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[Beyond Black Mesa trailer makes us mesa our pants]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/05/beyond-black-mesa-trailer-makes-us-mesa-our-pants/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/05/beyond-black-mesa-trailer-makes-us-mesa-our-pants/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/05/beyond-black-mesa-trailer-makes-us-mesa-our-pants/#comments Earlier this year we got our first glimpse at fan-created Half-Life film "Beyond Black Mesa" ... and it made us kinda freak out. Knowing that more was coming, you'd think we'd have prepared ourselves, but we couldn't have been ready for the sheer excitement that resulted from watching the latest trailer -- it picked up our expectations for the film with a gravity gun and fired them into space, in so many words.

Beyond the fact that the action is blistering and the feeling of Half-Life's world is spot-on, Gordon Freeman's infamous crowbar makes an appearance. Sure, we realize it's a bit bizarre to have our heart rates increase after briefly glimpsing a crowbar, but, well ... okay, we don't have a logical explanation. We just love Gordon Freeman. How could you not?!

Continue reading Beyond Black Mesa trailer makes us mesa our pants

JoystiqBeyond Black Mesa trailer makes us mesa our pants originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Nov 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beyond-black-mesafan-createdhalf-lifehalflifetrailervalvevalve-softwareFri, 05 Nov 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Meet the Team Fortress 2 Scout ... again]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/19/meet-the-team-fortress-2-scout-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/19/meet-the-team-fortress-2-scout-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/19/meet-the-team-fortress-2-scout-again/#commentsFiled under: ,


We absolutely loved the short vignettes put together by Valve to advertise the different classes featured in The Orange Box's online multiplayer offering, Team Fortress 2. The scotch-slurping demoman, the six-string pluckin' engineer -- not only did they get us hyped up for one of our favorite first person shooters of last year, they brightened our otherwise dreary existences. Now, we know that most of you are familiar with the whole crew since the release of Orange Box, but in honor of last week's release of a standalone version of TF2 for the PC, Valve released what we assume will be the last of their advertisements for the game -- introducing the Scout, who apparently has the social graces and equipoise of a Real World cast member. Enjoy!

JoystiqMeet the Team Fortress 2 Scout ... again originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Apr 2008 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>halflifeorangeboxPCscoutteam-fortress-2teamfortress2tf2trailervalveSat, 19 Apr 2008 13:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Bethesda designer creates new Portal map, Ren_Test3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/bethesda-designer-creates-new-portal-map-ren_test3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/bethesda-designer-creates-new-portal-map-ren_test3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/bethesda-designer-creates-new-portal-map-ren_test3/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Having already upped the ante in Portal challenges with Ren_Test2 in November, Bethesda's Daryl Brigner has returned with a new custom-made map aptly titled Ren_Test3. The download, available at TWHL, also includes Ren_Test 1 and 2 as well as Step, Time and Portal challenges for the maps.
We haven't had a chance to play it yet (such is the crazy, fast-paced life of a blogger), so tell us what you think in the comments below. Let's hope Valve finds a way to pool some of the best custom maps for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 owners, too.

JoystiqBethesda designer creates new Portal map, Ren_Test3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Feb 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdaBethesda-Softworkshalf-life-2halflifeorange-boxPCportalren_testthe-orange-boxvalveTue, 12 Feb 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[More Half-Life games confirmed; nobody surprised]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/18/more-half-life-games-confirmed-nobody-surprised/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/18/more-half-life-games-confirmed-nobody-surprised/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/18/more-half-life-games-confirmed-nobody-surprised/#commentsFiled under: ,


In perhaps an over-exaggeration of the term "world exclusive", StuffWeLike.com has revealed that Valve intends on continuing the Half-Life series after Half-Life 2: Episode Three. Big news, we know.

When Stuff We Like asked Valve's Doug Lombardi about the possibility of a Half-Life 3, he responded that nothing has been announced, but that Half-Life "won't end at Episode Three." Originally, Stuff We Like reported this news as "OMG WORLD EXCLUSIVE HALF-LIFE 3 CONFIRMED" (we're paraphrasing, of course), but has since recanted, admitting that all this means is that the series will not conclude with the third piece of episodic content.

We're curious to see whether Valve intends on continuing to release episodes connected to Half-Life 2, or whether they will in fact move forward with a third title in the series (episodic or otherwise). No release date has yet been confirmed for Episode Three.

JoystiqMore Half-Life games confirmed; nobody surprised originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>half-lifehalf-life-2halflifePCsteamvalveTue, 18 Dec 2007 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Readers pick best webcomic: parental guidance is advised]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/20/readers-pick-best-webcomic-parental-guidance-is-advised/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/20/readers-pick-best-webcomic-parental-guidance-is-advised/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/20/readers-pick-best-webcomic-parental-guidance-is-advised/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

By quite a large margin, Scott Ramsoomair's VG Cats took the top spot in the webcomic wrapup this week -- but is it a love for Valve's amazing game Portal or a fascination with endangered infants that drove our readers en masse to vote?

Second and third place go to Penny Arcade and 2P Start, respectively. Thanks to everyone who voted; be sure to let us know of any game-related webcomics you stumble upon this week!

Continue reading Readers pick best webcomic: parental guidance is advised

JoystiqReaders pick best webcomic: parental guidance is advised originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>half-lifehalf-life-2halflifehalflife2PCportalPS3scott-ramsoomairvalvevg-catsvgcatswccwebcomicweighted-companion-cubeXbox-360Tue, 20 Nov 2007 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Half-Life in 60 seconds by cheeky Germans]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/07/half-life-in-60-seconds-by-cheeky-germans/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/07/half-life-in-60-seconds-by-cheeky-germans/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/07/half-life-in-60-seconds-by-cheeky-germans/#commentsFiled under:

Are you the type of person that could care less about narrative? Did you skip Half-Life, pick up The Orange Box, skip Half-Life 2, and go straight for the episodes? Still want to know what happened in the non-episodic games? If so, and you just can't be bothered to go and actually play them, above we have a 60-second version of everything you need to know about the series.

Created by Simon Krãtschmer and Jakob Rompkowski, the little vignette seems to sum up Half-Life quite nicely. We know it's really nothing special, but the sprinkles of German are what really make it pop. We actually wouldn't mind seeing more by Krãtschmer and Rompkowski in the future -- plus, those two names strung together sound cool.

JoystiqHalf-Life in 60 seconds by cheeky Germans originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>half-lifehalf-life-2halflifehalflife2kratschmerkratschmerandrompkowskirompkowskiWed, 07 Nov 2007 20:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Drool: Orange Box goes gold!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/27/drool-orange-box-goes-gold/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/27/drool-orange-box-goes-gold/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/27/drool-orange-box-goes-gold/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The wait is almost over, as Valve's The Orange Box mega-compilation has gone gold! October 10 is the date to circle on your calendars, as the package (which comes stuffed with Half-Life 2, Episodes 1 and 2, Portal and Team Fortress 2) heads to retail that day for both Xbox 360 and PC. The recently delayed PS3 version is still expected to ship a few weeks later. Maybe now the folks at Valve can take a break and finally deal with those Little Sisters.

In case you've been living under a rock, The Orange Box will retail for $50 for the PC at retail, with the console variety demanding a bit more from your wallet with a "next-gen price" of $60. Of course, those who pre-purchased the collection over Steam will enjoy an additional 10% cost savings, though it's likely they're too wrapped up in the Team Fortress 2 beta to care.

Gallery: Half-Life 2: Orange Box

JoystiqDrool: Orange Box goes gold! originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Sep 2007 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fpshalflifeorangeboxPCportalteamfortress2valveXbox-360Thu, 27 Sep 2007 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soldier talks to the troops in Team Fortress 2 video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/22/the-soldier-talks-to-the-troops-in-team-fortress-2-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/22/the-soldier-talks-to-the-troops-in-team-fortress-2-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/22/the-soldier-talks-to-the-troops-in-team-fortress-2-video/#commentsFiled under: ,

Hilarious and slightly disturbing, The Soldier video for Team Fortress 2, the game bundled with The Orange Box, makes us laugh in that uncomfortable way. Not cute like "The Heavy" video, this clip of The Soldier is just a little bit darker. Team Fortress 2 through brilliant marketing is really turning into the game we've become excited about in The Orange Box. Sure it'll probably be just another frag-fest that the average person won't stand a chance in, but it's oozing with dark charm.

The Orange Box continues to be the value bundle of the year. With Half-Life 2, Episodes 1 and 2, Portal and Team Fortress 2 -- that's a lot of value in a little box, especially if you've never played Half-Life 2. We're definitely looking forward to seeing more of these clips, even if we don't think we'll stand a chance in an online match with the actual game.

Gallery: Half-Life 2: Orange Box

JoystiqThe Soldier talks to the troops in Team Fortress 2 video originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Aug 2007 22:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>halflifehalflife2orangeboxPCportalsteamteamfortress2valveXbox-360Wed, 22 Aug 2007 22:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq hands-on: The Orange Box]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/13/joystiq-hands-on-the-orange-box/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/13/joystiq-hands-on-the-orange-box/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/13/joystiq-hands-on-the-orange-box/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,


Easily one of the best gaming values to come out in recent memory, Valve's The Orange Box packs a pretty strong punch in terms of content. We got our grubby little paws on it at EA, and while we know there are other games on this disc, we hard a hard time tearing ourselves away from Portal to play the others. However, once someone smacked us in the head with a crowbar, we moved on and got a piece of everything, culminating with a Team Fortress 2 fragfest.

Seriously, if you're trapped on a desert island and can only take one upcoming title with you, The Orange Box wouldn't be a bad choice. You've got team games, a first person shooter (with sequels), and a really unique puzzle game. Where could you go wrong? Just make sure that island has internet access, because the press notes for Team Fortress 2 dropped a mega-bombshell of information* that hasn't been reported at all from E3. We aren't sure why. Ready for it? Here you go:

* Internet connection required for online play.

We're working on a confirmation on that one. Check out our impressions after the break.

Gallery: Half-Life 2: Orange Box

Continue reading Joystiq hands-on: The Orange Box

JoystiqJoystiq hands-on: The Orange Box originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jul 2007 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>E3E307Half LifeHalfLifeImpressionsPCPortalPS3Team Fortress 2The Orange BoxValveXbox-360Fri, 13 Jul 2007 14:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Orange Box peels away to show actual cover]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/30/orange-box-peels-away-to-show-actual-cover/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/30/orange-box-peels-away-to-show-actual-cover/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/30/orange-box-peels-away-to-show-actual-cover/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


If you happened to catch the original look for Valve's The Orange Box (which includes Half-Life 2, Episodes 1 and 2, Portal and Team Fortress 2), you'll know it was just a generic Word font on an orange background -- what we have now is much better. TeamXbox says this is the final box featuring Gordon Freeman (who apparently has time to put good product in his hair and keep the goatee trim), the symbol for Portal and Heavy Weapons Guy with Sacha.

In case you missed it, the Black Box is no more, so PC gamers will get The Orange Box at $49.99 instead of the PS3 and Xbox 360 console price of $59.99. The individual components will be offered through Steam as well for PC owners to pick and choose. For console owners, there is a lot of stuff packed into The Orange Box, especially if you've missed out on the saga of Half-Life 2. We're going to also take this opportunity to guess that Episode 3 will be a PSN and XBM download. Unless Valve decides to come out with The Orangier Box, which will have six games and an updated version of the original Half-Life ... it could happen.

JoystiqOrange Box peels away to show actual cover originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 30 Jun 2007 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>half life 2halflifeorange boxPCPS3steamteam fortressvalveXbox-360Sat, 30 Jun 2007 11:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Team Fortress will not have cross-platform play, but Valve plays it that way]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/19/team-fortress-will-not-have-cross-platform-play-but-valve-plays/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/19/team-fortress-will-not-have-cross-platform-play-but-valve-plays/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/19/team-fortress-will-not-have-cross-platform-play-but-valve-plays/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Shacknews has a rather exhaustive preview of Valve's Team Fortress 2, coming to PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 as part of the Half-Life 2: Orange Box collection (also available via Steam, natch).

One interesting note at the end of the article states that the Valve offices, who are working on the Xbox 360 and PC versions (PS3 version is being done by EA UK), "regularly play cross-platform multiplayer games." However, the studio's Doug Lombardi said that the final game will not have cross-platform because it "introduces more problems than it is worth." He continued to say that if Valve were to implement cross-platform that it would be part of the initial game design.

Orange Box, which includes Half-Life 2, Episode One, Two, Portal and Team Fortress 2, is due out October 9.

JoystiqTeam Fortress will not have cross-platform play, but Valve plays it that way originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>half lifehalf life 2HalfLifeHalfLife2live anywhereLiveAnywhereMicrosoftorange boxOrangeBoxPCportalTeam-FortressTeam-Fortress-2valvexbox liveXbox-360XboxLiveTue, 19 Jun 2007 17:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Portal, Team Fortress 2 shipping October 9th]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/15/half-life-2-episode-two-portal-team-fortress-2-shipping-octob/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/15/half-life-2-episode-two-portal-team-fortress-2-shipping-octob/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/15/half-life-2-episode-two-portal-team-fortress-2-shipping-octob/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Politely telling naysayers who expected the games to miss their 2007 launch to eat crowbar, Valve has confirmed to Chris Remo of Shacknews that its upcoming Source trio will ship for all intended platforms on October 9th. The suite is comprised of warped puzzler Portal, stylized multiplayer shooter Team Fortress 2, and continued scientist savior sim Half-Life 2: Episode Two. The collection will be sold through Valve's online Steam service as well as in a retail package.

The EA-distributed Half-Life 2: The Orange Box, which also contains Half-Life 2 and Half-Life 2: Episode One, will be available on PS3 and Xbox 360 for $59.99, with the PC version priced at $49.99. There once existed a Black Box (containing the three new titles only) for those PC gamers unwilling to take the digital distribution route, but it was promptly buried in the hope of fostering a strange sort of philanthropy amongst gamers. Still, in featuring five games -- two of them proven classics -- there's little question that the Orange Box offers great value, especially if you're a newcomer to Valve's first-person shooters.

[Thanks, Gogandantis]

JoystiqHalf-Life 2: Episode Two, Portal, Team Fortress 2 shipping October 9th originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Jun 2007 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FPSHalf-LifeHalf-Life 2Half-life2HalflifeHalflife 2Halflife2MicrosoftPCPortalPS3Team-FortressTeam-Fortress-2ValveXbox-360Fri, 15 Jun 2007 08:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Free Half-Life 2 games via Steam for ATI Radeon owners]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/free-half-life-2-games-via-steam-for-ati-radeon-owners/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/free-half-life-2-games-via-steam-for-ati-radeon-owners/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/free-half-life-2-games-via-steam-for-ati-radeon-owners/#commentsFiled under: ,


In a brilliantly concocted promotion, Valve announced today that owners of ATI Radeon graphics cards can score a handful of free games via Steam. Half-Life 2: Lost Coast and Half-Life 2: Deathmatch are among the freebies, and the promotion includes discounts on other games as well. In addition, Steam will be included in all ATI Catalyst Software and Driver packages through early 2008. Anyone who buys the new ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT will also receive Team Fortress 2, Portal, and Half-Life 2: Episode Two, which is almost more gaming goodness than the human mind can comprehend.

For ATI owners, the glorious details can be found on Steam's official website. The nVIDIA Owners Anti-Steam Support (and Crying) Group will begin its weekly meetings this Saturday.

[Via GameDaily]

JoystiqFree Half-Life 2 games via Steam for ATI Radeon owners originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2007 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atiradeonfreehalf-lifehalf-life2halflifePCsteamvalveThu, 31 May 2007 12:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Half-Life 2: Episode Two nearing completion, new concept art inside]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/07/half-life-2-episode-two-nearing-completion-new-concept-art-ins/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/07/half-life-2-episode-two-nearing-completion-new-concept-art-ins/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/07/half-life-2-episode-two-nearing-completion-new-concept-art-ins/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


As part of their weekly updates, Valve recently spilled the beans on the status of Half-Life 2: Episode Two: "we're working hard on putting the final parts together." The early part of the development was spent carefully working on concept art of key areas in the game, ensuring everyone on the team could share a vision of what the final product would look like. A few examples are in the gallery below.

While yearly releases doesn't feel very episodic to us (especially compared to the monthly Sam & Max series installments), it's half the time we waited between Half-Life 2 (2004) and Episode One (2006). Does Valve need to get its act together and deliver at a faster pace, or does a game like Half-Life 2 need time for perfection?

Gallery: Half-Life 2: Episode Two concept art

JoystiqHalf-Life 2: Episode Two nearing completion, new concept art inside originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 May 2007 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>episodichalflifehalflife2PCsteamvalveMon, 07 May 2007 09:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Portal a four-hour tour]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/14/portal-a-four-hour-tour/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/14/portal-a-four-hour-tour/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/14/portal-a-four-hour-tour/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Portal level designer, Kim Swift, told Eurogamer that her game will last only about four hours in its final version. The demo we saw at GDC looks fun, but only four hours?

Portal will be bundled with at least Half-Life 2: Episode 2 and Team Fortress 2 (in the $40 Black version), which takes some of the sting. But ... four hours?

We're all for short, sweet games. But our idea of a short game is about eight hours unless we're playing monthly episodes. When we hit the four-hour mark in a game, we're just getting started.

[Via Xbox360fanboy]

JoystiqPortal a four-hour tour originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Mar 2007 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>half lifeHalfLifekim swiftKimSwiftPCportalPS3Xbox-360Wed, 14 Mar 2007 18:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Valve's Kim Swift talks about designing Portal]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/08/valves-kim-swift-talks-about-designing-portal/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/08/valves-kim-swift-talks-about-designing-portal/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/08/valves-kim-swift-talks-about-designing-portal/#commentsFiled under: , ,


At the Experimental Game Design lecture (where, among others, we heard from Crush's Alex Butterfield), Valve's Kim Swift, one of the designers of Portal, talked about the challenges of creating a first-person mind-screw puzzler, which is packaged with the oft-delayed Half-Life: :Episode 2, Black, and Orange sets, and concluded with a video demonstration solving one of Portal's crazy door-opening puzzles.

"Doing something new can be a really big risk and adding something innovative to something already exists can often disrupt and create new games," she said. Swift told the crowd that she and the team approached Portal problems as small gamelets in isolated environments. To her, trying to innovate too much at one time can lead to failure. Jurassic Park: Tresspasser, she quipped, is an example of a title that "tries a lot, and fails at all." Swift's mantra is to try one thing and polish it to the best of your ability.

Following her talk, Swift started a video of one level of portal to explain the depth of the puzzle. In Portal, you can make a blue and orange-rimmed portal that interact with one another. You can attach a portal to most surfaces, although reflective and glass surfaces will not take a portal, "just to make your life more difficult," Swift notes.

Continue reading Valve's Kim Swift talks about designing Portal

JoystiqValve's Kim Swift talks about designing Portal originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Mar 2007 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>experimental gamesgdcgdc 07Gdc07half lifeHalfLifekim swiftKimSwiftportalvalveThu, 08 Mar 2007 18:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Valve unleashes Half-Life 2: Orange screenshots]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/14/valve-unleashes-half-life-2-orange-screenshots/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/14/valve-unleashes-half-life-2-orange-screenshots/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/14/valve-unleashes-half-life-2-orange-screenshots/#commentsFiled under:


Half-Life 2: Orange, as we now call it, has been forever delayed and will only show up much later this year. But what are eager Half Life fanboys supposed to do until that time comes ... wait? Yes, you will have to wait, but Valve understands your pain by offering some screenshot love. They just released a massive amount of screens from the Half-Life 2: Orange bundle including Portal and Team Fortress 2. All the games are looking pretty good, but Portal and Team Fortress 2 lack visual goodness that Half-Life 2 offers, which is probably intended. Check out the nifty gallery Joystiq put up and come back to post your thoughts on what is sure to be one great compilation.

JoystiqValve unleashes Half-Life 2: Orange screenshots originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Feb 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>episode 1episode 2Episode1Episode2half lifehalf life 2half life: 2half-life 2Half-life2half-life: 2Half-life:2HalfLifeHalfLife2HalfLife:2portalteam fortress 2TeamFortress2valveWed, 14 Feb 2007 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Run WoW, Steam games on Linux]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/29/run-wow-steam-games-on-linux/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/29/run-wow-steam-games-on-linux/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/29/run-wow-steam-games-on-linux/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Having a working Linux box is a point of pride for computer hackers everywhere, but when it comes to gaming on a computer, freeware Linux offerings like Tux Racer don't really hold up to Windows favorites like World of Warcraft and Half-Life 2. A new version of Codeweavers' CrossOver Linux solves this problem by letting Linux users easily run some popular games and other Windows applications from a Linux box.

Running Windows games on Linux has long been possible with free programs like Wine, but the process of getting your favorite game up and running was not always simple. For $40 ($70 for the professional version), CrossOver Linux promises to let you seamlessly run programs "exactly as you would in Windows, but with the full freedom of Linux." A review on Linux.com confirms that demo versions of World Of Warcraft, Half Life, Heroes of Annihilated Empires, and Medieval II Total War worked in Linux without any problems.

Will other games work with the setup? Codeweavers' compatibility list shows most games as untested, but a few big names like Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Civilization III are confirmed not to work. Knowing the open source movement, though, it's only a matter of time before a new release lets Linux gamers join their Windows brethren in the hallowed halls of gaming nirvana.

[Thanks Dolores]

JoystiqRun WoW, Steam games on Linux originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Jan 2007 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Half LifeHalf Life 2HalfLifeHalfLife2LinuxMacPCSteamWorld of WarcraftWorldOfWarcraftMon, 29 Jan 2007 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Half-Life 2 is black, orange, and priced]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/17/half-life-2-is-black-orange-and-priced/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/17/half-life-2-is-black-orange-and-priced/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/17/half-life-2-is-black-orange-and-priced/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Valve has released some pricing details on their upcoming Half-Life 2 sets, affectionately dubbed Orange and Black. The packages and prices are as follows:
  • Black, for PC only, is $39.99 and includes only Episode Two, Team Fortress 2, and Portal.
  • Orange, for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 is $59.99 and includes all of the above plus Half-Life 2 and Episode One.
With a set like Half-Life 2: Orange being one of the few titles out there we feel merit a $60 price tag, we're eagerly anticipating the sets' release. Now if Valve would finally release them!

JoystiqHalf-Life 2 is black, orange, and priced originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Jan 2007 23:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackcolorcolorshalf lifehalf life 2HalfLifeHalfLife2orangePCportalPS3team fortressTeamFortressXbox-360Wed, 17 Jan 2007 23:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Half-Life 2 console pack blushes orange]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/12/half-life-2-console-pack-blushes-orange/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/12/half-life-2-console-pack-blushes-orange/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/12/half-life-2-console-pack-blushes-orange/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Why call it Half-Life 2: Episode Two when it just has so much more to offer? The latest issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly confirms that the upcoming PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 editions of Half-Life 2 have been renamed to Half-Life 2: Orange. No, really.

Valve has come up with an entire world of alien life forms, postmodern physics and government conspiracies and the best title they could come up with is a color? We guess it's better than Half-Life 2: Head Crab-tacular Edition.

HL2:O includes the original Half-Life 2, Episodes One and Two, Team Fortress, and Portal. We think you can make a better title, so let's hear your suggestions.

JoystiqHalf-Life 2 console pack blushes orange originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Jan 2007 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>half lifehalfe life 2HalfeLife2HalfLifehl2orangeportalPS3team fortressTeamFortressXbox-360Fri, 12 Jan 2007 19:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Goldeneye: Source beta released]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/28/goldeneye-source-beta-released/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/28/goldeneye-source-beta-released/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/28/goldeneye-source-beta-released/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The 22-man team working to modernize Goldeneye 64 with the Source Engine have given everyone the perfect Christmas gift: a public beta showing off the fruits of their labor. (It's just a step above last year's present, the alpha version.)

The mod, which requires a Source-based game to work, has already garnered much attention over the years for the level of detail in its stage design and weaponry. All information, including known bugs, can be found on the developer Wiki. Here are some suggestions, via the mod's main website, on how to stabilize the game:
  • Check for and download latest video card drivers
  • A server with 10 people seems to work better
  • Have the Base SDK installed
  • Download the mod again on another mirror and reinstall the mod.
  • Turn HDR off
  • Turn shadow detail on low
A patch is being planned but no date has been determined.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

JoystiqGoldeneye: Source beta released originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Dec 2006 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>golden eyeGoldenEyehalf lifeHalfLifejames bondJamesBondmodPCsourcesteamvalveThu, 28 Dec 2006 12:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Half Life 2 delayed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/10/half-life-2-delayed/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/10/half-life-2-delayed/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/10/half-life-2-delayed/#commentsFiled under:

For everyone looking forward to living in Gordon Freeman's world early next year, it looks like you'll have to wait just a little bit longer. Recently Doug Lombardi, Valve's Director of Marketing, told CVG that Half Life 2: Episode 2 will be delayed until Summer 2007. I guess the Xbox version of Half Life 2 could hold you over if you can't bear the wait, but I want my episode 2 now!

JoystiqHalf Life 2 delayed originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Nov 2006 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gordon freemanGordonFreemanhalf lifehalf life 2half life 2 episode 2HalfLifeHalfLife2HalfLife2Episode2Fri, 10 Nov 2006 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[HL2: Episode Two delayed until Summer 2007]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/10/hl2-episode-two-delayed-until-summer-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/10/hl2-episode-two-delayed-until-summer-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/10/hl2-episode-two-delayed-until-summer-2007/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Speaking to CVG, Valve's Doug Lombardi confirmed that Half-Life 2: Episode Two -- which includes Portal and Team Fortress 2 -- has been pushed back from early 2007 to Summer 2007. As the title was already expected to miss the holiday season, it shouldn't be too much of a financial burden for Valve to hold off and fine tune the titles.

Seeing Portal delayed is a bummer, but Team Fortress 2 has been in development since 1999; to see a game so close to escaping the vaporware stigma is agonizing.

JoystiqHL2: Episode Two delayed until Summer 2007 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Nov 2006 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>half lifeHalfLifePCportalPS3team fortressTeamFortressvalveXbox-360Fri, 10 Nov 2006 18:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Interview: Concerned's Chris Livingston]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/02/joystiq-interview-concerneds-chris-livingston/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/02/joystiq-interview-concerneds-chris-livingston/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/02/joystiq-interview-concerneds-chris-livingston/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Yes, Gordon Frohman is dead. Super dead. As the popular gaming comic Concerned said its goodbyes, creator Chris Livingston took some time to trash talk Frohman posthumously and, for reasons unknown to us (or caused by us, actually) talk about underwear. A lot.

Let's get through the basic (read: boring) questions first: why'd you start the webcomic?

Well, I thought Half-Life 2 was a great game, but there simply weren't enough jokes about toilets in it. So, I thought a comic would be a good place to get some humor into the game. I came up with the idea for Frohman, a complete idiot, to play all the way through the game, just like Freeman only instead of being a hero, he'd be a complete tool.

I waited for a while but no one else started the comic, so I went ahead and started it myself.

So Frohman is dead and gone, right?

I've been asked this a lot in the past couple days. I guess it seems pretty obvious to me that he's dead, what with the title of the comic mentioning that he is going to die during the series, plus the Epilogue indicating that the series is over, plus the fact that he's lying there dead and people in the comic are saying that he is dead. And one of the people is the medic who would know if someone was dead. So, I guess it's left as an exercise to the reader. But, yeah, he's totally dead.

Continue reading Joystiq Interview: Concerned's Chris Livingston

JoystiqJoystiq Interview: Concerned's Chris Livingston originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Nov 2006 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>concernedhalf lifeHalfLifeweb comicWebComicThu, 02 Nov 2006 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Has Concerned's Gordon Frohman lost all his HP?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/01/has-concerneds-gordon-frohman-lost-all-his-hp/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/01/has-concerneds-gordon-frohman-lost-all-his-hp/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/01/has-concerneds-gordon-frohman-lost-all-his-hp/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It seems, after one catastrophic incident after another, Concerned's Gordon Frohman has finally died. Following a massive fall from the City 17 citadel with a not-so-ceremonious landing onto Dr. Breen, Frohman mistakenly turns off "Buddha mode," allowing his HP to drop below one.

Is Frohman dead? After 204 issues spanning just under 18 months, has Concerned told its last tale? The webcomic's forums are alive with debate on its finality, and a video game protagonist never truly dies (just return to the most recent save). The main website still claims he will update "every Tuesday and Thursday," so maybe Epilogue #2 will show up tomorrow.

Thanks to Chris Livingston for a hilarious comic. Be sure to sift through the archives if you have a chance.

[Thanks, Epic]

JoystiqHas Concerned's Gordon Frohman lost all his HP? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Nov 2006 12:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>concernedgordon frohmanGordonFrohmanhalf lifeHalfLifeweb comicWebComicWed, 01 Nov 2006 12:14:00 EST<![CDATA[More in-game commentary coming next-gen?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/17/more-in-game-commentary-coming-next-gen/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/17/more-in-game-commentary-coming-next-gen/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/17/more-in-game-commentary-coming-next-gen/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


MTV News takes a look at one of Half-Life 2: Episode One's best secrets: the in-game commentary track. Much like the DVD format's popular director's commentary feature, Valve stuck in audio commentary from the game's developers. Hit the little floating text bubble and be treated to commentary on everything from design conceits (like apologizing for artificial barriers) to eye-candy techniques (yup, that's HDR lighting).

The problem is, according to Valve's own statistics, only 15% of the gamers who've played Episode One have activated the feature. Regardless of its popularity, Valve project manager Erik Johnson says, "There isn't really any chance of us leaving it out in our future titles." That's good news for those of us interested in the commentary feature. Unfortunately, not every game developer is going to keep it in, even if they got there first.

Factor 5 included developer commentary on their Star Wars: Battle for Naboo title on the N64, an impressive feat for a cartridge system. They've included commentary on every title since then, so a commentary track on the PlayStation 3's Lair (with its copious amounts of Blu-ray space) would seem to be a perfect touch. Insomniac Games has commentary plans for their next game (following PS3 launch title Resistance), but that 15% number may make them nervous. Insomniac's Ted Price said, "If gamers want audio commentary, they have to let it be known." Okay, Ted. So, gamers, were you amongst Valve's 15% and if not, why?

Continue reading More in-game commentary coming next-gen?

JoystiqMore in-game commentary coming next-gen? originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Oct 2006 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CommentaryDirector's CommentaryDirector'sCommentaryFactor 5Factor5GameCubeHalf LifeHalf-Life 2Half-life2HalfLifeHL2PCPS3Rebel StrikeRebelStrikeRogue Leader II: Rebel StrikeRogueLeaderIi:RebelStrikeValveXbox-360Tue, 17 Oct 2006 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Duct tape + cardboard = DI? Half-Life 2 costume]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/11/duct-tape-cardboard-di-half-life-2-costume/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/11/duct-tape-cardboard-di-half-life-2-costume/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/11/duct-tape-cardboard-di-half-life-2-costume/#commentsFiled under: , ,


A Planet Half-Life member, who goes only by the online nom de guerre "Kevin," created this incredible Gordon Freeman costume with nothing but duct tape and cardboard (seriously, that's it). In exchange, he has earned the admiration of nerds and Halloween costume partygoers everywhere. Why do cosplayers always have to dress up as Final Fantasy characters, or Mario anyway?

Joystiq salutes you, Dr. Freeman. Just don't bring any of those headcrabs to our staff party.

[Via Aeropause]

JoystiqDuct tape + cardboard = DI? Half-Life 2 costume originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Oct 2006 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CostumeGordon FreemanGordonFreemanHalf LifeHalf Life 2HalfLifeHalfLife2HalloweenHL2ValveWed, 11 Oct 2006 09:27:00 EST<![CDATA[HL2 plushie headcrabs...you know, for kids]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/29/hl2-plushie-headcrabs-you-know-for-kids/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/29/hl2-plushie-headcrabs-you-know-for-kids/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/29/hl2-plushie-headcrabs-you-know-for-kids/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


I'm not sure how many little kids are gonna be trading in their raggedy teddy-bears for Valve's official plushie headcrab, but I do know one grown man-child who is seriously considering plunking down the relatively steep $25 asking price. C'mon, for that price you could get Half-Life: Episode One and have enough left over to pick up an authentic crowbar, for that real Gordon Freeman experience.

We all know these are gonna sell like crazy...question is, how many people are gonna be lazy and just name it Lamarr? How about Hedy? The name's Hedley!

Click the "Continue" link to check out some additional pictures of Valve's plushie cuddlies.

[Thanks, Muskie, Alex, and mofomojo]

Continue reading HL2 plushie headcrabs...you know, for kids

JoystiqHL2 plushie headcrabs...you know, for kids originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 29 Apr 2006 23:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Half LifeHalf-LifeHalf-Life 2Half-life2HalfLifeheadcrabsHL2PCValveXboxSat, 29 Apr 2006 23:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamers resurrect imploded pop stars]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/14/gamers-resurrect-imploded-pop-stars/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/14/gamers-resurrect-imploded-pop-stars/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/14/gamers-resurrect-imploded-pop-stars/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

What is it about Michael Jackson and machinima? After stumbling across this clever video set in Counter-Strike, I ran a couple of searches. This rabbit-hole goes deep.

There's plenty of MJ to be found in World of Warcraft videos (Beat It, Billy Jean) which is unsurprising considering that the entire male population of night elves appears to have summered at Neverland ranch in their youth (this would explain many of their pathological in-game tendencies, but that's a whole 'nother rabbit hole). Many of the night-elf dance moves are lifted from the King of Pop's library of signature jigs, including the pelvic thrust and twirly-hand-leg-kick thing.

Even denizens of Second Life appear to be thrilled by the opportunity to relive the days when Jacko only pretended to be ghoulish. Through machinima, fans of celebs who have dashed their careers against the treacherous reefs of fame can now travel back to the future. Fans can return to a time when their idols still had something worth worshipping.

It's a form of therapy.

JoystiqGamers resurrect imploded pop stars originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Apr 2006 21:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animationcounterstrikecsdancehalf-lifehalflifeMacmachinimamichael jacksonMichaelJacksonmusic videoPCpop musicthrillervalveFri, 14 Apr 2006 21:36:00 EST