-class/#comments Valve co-founder Gabe Newell recently discovered another thing he could do instead of releasing Half-Life 2: Episode 3 -- speaking to a high school class about the business of interactive entertainment. Check out a lengthy video of the teleconference below -- you might just learn a little something.

Continue reading Gabe Newell speaks to a high school marketing class

JoystiqGabe Newell speaks to a high school marketing class originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Feb 2011 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesseducationgabe-newellHalf-Life-2high-schoolHL2pcvalveSat, 19 Feb 2011 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dear Esther HL2 mod remake to be commercially released this summer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/12/dear-esther-hl2-mod-remake-to-be-commercially-released-this-summ/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/12/dear-esther-hl2-mod-remake-to-be-commercially-released-this-summ/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/12/dear-esther-hl2-mod-remake-to-be-commercially-released-this-summ/#comments Selected in December as Mod DB's annual "Best Upcoming Mod," Dear Esther is actually a remake of a 2008 Half-Life 2 Source-engine mod by the same name. The original mod was developed by indie studio thechineseroom (at the University of Portsmouth, UK) and was "stumbled across" by Robert Briscoe, a former level designer at DICE who had worked on Mirror's Edge. While "far from perfect," Dear Esther had both intrigued and inspired Briscoe, he wrote in May 2009, describing it as "an interactive painting or story, told through the eyes of a dying man on a journey to try and make peace with his tormented mind."

"The whole thing is enveloped in deep mystery and hidden meanings," he continued, "I had the idea of taking the groundwork for the mod and develop [sic] it into a fully fledged, production-quality product." Briscoe took his idea to the original creative director Dan Pinchbeck, who "was very enthusiastic about it, giving me his full support on the project."

21 months of steady development later and the Dear Esther remake is on track for a commercial release this summer on Steam. That's right -- Pinchbeck and Briscoe approached Valve, which was "impressed enough to grant a Source license for a full independent release," recounts today's announcement (oddly dated July 30, 2010) on the just launched dear-esther.com. "Rob was creating something so extraordinary," Pinchbeck told PC Gamer UK in the new issue (via Beefjack), "[that] it deserved a wider audience than we could give it as a mod."

You can get a glimpse of Briscoe's recreation in the June 2010 test footage postead after the break.

[Pictured: work-in-progress screenshot; source: Robert Briscoe's Devblog]

Continue reading Dear Esther HL2 mod remake to be commercially released this summer

JoystiqDear Esther HL2 mod remake to be commercially released this summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 12 Feb 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dan-pinchbeckdear-estherhalf-life-2modpcrobert-briscoesource-enginesteamthechineseroomvalveSat, 12 Feb 2011 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Natural Selection 2's closed beta starts tomorrow, new trailer today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/natural-selection-2s-closed-beta-starts-tomorrow-new-trailer-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/natural-selection-2s-closed-beta-starts-tomorrow-new-trailer-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/natural-selection-2s-closed-beta-starts-tomorrow-new-trailer-t/#comments As a fan of Natural Selection, one of the most popular Half-Life mods, you've had a tough go of it, having to wait eight full years for a follow-up to your beloved blend of FPS and RTS. You've heard about the four playable alien classes, each with their own unique abilities, that will battle it out with the weapon-savvy Marines. You've heard about how the dynamic environments will evolve over each map. But you've been living off a trickle of information, and you now find yourself positively parched.

Well, allow your friends at Joystiq to provide a gigantic canteen full of Natural Selection 2-centric refreshment. Not only do we get to reveal that the closed beta of the game will finally launch tomorrow, we also get to pass on the good news that gaining entry is as simple as being among the first 10,000 to pre-order the game. (Those who have already pre-ordered are in.)

...What's that? Your thirst is still not slaked? Well, how about a new exclusive trailer, featuring the teleporting Fade class, that we've placed after the jump? Drink, friends! Drink!

Gallery: Natural Selection 2: Fade reveal (11/18/10)


Continue reading Natural Selection 2's closed beta starts tomorrow, new trailer today

JoystiqNatural Selection 2's closed beta starts tomorrow, new trailer today originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>half-life-2natural-selection-2pcsteamunknown-worldsThu, 18 Nov 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Half-Life 2 Headcrab Zombie figure pre-orders open Oct. 4]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/01/half-life-2-headcrab-zombie-figure-pre-orders-open-oct-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/01/half-life-2-headcrab-zombie-figure-pre-orders-open-oct-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/01/half-life-2-headcrab-zombie-figure-pre-orders-open-oct-4/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Some people like coffee when they need a pick-me-up, some people like a snack -- heck, some people do sit-ups. But, for a select few, only mortal fear can motivate. So don't judge anybody who may be interested in pre-ordering Gaming Heads' Crabhead figurine on October 4, okay?

JoystiqHalf-Life 2 Headcrab Zombie figure pre-orders open Oct. 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gaming-headshalf-lifehalf-life-2HL2microsoftpcplaystationps3valvexboxFri, 01 Oct 2010 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Garry's Mod hits the Mac, 50% off]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/25/garrys-mod-hits-the-mac-50-off/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/25/garrys-mod-hits-the-mac-50-off/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/25/garrys-mod-hits-the-mac-50-off/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The versatile Garry's Mod is available now for Mac. To celebrate, the app will be $5 for the next week -- that's 50 percent off the regular price. Though, remember, if you own the PC version, you automagically own the Mac port. The one caveat with Garry's Mod is that you need to own another Source Engine game before use.

In the right hands, the mod can be used to make engaging Machinima like "The Jacknife Chronicles." In our hands, it would be used to make the umpteenth version of Gman doing "Banana Phone."

JoystiqGarry's Mod hits the Mac, 50% off originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 25 Sep 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>garrys-modgarrys-mod-macHalf-Life-2HL2macpcsteamsteam-macSat, 25 Sep 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fan-made Half-Life 2 movie trailer leaves us wanting more]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/21/fan-made-half-life-2-movie-trailer-leaves-us-wanting-more/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/21/fan-made-half-life-2-movie-trailer-leaves-us-wanting-more/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/21/fan-made-half-life-2-movie-trailer-leaves-us-wanting-more/#comments While not the first fan-made trailer for the Half-Life 2 movie which never-will-be, animator Marco Spitoni's stab at cinemafying the beloved shooter might be the best one to date. Watch the all-CG trailer posted after the jump, and join us in furiously wishing for a full feature film in this style.

Continue reading Fan-made Half-Life 2 movie trailer leaves us wanting more

JoystiqFan-made Half-Life 2 movie trailer leaves us wanting more originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fan-madeHalf-Life-2HL2marco-spitonipctrailervalveTue, 21 Sep 2010 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Left 4 Dead 2 fan campaign drops the survivors in City 17]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/left-4-dead-2-fan-campaign-drops-the-survivors-in-city-17/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/left-4-dead-2-fan-campaign-drops-the-survivors-in-city-17/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/left-4-dead-2-fan-campaign-drops-the-survivors-in-city-17/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Valve's latest featured fan campaign for the PC version of Left 4 Dead 2 should be instantly familiar to anyone who's enjoyed the developer's seminal Half-Life series. The five-chapter campaign is set on the streets of Half-Life 2's police-state metropolis, City 17, where the oppressed citizens have been replaced by zombies, and the totalitarian Combine have been replaced by zombies, and ... yeah, just about everyone's been replaced by zombies there.

As with all its featured community levels, Valve's temporarily hosting servers running the City 17 campaign. If you feel up for a romp through your ol' crowbaring grounds, you should take advantage of this delightful opportunity.

JoystiqLeft 4 Dead 2 fan campaign drops the survivors in City 17 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>campaigncity-17fanmadehalf-life-2L4D2Left-4-Dead-2modpcvalveThu, 16 Sep 2010 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The best Garry's Mod-chinima we've ever seen: Jacknife Chronicles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/24/the-best-garrys-mod-chinima-weve-ever-seen-jacknife-chronicle/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/24/the-best-garrys-mod-chinima-weve-ever-seen-jacknife-chronicle/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/24/the-best-garrys-mod-chinima-weve-ever-seen-jacknife-chronicle/#comments Do you feel like taking a break from the toils of your day to watch an action-packed blockbuster, but don't really feel like dedicating ninety minutes to watching a film? There's an easy solution to that: check out YouTube user Kitty0706's "The Jacknife Chronicles," a twelve-minute, remarkably violent revenge story created entirely within Garry's Mod for Half-Life 2. We anticipate that it will it satisfy your action cravings in a fairly efficient manner.

The short film, which borrows more than a few locales and soundtrack clips from Mirror's Edge and Portal, can be found in its entirety after the jump. It's a little NSFW -- especially if you happen to work as a security guard in a high-tech compound.

Continue reading The best Garry's Mod-chinima we've ever seen: Jacknife Chronicles

JoystiqThe best Garry's Mod-chinima we've ever seen: Jacknife Chronicles originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>garrys-modHalf-Life-2HL2machinimapcthe-jacknife-chroniclesvalveTue, 24 Aug 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Beyond Black Mesa fan film trailer looks pretty amazing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/10/beyond-black-mesa-fan-film-trailer-looks-pretty-amazing/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/10/beyond-black-mesa-fan-film-trailer-looks-pretty-amazing/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/10/beyond-black-mesa-fan-film-trailer-looks-pretty-amazing/#comments Half-Life has proven itself to be a pretty popular universe for fans to set their fan films within -- but that doesn't mean we're not hungry for more. We recently got our fix from the trailer for Beyond Black Mesa, a short film chronicling the adventures of a small band of anti-Combine rebels.

Continue reading Beyond Black Mesa fan film trailer looks pretty amazing

JoystiqBeyond Black Mesa fan film trailer looks pretty amazing originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Jul 2010 02:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beyond-black-mesafan-filmHalf-Life-2HL2movietrailerValve-TimeSat, 10 Jul 2010 02:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Half-Life 2 announcement teased by 'Freeman' art [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/05/rumor-half-life-2-announcement-teased-by-freeman-art/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/05/rumor-half-life-2-announcement-teased-by-freeman-art/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/05/rumor-half-life-2-announcement-teased-by-freeman-art/#commentsFiled under: , ,

There's a substantial number of games we've been hoping to see unveiled at E3 later this month, but our desire for the announcement of one game in particular easily overshadows all others: Half-Life 2: Episode 3. We've tempered our expectations for such an announcement after being disappointed at trade shows for like, a decade -- but if the teaser image posted after the jump is legit, our wait might just be coming to an end in a little over a week.

The image features the Half-Life Lambda symbol, the word "Freeman," a barely visible watermark of what appears to be G-Man's face, and a mention of June 14 -- the original date for the (rather humorously) canceled Portal 2 event. We're still worried about playing the Charlie Brown to Valve's Lucy -- Rock, Paper, Shotgun claims the image is a fake, but doesn't provide the source for that information. We've contacted Valve about the teaser's authenticity, though we're finding it awfully hard to type out an email when all of our fingers are crossed.

Update: Reader Jake Handy pinged Valve's Gabe Newell about this, and Newell's response couldn't have been clearer -- or more terse: "Fake."

Continue reading Rumor: Half-Life 2 announcement teased by 'Freeman' art [update]

JoystiqRumor: Half-Life 2 announcement teased by 'Freeman' art [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 05 Jun 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2010half-life-2half-life-2-episode-3teaservalveSat, 05 Jun 2010 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Steam for Mac adds Half-Life 2 with cross-platform Steam Cloud support]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/26/steam-for-mac-adds-half-life-2-cross-platform-steam-cloud/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/26/steam-for-mac-adds-half-life-2-cross-platform-steam-cloud/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/26/steam-for-mac-adds-half-life-2-cross-platform-steam-cloud/#comments The Mac Steam release list is a bit thin in terms of quantity this week, but the additions are pretty substantial. As promised, Half-Life 2 is now available for Mac and -- as we dearly, dearly hoped -- Episode One and Episode Two are also available. All three Half-Life 2 games feature cross-platform Steam Cloud support, meaning that players' games are saved on Steam's servers and can be opened from any computer, PC or Mac.

Additionally, Half-Life 2 and Episode One have been updated with over 40 new achievements. All three titles are currently 30 percent off: HL2 for 7 bucks; and Eps. 1 & 2 for $5.59 apiece. The complete Orange Box collection (with cross-platform Steam Cloud support across all games) is also currently discounted ($21), with the Team Fortress 2 for Mac release promised soon.

Finally, EVE Online: Tyrannis will launch for both PC and Mac later today, making it Steam's first game to launch simultaneously on both platforms.

JoystiqSteam for Mac adds Half-Life 2 with cross-platform Steam Cloud support originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 May 2010 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eve-online-tyrannisfpsHalf-Life-2half-life-2-episode-1half-life-2-episode-2steamsteam-cloudsteam-macvalvevalve-softwareWed, 26 May 2010 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Half-Life 2 for Mac hits Steam on May 26]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/25/half-life-2-for-mac-hits-steam-on-may-26/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/25/half-life-2-for-mac-hits-steam-on-may-26/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/25/half-life-2-for-mac-hits-steam-on-may-26/#comments Wait, isn't that ... tomorrow? Why yes it is! Turns out that the third week of Mac releases on Steam will include Gordon Freeman's second adventure against the Combine in Half-Life 2. Rather than simply release a press blurb about the game's forthcoming availability, Valve has created this parody of Apple's "1984" advertisement featuring Alyx Vance. It is, much like the original, rather impressive (especially if you're Half-Life dorks like we are).

Valve has not revealed the price for Half-Life 2 for Mac nor confirmed if Episodes 1 & 2 will also be made available tomorrow. The PC version of HL2 for Steam is currently priced at $20.

JoystiqHalf-Life 2 for Mac hits Steam on May 26 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 May 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applehalf-life-2os-xsteamsteam-mactrailervalveTue, 25 May 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaming Heads to create lineup of collectibles based on Valve properties]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/30/gaming-heads-to-create-line-up-of-collectibles-based-on-valve-pr/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/30/gaming-heads-to-create-line-up-of-collectibles-based-on-valve-pr/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/30/gaming-heads-to-create-line-up-of-collectibles-based-on-valve-pr/#comments It's as if millions of wallets cried out and were suddenly silenced, stripped of their precious cash money and left hollowed out and dead. We imagine that ringing in our ears has something to do with Valve and Gaming Heads, who just inked a deal to produce a line-up of collectibles based on hit Valve franchises. Pictured above is The Heavy, which will be the first in its Team Fortress 2 series -- available in Red and Blue varieties, of course.

Gaming Heads will also produce statues based on other popular Valve properties, such as Half-Life 2 and Left 4 Dead 2. And if some decorative shelf or desk items aren't really your thing, there's the promise of "life-sized props," meaning there's a possibility you could actually own a Portal gun without having to make it yourself sometime in the future. Just imagine: you'll be the hit of the Halloween party!

The Heavy will be available for pre-order on Monday, May 3.

[Via Team Fortress 2 Blog]

JoystiqGaming Heads to create lineup of collectibles based on Valve properties originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collectiblesgaming-headshalf-lifehalf-life-2left-4-deadleft-4-dead-2Microsoftstatuesteam-fortressteam-fortress-2valveXbox-360Fri, 30 Apr 2010 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Newell intent on 'scaring' players with next Half-Life]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/newell-intent-on-scaring-players-with-next-half-life/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/newell-intent-on-scaring-players-with-next-half-life/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/newell-intent-on-scaring-players-with-next-half-life/#comments In a recent interview with CVG, Valve head honcho Gabe Newell responded to questions about the mood of future Half-Life installments with a decidedly spooky answer. "I feel like we've gotten away from genuinely scaring the player more than I'd like, and it's something we need to think about, in addition to broadening the emotional palette we can draw on," Newell explained.

While he's probably referring to intense encounters like the the zombified village of Ravenholm from Half-Life 2, we personally can't think of a scarier development for the franchise than a loose 2015 release window for the franchise's next entry.

JoystiqNewell intent on 'scaring' players with next Half-Life originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fpsgabe-newellhalf-lifehalf-life-2horrorsteamvalveFri, 26 Mar 2010 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Valve teases Apple announcement of ... something [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/valve-teases-apple-announcement-of-something/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/valve-teases-apple-announcement-of-something/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/valve-teases-apple-announcement-of-something/#comments We'd love to outright confirm that "OMG, yes, Steam is finally coming to Mac!" but that'd be a lie. Truth is, of the five images that Valve sent out to a handful of outlets (as seen in our gallery below) - each one depicting characters from separate Valve games in some form of faux Mac advertisement (from Half-Life to Left 4 Dead and everything in between) - none provide ironclad confirmation of our suspicion that the developer is likely porting Steam over to OS X.

That said, given the presence of six dots at the bottom of each of the five images we've seen so far, suggesting an iTunes-like image gallery with six images, we're hoping for an actual news release in the not-too-distant future ... possibly via that sixth image. For now, we've put in a call to Valve and will be speculating wildly in the meantime. Check out the five screens so far in the gallery below and get to the speculating with us, won't you?

Update: Valve kindly sent over the last image, which unfortunately doesn't "OMG confirmed!" our guesses. It is, however, the coolest (fake) ad yet.

Gallery: Valve Mac faux ads


[Thanks, Joe K]

JoystiqValve teases Apple announcement of ... something [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>half-lifehalf-life-2left-4-deadportalsteamSteam-Macsteamworksteam-fortress-2valveWed, 03 Mar 2010 15:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Steam UI update beta now live; Half-Life 2 achievements spotted]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/steam-ui-update-beta-now-live-half-life-2-achievements-spotted/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/steam-ui-update-beta-now-live-half-life-2-achievements-spotted/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/steam-ui-update-beta-now-live-half-life-2-achievements-spotted/#comments
Click image to take a tour of the new Steam.

Active Steam users will likely find the first half of this post to be a bit on the old hat side, but we soldier on: Valve's flipped the switch on a new and improved beta version of Steam. If you've already got a Steam account, you can download the new version by hitting up this page. The beta adds all kinds of nifty stuff, like accessible lists of what games your friends have downloaded (along with their personal stats for each title) and some new ways for you to sort and organize game libraries. There's also cross-game achievement tracking -- and Valve's finally done away with Internet Explorer rendering, swapping it out for the friendlier open-source WebKit engine.

But, that's not all! Our sister site Big Download was cruising around the new achievements interface and noticed that Half-Life 2 and Half-Life 2: Episode One now have achievements listed under them. As you know, Half-Life 2 released right around the time achievements were finalized, so it never arrived on Steam with them. Sadly, there's no news other than the icons -- which look a lot like those found in the Orange Box on Xbox 360. We'll be sure to keep you posted.

Gallery: New Steam Update (Beta)



Source - Half-Life 2 achievements spotted
Source - Steam beta update news

JoystiqSteam UI update beta now live; Half-Life 2 achievements spotted originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementsbetahalf-life-2half-life-2-episode-1steamsteam-betauiupdatevalveWed, 24 Feb 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fable 3 'almost at its final edit' stage, says Molyneux]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/fable-3-almost-at-its-final-edit-stage-says-molyneux/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/fable-3-almost-at-its-final-edit-stage-says-molyneux/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/fable-3-almost-at-its-final-edit-stage-says-molyneux/#comments The head of MGS Europe assuredly has a few more things on his plate than the third game in a franchise he helped create, but in a recent feature on Peter Molyneux at Develop, the British creator calmly pronounced the game to be nearing its "final edit" stage of production. Whether he means "ready for submission to Microsoft" or "we haven't started polishing it yet" (or, heck, anywhere in between) remains unclear, though we'd certainly like to get our hands on the final product sooner rather than later.

Additionally, Molyneux triple dips on his love for Valve, proclaiming Half-Life 2 as his "favourite" game ever (you crazy Brits!) as well as the game he would most like to have worked on, and also notes the developer as the one he most admires (get a room, you two!). And hey, if you've been hankering to know his "favourite" album, it's Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon." (Yep, we were kind of disappointed too.)

JoystiqFable 3 'almost at its final edit' stage, says Molyneux originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-side-of-the-moonfablefable-3half-life-2lionheadlionhead-studiosmgs-europemicrosoft-game-studiospeter-molyneuxpink-floydvalvevalve-softwareFri, 05 Feb 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Game Informer: No Half-Life 2: Episode 3 for you in 2010]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/19/game-informer-no-half-life-2-episode-3-for-you-in-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/19/game-informer-no-half-life-2-episode-3-for-you-in-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/19/game-informer-no-half-life-2-episode-3-for-you-in-2010/#comments Now this is just demoralizing. According to a report in the rumors section of the Feb. 2010 issue of Game Informer (which doesn't name its source) there won't be "any game from the [Half-Life] franchise in 2010." As if that weren't crushing enough, the magazine says it's not even sure there will be a Half-Life 2: Episode 3, postulating that the next Gordon Freeman adventure might be Half-Life 3 proper.

Alright, listen, Half-Life: You take as long as you need, but we know you're holding Portal 2 in there somewhere. Just let GLaDOS go unharmed and you can develop until 2020 for all we care. Please, if not for us, think of the preteens waiting to record painful cover versions of "I'm Still Alive (Again)" on YouTube.

JoystiqGame Informer: No Half-Life 2: Episode 3 for you in 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>half-lifehalf-life-2half-life-2-episode-3Microsoftportal-2valveXbox-360Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Half-Life 2 PC updated with Episode 2 tech, longs for Xbox 360 parity]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/05/half-life-2-pc-updated-with-episode-2-tech-longs-for-xbox-360-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/05/half-life-2-pc-updated-with-episode-2-tech-longs-for-xbox-360-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/05/half-life-2-pc-updated-with-episode-2-tech-longs-for-xbox-360-p/#comments It's not often that console gamers get to brag to their PC gaming counterparts that their version of any given release is graphically superior; however, 2007's Xbox 360 release of Valve's Orange Box compilation included updated releases of both Half-Life 2 and Half-Life 2: Episode One - rebuilt with Episode Two's fancy new Source engine tech - while the PC releases sputtered on, sans engine enhancements and sans Achievements.

Well, that didn't sit right in one Mr. Filip Victor's craw, who grabbed his handy coding toolbelt and started hammering away on the original 2004 game adding things like HDR High Dynamic Range lighting (see above screengrab from the comparison video, posted after the break), updated models and textures and, of course, 32 Steam Achievements (demo video here). While the legality of this project is certainly dubious, the requirement of both Half-Life 2 and Half-Life 2: Episode Two should assuage your piracy concerns. Now, whether or not that assuages Valve's possible concerns with this project remain to be seen.

If you're interested you'd better find a download link in this forum thread, sooner than later. And, if you're keeping score, the Xbox 360 version still comes out on top with an updated version of Episode One, though Victor is apparently "working on the EP1 part now." Until that day of parity comes, enjoy the moment console gamers.

[Via Rock, Paper, Shotgun]

Continue reading Half-Life 2 PC updated with Episode 2 tech, longs for Xbox 360 parity

JoystiqHalf-Life 2 PC updated with Episode 2 tech, longs for Xbox 360 parity originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Half-Life-2modSourceSource-EngineValve-SoftwareTue, 05 Jan 2010 22:45:00 EST<![CDATA['Half-Contra' explores NES Contra as done by Half-Life 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/25/half-contra-explores-nes-contra-as-done-by-half-life-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/25/half-contra-explores-nes-contra-as-done-by-half-life-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/25/half-contra-explores-nes-contra-as-done-by-half-life-2/#comments Machinima user M0rtanius has created another video that mashes up a classic Konami title with Half-Life 2. His original piece placed Half-Life's protagonist into the world of Castlevania, whereas this latest one features Contra. The attention to the level design is pretty neat in both, and the music is lifted straight from the NES games, but it's just not the same without the Contra arsenal and Simon's whip. Also, we're not seeing any Konami code being entered, which means a quick end could not be far behind. Check out both clips after the break.

Continue reading 'Half-Contra' explores NES Contra as done by Half-Life 2

Joystiq'Half-Contra' explores NES Contra as done by Half-Life 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>castlevaniacontrahalf-contrahalf-life-2machinimaWed, 25 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Castlevania Half-Life 2 mod brings Belmont to the Source]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/15/castlevania-half-life-2-mod-brings-belmont-to-the-source/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/15/castlevania-half-life-2-mod-brings-belmont-to-the-source/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/15/castlevania-half-life-2-mod-brings-belmont-to-the-source/#comments Man, is this National Awesome Half-Life 2 Mod Weekend, or what?

Machinima.com user (and assumed Source engine guru) m0rtanius recently made a 3D adaptation of the first level of Castlevania, which you can view in the video after the jump. Before you pass judgment on this mod, we suggest you view this clip from Castlevania 64.

We've come a long way, baby.

[Via GoNintendo]

Continue reading Castlevania Half-Life 2 mod brings Belmont to the Source

JoystiqCastlevania Half-Life 2 mod brings Belmont to the Source originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>castlevaniaDShalf-life-2modnesNintendosourceWiiSun, 15 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[There's a game that exists which has Nazi Dinosaurs in it]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/14/theres-a-game-that-exists-which-has-nazi-dinosaurs-in-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/14/theres-a-game-that-exists-which-has-nazi-dinosaurs-in-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/14/theres-a-game-that-exists-which-has-nazi-dinosaurs-in-it/#comments Okay -- Time Gentlemen, Please featured a number of Hitler-Heiling prehistoric lizards, so we guess there's now two games out there which feature Nazi Dinosaurs. Still, the more recent title to boast the hybrid, a Half-Life 2 mod titled Dino D-Day, actually allows you to go toe to talon with with these fanged, scaly members of the Third Reich. You can check out an overwhelmingly patriotic trailer for the mod over on ModDB -- or, if you're in the mood to massacre some Nazi Dinos right now, the mod is also available to download.

(To be fair, the dinosaurs featured in Dino D-Day are unable to speak, so it's difficult to know whether they harbor the disturbing political and social beliefs of the Nazi party. However, they're affiliated with them in combat, so we've got no reservations about punching them repeatedly in their stupid dinosaur faces.)

JoystiqThere's a game that exists which has Nazi Dinosaurs in it originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dino-d-daydinosaurfpshalf-life-2historymodnazinazi-dinosaurSat, 14 Nov 2009 02:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Ico developer digs Half-Life 2, interested in making 'first-person games']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/05/ico-developer-digs-half-life-2-interested-in-making-first-pers/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/05/ico-developer-digs-half-life-2-interested-in-making-first-pers/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/05/ico-developer-digs-half-life-2-interested-in-making-first-pers/#comments

Though the Japanese aren't exactly known for their love affair with first-person shooters, Team Ico director Fumito Ueda can name at least one that he digs: Half-Life 2. Speaking to G4TV (through a translator), Ueda named the Valve-developed sequel when asked which games he has had an emotional reaction to.

"There was variation in terms [of] locations and also [in] the way of storytelling in the game. Usually, you have to incorporate storytelling with constraints, but the way [Valve] implemented constraints was something different that I enjoyed, compared to other games," observed Ueda. He's even considered making his own first-person game at some point, stating, "I have an interest in making first-person games."

If Ueda's previous development cycle lengths are any indication, we tentatively expect to see a Ueda-developed first-person game by 2025 or so ... at the earliest.

[Image credit: jeriaska]

JoystiqIco developer digs Half-Life 2, interested in making 'first-person games' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>first-personfumito-uedahalf-lifehalf-life-2icoshadow-of-the-colossusteam-icothe-last-guardianvalveMon, 05 Oct 2009 12:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Dude replaces Half-Life 2 sound effects with own voice]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/22/dude-replaces-half-life-2-sound-effects-with-own-voice/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/22/dude-replaces-half-life-2-sound-effects-with-own-voice/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/22/dude-replaces-half-life-2-sound-effects-with-own-voice/#comments Behind the scenes at Joystiq, we have a lot of news we want to get to every day, and some stories just don't make the cut. We just want to take a moment to apologize to whatever story gets bumped so we can write about this particular item. If you're in anyway newsworthy at all it must come as quite a shock. But trust us, it's not you ... it's us.

So, after the break, you'll find a video of a guy who made a mod that replaces the sound effects of Half-Life 2 with ones he made with his own voice. It's completely unimportant and utterly magical.

[Via Giant Bomb]

Continue reading Dude replaces Half-Life 2 sound effects with own voice

JoystiqDude replaces Half-Life 2 sound effects with own voice originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fpshackshalf-life-2modsvalveTue, 22 Sep 2009 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Valve researching sign language for use in Half-Life 2: Episode 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/07/valve-researching-sign-language-for-use-in-half-life-2-episode/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/07/valve-researching-sign-language-for-use-in-half-life-2-episode/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/07/valve-researching-sign-language-for-use-in-half-life-2-episode/#comments
Valve's Gabe Newell appears to have recently conducted a focus group with deaf individuals in order to learn more about sign language and how it can be applied to games, notably the upcoming Half-Life 2: Episode 3. Why? To help develop Alyx's character, and further the animation technology implemented in the Half-Life games. Newell explains: "[Alyx] had a crush on someone who was hearing impaired, so she taught Dog how to sign so she could practice. Something happened, maybe, the person is off fighting the Combine someplace else, but that's why she and Dog would start signing with each other when they wanted to communicate without making noise, or communicate without other people knowing ... It gave us the excuse to build the technology for signing."

The focus group responds by noting the importance of facial expression whilst signing. While the Half-Life franchise has been known for its believable facial animation, it might take even more to fully realize the nuances necessary for authentic signing. It'll be interesting to see if Valve is up to the challenge.

JoystiqValve researching sign language for use in Half-Life 2: Episode 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gabe-newellhalf-lifehalf-life-2half-life-2-episode-3Microsoftsign-languagevalveXbox-360Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Valve's Gabe Newell still not talking Episode 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/12/valves-gabe-newell-still-not-talking-episode-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/12/valves-gabe-newell-still-not-talking-episode-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/12/valves-gabe-newell-still-not-talking-episode-3/#comments
Half-Life 2 developer Valve Software is remaining unsurprisingly cagey in conversations about Half-Life 2: Episode 3. Speaking with G4, the company's managing director Gabe Newell said, "There are very good reasons why we're not talking about Episode 3, which I can't talk about yet."

When pressed on the possibility of hearing more about the game by the end of 2009, Newell downright dismisses the question and, instead, chooses to speak about the "rhythm" the team working on Episode 3 is developing. Does that mean Valve's working on the long-awaited rhythm/music component to Half-Life 2? We can only dream.

[Via Big Download]

JoystiqValve's Gabe Newell still not talking Episode 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>episode-3g4gabe-newellhalf-life-2half-life-2-episode-3MicrosoftpcXbox-360Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Half-Life 2 mini-series blows minds on a dime]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/13/half-life-2-mini-series-blows-minds-on-a-dime/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/13/half-life-2-mini-series-blows-minds-on-a-dime/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/13/half-life-2-mini-series-blows-minds-on-a-dime/#comments
We've found some fairly unwise applications for $500 in the past, including (but not limited to) a few pyramid scheme investments and a number of unused gym memberships -- if only we'd followed the example of the upstart indie filmographers at Purchase Brothers, who recently spent five Benjamins on an extremely worthwhile cause: Producing the first two episodes of a Half-Life 2-inspired miniseries, titled Escape from City 17.

The Purchase Brothers recently dropped the first episode onto an unsuspecting internet -- we've got it posted after the jump. If you've played the series (we find it difficult to believe there are people who haven't, at this point), you really need to check it out. A touch of naughty language and a healthy dose of gunshootery might make it a bit NSFW, but we think you'll agree -- it's worth risking your employment to watch this video with all available haste.

[Via DailyGamesNews]

Continue reading Half-Life 2 mini-series blows minds on a dime

JoystiqHalf-Life 2 mini-series blows minds on a dime originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>escape-from-city-17half-lifehalf-life-2purchase-brothersvalveFri, 13 Feb 2009 13:31:00 EST<![CDATA[PrimePlus assesses the current state of black characters]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/09/primeplus-assesses-the-current-state-of-black-characters/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/09/primeplus-assesses-the-current-state-of-black-characters/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/09/primeplus-assesses-the-current-state-of-black-characters/#commentsFiled under: ,


PrimePlus has a fairly interesting piece about the current state of black characters in video games. The editorial maintains a very moderate approach to the charged subject, covering the differences between Western and Eastern development, along with how black characters have been portrayed over the years.

The piece mostly focuses on upcoming titles and games from the last decade, like Mass Effect, Half-Life 2, Gears of War and GTA: San Andreas. Without getting "politically correct" or preachy, the editorial notes that representation isn't an "exclusive concern to the population of black individuals." It points out that "more socially imaginative avenues of inspiration" would be welcome, which is something we can agree about.

[Via Edge]

JoystiqPrimePlus assesses the current state of black characters originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>african-americanblackculturegears-of-war-2half-life-2mass-effectminorityraceresident-evil-5Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Mario Kart Source: made by fans, for fans]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/mario-kart-source-made-by-fans-for-fans/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/mario-kart-source-made-by-fans-for-fans/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/mario-kart-source-made-by-fans-for-fans/#commentsFiled under:


If you're a fan of PC games, then of course you've heard of the Source engine. It powers Half-Life 2, which is the bee's knees. Well, an ambitious bunch has decided to use the Source engine to code a new Mario Kart racing game, Mario Kart Source. The best part about this project is that the team is looking at all of the previous games in the series and is attempting to take just the best bits for their new game. Our verdict? Awesome.

Sadly, Nintendo won't likely be as excited to hear about the project, so we're sure they'll step in at some point or another and intervene.

[Via Go Nintendo]

JoystiqMario Kart Source: made by fans, for fans originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 19:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fpshalf-lifehalf-life-2half-life-sourcemariomario-kartmario-kart-wiinintendopcracingvalvevalve-softwareThu, 22 Jan 2009 19:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: Violence and gore don't make games more enjoyable]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/18/study-violence-and-gore-dont-make-games-more-enjoyable/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/18/study-violence-and-gore-dont-make-games-more-enjoyable/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/18/study-violence-and-gore-dont-make-games-more-enjoyable/#commentsFiled under:


Put down that blood-soaked cleaver. After quizzing 2,670 "frequent" gamers and conducting four different experiments with more than 300 university undergraduates, researchers at University of Rochester discovered that, cool as it may be, violence doesn't make games more fun. Except, we assume, for those players who, you know, abhor puppy dogs and rainbows in what they play.

The findings were based on what researchers described as a "good deal of violent content" in games such as Team Fortress 2 (alright), Halo 3 (we're with you so far) and World of Warcraft (okay, you lost us). According to a report by the Canadian Press, one portion of the study involved using a modified version of Half-Life 2 with brutality ratcheted up and another with violence nerfed, after which scholars found that "on average, violent content didn't add to motivation for play."

Only about 5 percent of respondents showed a preference for violent games, individuals who were later quietly taken into the back room and summarily beaten to death with spoons. Or so we're told.

JoystiqStudy: Violence and gore don't make games more enjoyable originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 18 Jan 2009 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>half-life-2halo-3researchteam-fortress-2violenceworld-of-warcraftSun, 18 Jan 2009 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[HL Source mod generates $3m; Valve reveals retail sales numbers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/hl-source-mod-generates-3m-valve-reveals-retail-sales-numbers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/hl-source-mod-generates-3m-valve-reveals-retail-sales-numbers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/hl-source-mod-generates-3m-valve-reveals-retail-sales-numbers/#commentsFiled under:

Half-Life application Garry's Mod celebrated its two-year anniversary of being on Steam last week. On his blog, creator Garry Newman celebrated by divulging the sales figures of the software so far on Steam: 312,541 copies. At about $10 per copy, that amounts to over $3 million. Not too shabby for the 26-year old English developer -- even if Valve takes a piece of the pie. Maybe now he can make a suit of money.

Speaking of Valve, who as a general rule is very secretive with its sales figures (especially regarding Steam), the company has released its worldwide lifetime-to-date retail sales (via Gamasutra). Pre-Steam release Half-Life is on top at 9.3 million, followed by Half-Life 2 at 6.5m and Counter-Strike at 4.2m. These figures don't include Steam sales, which CEO Gabe Newell has said he expects to typically surpass retail sales. Full list after the break.

Continue reading HL Source mod generates $3m; Valve reveals retail sales numbers

JoystiqHL Source mod generates $3m; Valve reveals retail sales numbers originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>garrys-modhalf-lifehalf-life-2modsPCsteamvalveWed, 03 Dec 2008 13:30:00 EST