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[PS3 version of Orange Box might be 'downright unplayable']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/25/ps3-version-of-orange-box-might-be-downright-unplayable/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/25/ps3-version-of-orange-box-might-be-downright-unplayable/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/25/ps3-version-of-orange-box-might-be-downright-unplayable/#commentsFiled under: ,

We feel for you, PlayStation 3 owners. We really do. No, we're not knocking the scrappy, gargantuan console - we literally feel bad about the system's history with game delays. Not just delays on PS3 exclusives, like MGS4, Haze and Home, but the games that other platforms have been enjoying the company of for a while. When we PC and 360 owners sit down to enjoy the frivolous exploits of Gordon Freeman in The Orange Box, we feel pangs of guilt for enjoying the bounties which you have not yet received, like we're eating a 40 oz. rib-eye in the middle of a welfare soup line.

To add insult to injury, and then to pour a salt and lemon juice cocktail into said injury, the PS3 version of Orange Box has received the developmental shaft, according to a recent preview on 1UP. While the PC and 360 versions of the game were largely managed by Valve, the PS3 version was apparently the responsibility of a team at EA. This has led to a number of framerate hiccups and other technical issues which "at best merely hinder game play and at worst make the experience downright unplayable."

Gabe Newell, Valve's co-founder, has never been a huge fan of the PS3, calling the system "a waste of everybody's time." Let's hope that the issues facing Orange Box are just small oversights, and not the results of a software tycoon's maniacal personal vendetta. (We think it's the first one, for what it's worth.)

[Via NextGen]

JoystiqPS3 version of Orange Box might be 'downright unplayable' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 25 Nov 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Half-LifeOrange BoxOrangeBoxPS3ValveSun, 25 Nov 2007 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Today's most vertigo-inducing video: Portal Lvl. 13 Time Challenge]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/14/todays-most-vertigo-inducing-video-portal-lvl-13-time-challen/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/14/todays-most-vertigo-inducing-video-portal-lvl-13-time-challen/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/14/todays-most-vertigo-inducing-video-portal-lvl-13-time-challen/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


All we can say is, don't stand too close to the edge while watching this video. You'll slowly lose your equilibrium and tip over, falling into the void without a Portal gun to save your ass. In fact, we just watched it a second time, but made sure that our seatbelts were securely fastened, and that our tray tables were in the full upright and locked positions. We survived, and have now ordered a cocktail and another packet of peanuts with which we can calm our jittery nerves.

Portal continues to stick out of every corner of The Orange Box as one of the coolest, and shortest, titles we've ever played. We'd love to see some new levels made available on a regular basis, as well as some FPS that will let us use the Portal gun on unsuspecting foes. Bring it on.

JoystiqToday's most vertigo-inducing video: Portal Lvl. 13 Time Challenge originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 14 Oct 2007 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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[The Orange Box gets a much needed makeover]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/30/the-orange-box-gets-a-much-needed-makeover/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/30/the-orange-box-gets-a-much-needed-makeover/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/30/the-orange-box-gets-a-much-needed-makeover/#commentsFiled under:

Ever since we laid our eyes on the Half-Life 2: Orange Box cover art we have been a little perplexed by its simplistic design. The cover art featured a mostly orange background with white text explaining the contents and that was about it. We accepted the cover though and never made a fuss. But now it looks like Valve has had a change of heart and design philosophy. TeamXbox is reporting that Valve decided to re-design the Orange Box cover and now it actually features artwork! Indeed, it shows off beautiful Half-Life 2, Team Fortress 2 and Portal artwork! We're glad to see Valve add more art to the cover art and spiffy up the Orange Box, because it really looks good. Check out TeamXbox's supplied Half-Life 2: Orange Box cover viewable after the break.

Continue reading The Orange Box gets a much needed makeover

JoystiqThe Orange Box gets a much needed makeover originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 30 Jun 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So, Shacknews posted a lengthy preview of Team Fortress 2. At first, everything was normal, no different than what we expected. Multiple classes, fun gametypes, cool maps, protestations that the Medic is fun to play: everything was copacetic. According to the review, Team Fortress 2 will not feature cross-platform play. That's all well and good, except Valve -- developer of the PC and Xbox 360 versions (EA UK is handling the PS3 version) -- "regularly play cross-platform multiplayer games." Why then, are we denied such pleasure? According to Valve's Doug Lombardi, it "introduces more problems than it is worth." He further notes that Valve would only implement cross-platform play in a title that was designed for it from the start.

Ah well, looks like we'll have to be satisfied with fragging fellow 360 fanboys.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqTF2 devs play cross-platform, but you won't originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jun 2007 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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.

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Talking with a Valve representative, Shacknews was able to pry a firm release from their lips for a little box set known as Half-Life 2: The Orange Box. The game will hit retailers on October 9th, so we advise circling the date on your calendar with an orange marker so you don't forget. Orange marker, because it's the orange box ... get it? And to refresh your memory, The Orange Box is a bundle that will include Half-Life 2, Episode 1, Episode 2, Team Fortress 2 and Portal for the low, low, next gen price of $59.99. How we see it is that October will be all about carving pumpkins, eating candy corn, and playing a whole lot of Half-Life 2. Cavities be damned!

JoystiqHalf-Life 2: The Orange Box ships in October originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Jun 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When perusing our comment threads, you may see comments from Team Fortress 2 fans that will be opting for the PC version over the 360 version? Why? Lots of free content. Specifically, lots of free user-made content. While it may be some time before user-made content heads to the 360, we are happy to report that any downloadable content for the Orange Box will be free. Eurogamer reports that Valve will not charge for its DLC. According to Team Fortress 2 designer, Robin Walker, "You buy the product, you get the content," who adds, "We make more money because more people buy it, not because we try and nickel-and-dime the same customers." We imagine that someone at EA -- publisher of the Orange Box -- has just imploded. Free content is always good, especially when you consider that TF2 will ship with only 6 maps.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqValve: our downloadable content will be free originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 May 2007 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It seems Team Fortress 2 is fast becoming the best reason to own the Half-Life 2 Orange Box. In every preview of the game, various outlets are describing it as the most outstanding feature of the entertainment-packed package. With some particularly impressive visuals and reportedly rock-solid gameplay to boot, it's easy to see why. IGN recently got their turn to try out Team Fortress 2 and have done us the favor of breaking down every single character class in the game. With 9 classes from which to choose, finding your favorite might be a difficult task, especially considering that the support classes are actually fun to play.

Honestly, we're torn so many ways we don't know what to think. Do we pick the Demoman and his sticky bombs, the Pyro and his flamethrower, or the Engineer and his deadly turrets? What about the chameleon-like Spy, or the cool-as-nails Sniper, or the well-rounded Soldier? Of course, there is the Medic, who's capable of making players and himself briefly invulnerable, and there's the Scout, who can change direction mid-jump. Then again, there's always the Heavy Weapons Guy ... and his beloved Sasha.

Who's your favorite so far?

JoystiqTeam Fortress 2 classes get broken down originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 May 2007 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>half life 2half life 2 orange boxhalf-lifehalf-life 2half-life 2 orange boxHalf-life2Half-life2OrangeBoxHalfLife2HalfLife2OrangeBoxorange boxOrangeBoxteam fortress 2TeamFortress2valveThu, 24 May 2007 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Half-Life 2 Orange Box -- console owners get a steal [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/19/wanted-the-black-box-for-half-life-2-well-its-gone/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/19/wanted-the-black-box-for-half-life-2-well-its-gone/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/19/wanted-the-black-box-for-half-life-2-well-its-gone/#commentsFor the uninitiated, Valve initially intended to release Half-Life 2 in two different options for the consoles. One was the Black Box that contained HL2: Episode 2, Portal, and Team Fortress 2. The other is the Orange Box that contained the aforementioned plus Half-Life 2 and Episode 1 expansion. Notice our tenses. One was. One is. That's right -- the Black Box is gone.

Doug Lombardi, Valve's marketing director confirmed it. "The Black Box has been cancelled. We're going to have one package, The Orange Box, available on the PC (US$49.99) as well as the 360 and PS3 (US$ 59.99)." While we're sad to see a cheaper alternative go down the garbage disposal, it's for the better. Getting the whole package is always a better alternative to getting a partial package. The only ones who seem to get screwed here are the PC owners. If they've already got the original game, they've got to buy it again if they want to get all three new products. Buying them separate might prove more expensive, anyway. Well, at least the console-lovers get everything at once, right?

[Update: Changed the title of the article to better reflect the idea of the post -- indeed, the Black Box was due out only on PC, as it would be silly to not give console owners the actual game. But console owners get a fantastic deal with the Orange Box, no?]

JoystiqHalf-Life 2 Orange Box -- console owners get a steal [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 May 2007 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The PC's Black Box bundle of Half-Life 2: Episode 2, which was to include HL2:Episode 2, Portal and Team Fortress 2 had a head crab dropped on it today and is no more. The $49.99 Orange Box is the only thing that will be offered to PC gamers and it will include the original Half-Life 2 and HL2: Episode 1, along with everything else that was to be in the Black Box. Xbox 360 and PS3 owners will be charged $10 more than that for the same thing as PC gamers, swallowing the standard "next-gen" price of $59.99.

Valve's Doug Lombardi says it's not so bad, "Those who purchase the PC version of The Orange Box will get three separate Steam product codes: One for the three new games, one for HL2, and one for Episode One. This way a PC Orange Box owner can give away their Half-Life 2 or Episode One unused Steam product codes if they don't need a copy of those games. We are excited to deliver the highest value of new gaming content ever offered in one box."

Now that's some slick spin. PC Half-Life gamers have to spend $10 on top of the deceased Black Box price ($39.99) to buy this thing they probably don't need... so they can give it away. We're sorry, what? Can people just take Half-Life 2 and HL2: Episode 1 out of the box if they don't need it and take $10 off the top? If you're a believer in digital distribution, none of this will affect you because everything will be downloadable through Steam, which if you already own Half-Life 2, you've already got. It's just such a strange thing to remove the choice for retail shoppers and leave them the more expensive package.

See also: Team Fortress 2 gets cheeky

JoystiqHalf-Life 2 Black Box gone, only Orange Box remains originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 May 2007 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black boxgordan freemanhl2orange boxPCsteamvalveSat, 19 May 2007 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Team Fortress 2's amazing animation]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/15/video-team-fortress-2s-amazing-animation/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/15/video-team-fortress-2s-amazing-animation/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/15/video-team-fortress-2s-amazing-animation/#commentsFiled under:


The Team Fortress 2 aesthetic has been compared to The Incredibles more than once, and it really shows up in this video, with amazing animation and some decent shtick. This video, to put it simply, is gorgeous. We wish there was more to say about it, but honestly, that's pretty much it. The facial animation is damned near perfect, and the character has real personality. Rather than spoil anything else, we suggest you go ahead and watch it. You'll be glad you did.

The Half-Life 2 Orange Box is starting to look better all the time, isn't it?

JoystiqVideo: Team Fortress 2's amazing animation originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In an interview with IGN, Valve's own Doug Lombardi and Robin Walker talk specifics about that Orange Box game Team Fortress 2. The interview shines new light on how gameplay works, graphics changes, and delves into Valve's experience on gaming consoles. When talking about console coding, Walker says that "we did the Xbox port of Half-Life internally, and we did that because we wanted to have the expertise from doing that" and says "the same guys that did that are working on TF2". With all the Xbox coding experience under their belts they also revealed that the team's work on cross platform play has been implemented into the game. Right now, TF2 allows Xbox 360 and PC gamers to duke it out and is running swimmingly, but hasn't been officially confirmed because it still may be pulled before release. We'll just have to wait until this Fall to see if TF2 can live up to its older bro and also include some cross platform play.

JoystiqTeam Fortress 2 may unite 360 and PC gamers originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Apr 2007 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Game Informer recently got some hands on time with the upcoming Team Fortress 2, a new twist on a classic game, set to be included in the Half-Life 2 Orange Box along with Portal. Team Fortress 2 will include multiple player classes, ranging from the sneaky spy to the more-bullets-than-brains heavy weapons guy, and it looks like each class will actually play very differently. For instance, the Pryo, with his short range flame thrower, is perfect for tight quarters. The super speedy Scout, on the other hand, is the best choice for lightning fast recon and flag captures. Team Fortress 2 features several game types involving territorial control and, of course, capture the flag.

On a slightly disappointing note, the game is set to ship with only 6 different maps. Also worth noting, only one map is set up for capture the flag at this point. Of course, this could change with the release of downloadable content, but it's still disappointing.

All in all, the game looks like a great deal of fun. What's more, with so many character classes from which to choose, anyone should be able to find a niche that's actually fun to play (yes, even the Medic). Hit the "read" link to check out the full preview, including a breakdown of every character class and their respective loadouts.

JoystiqTeam Fortress 2 has a lot of class(es) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Mar 2007 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GameTrailers has posted an interview with Valve's Doug Lombardi discussing the upcoming Orange Box for Xbox 360. The Orange Box, for those who don't know, contains Half-life 2, HL2 episode 1 and 2, Team Fortress 2, and Portal. Lombardi talks about the revisions to the source engine since Half-Life 2 first launched and what is possible with multiple core processors. He discusses some of Gabe Newell's comments about the PS3 and Valve's current opinion of the Wii as well. Also, sprinkled throughout the video are some very pretty snippets of the games included in the Orange Box. For fans of Half-Life, it's definitely worth a look. Give it a watch and tell us what you think.

JoystiqValve interview from GameTrailers originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Mar 2007 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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