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<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Left 4 Dead 2 Steam beta introduces 'Extended Mutation System']]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/13/left-4-dead-2-steam-beta-introduces-extended-mutation-system/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/13/left-4-dead-2-steam-beta-introduces-extended-mutation-system/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/13/left-4-dead-2-steam-beta-introduces-extended-mutation-system/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/13/left-4-dead-2-steam-beta-introduces-extended-mutation-system/"><img alt="Left 4 Dead 2 Steam beta introduces 'Extended Mutation System'" data-src-height="331" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2013/02/l4d2extendedmutationsystem-1360791629.jpg" /></a></div>The <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/game/left-4-dead-2"><em>Left 4 Dead 2</em></a> beta program has added the Extended Mutation System, an expanded toolset for modders to author custom scripts controlling enemy behavior, spawn points and custom game types. A Valve-created survival variant, called Holdout, is included as a <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/mutation/">Mutation</a> example.<br /><br />Valve has published <a href="https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/L4D2_EMS/Intro">a wiki page</a> detailing everything possible with the Extended Mutation System for budding directors, explaining the scripting language used in the game and some of the finer points of Mutation modding. Throughout this test phase, Valve will monitor what Mutations players come up with, fix bugs when needed and keep a close eye out for any features that may be missing.<br /><br />If you're in the <em>Left 4 Dead 2</em> beta program - if you want in, <a href="http://steamcommunity.com/groups/L4D2WSVB/discussions/0/846944689787594867/">this</a> is probably the best place to ask for an invite - you can get cracking on your own custom Mutations right now.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/13/left-4-dead-2-steam-beta-introduces-extended-mutation-system/">Left 4 Dead 2 Steam beta introduces 'Extended Mutation System'</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Wed, 13 Feb 2013 22:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/13/left-4-dead-2-steam-beta-introduces-extended-mutation-system/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/20460790/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/13/left-4-dead-2-steam-beta-introduces-extended-mutation-system/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>beta</category><category>extended-mutation-system</category><category>L4D2</category><category>Left-4-Dead-2</category><category>mac</category><category>mutation</category><category>pc</category><category>source-engine</category><category>steam</category><category>valve</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[David Hinkle]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 13 Feb 2013 22:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Newell: Valve building Source 2 engine, Ricochet 2 is in development]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/11/newell-valve-building-source-2-engine-ricochet-2-is-in-develop/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/11/newell-valve-building-source-2-engine-ricochet-2-is-in-develop/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/11/newell-valve-building-source-2-engine-ricochet-2-is-in-develop/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<div style="text-align: center; "> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="398" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_Fl4s9T79n0?wmode=opaque" width="530"></iframe><br /> <a class="hidden" href="http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/11/newell-valve-building-source-2-engine-ricochet-2-is-in-develop/"><img alt="Newell Valve building Source 2 engine, Ricochet 2 is in development" data-src-height="345" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2012/11/newell-source-2.png" /></a></div><br />Valve head honcho Gabe Newell got a visit from fans on 4chan.org's /v/ board for his birthday, and after paying $2.50 to unlock a real-life Mann Co. crate with a <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/game/team-fortress-2"><em>TF2</em></a> Soldier hat inside, he stuck around to talk shop. The first question (Newell specifically warned against questions about <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/half-life-3"><em>Half-Life 3</em></a>) was, paraphrased from the above recording, "Is Valve working on a new Source engine?"<br /><br />Newell answered, "We've been working on new engine stuff for a while." The audio then became garbled, but subtitles read, "We've just been waiting for a game to roll it out with." Regardless of the incomprehensible audio, someone asked a straightforward follow-up question: "Is it more than just an extension to Source? Like, is it an entirely new engine?"<br /><br />"Yeah," Newell said.<br /><br />In August a group uncovered code for a "<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/06/report-source-2-references-buried-in-source-filmmaker-code/">Source 2 engine</a>" in the Source Filmmaker application, alongside "Source 2 tools" icons. The engine was labeled "next-gen."<br /><br />Also during /v/'s Valve takeover, Newell and co. confirmed that <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/ricochet-2/"><em>Ricochet 2</em></a> is in development.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/11/newell-valve-building-source-2-engine-ricochet-2-is-in-develop/">Newell: Valve building Source 2 engine, Ricochet 2 is in development</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Sun, 11 Nov 2012 15:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/11/newell-valve-building-source-2-engine-ricochet-2-is-in-develop/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/20376661/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/11/newell-valve-building-source-2-engine-ricochet-2-is-in-develop/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>4chan</category><category>gabe-newell</category><category>mac</category><category>pc</category><category>ricochet</category><category>ricochet-2</category><category>source</category><category>source-2</category><category>source-engine</category><category>source-engine-2</category><category>v</category><category>valve</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jessica Conditt]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 11 Nov 2012 15:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Report: Source 2 references buried in Source Filmmaker code]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/06/report-source-2-references-buried-in-source-filmmaker-code/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/06/report-source-2-references-buried-in-source-filmmaker-code/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/06/report-source-2-references-buried-in-source-filmmaker-code/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<div style="text-align: center; "> <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/06/report-source-2-references-buried-in-source-filmmaker-code/"><img alt="Report Source 2 references buried in Source Filmmaker code" data-src-height="192" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2012/08/source2headerimgbetter.jpg" /></a></div>Valve fans are getting more than machinima film editing tools in the <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/source-filmmaker">Source Filmmaker</a> application, apparently - savvy code hackers at <a href="http://www.valvetime.net/threads/exclusive-next-gen-source-2-engine-is-in-development.215336/">ValveTime.net</a> uncovered references in the code to a "Source 2 engine," indicating that a second iteration of Valve's "Source" engine is in the works. The references go beyond text, as several tool icons (labeled "Source 2 tools") were also found.<br /><br />Moreover, the engine is labeled as "next-gen," hinting at what its likely application will be - next-gen video games. Valve has yet to announce any next-gen projects, and the company's never said a word about its next Source iteration.<br /><br /><em>Half-Life 2</em>, the Left 4 Dead series, and several other Valve games are based on the original Source architecture, dating all the way back to 2004. It's been criticized in recent years for inflexibility and agedness, and a reboot certainly wouldn't hurt. Valve had yet to respond to request for comment as of publishing.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/06/report-source-2-references-buried-in-source-filmmaker-code/">Report: Source 2 references buried in Source Filmmaker code</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 10:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/06/report-source-2-references-buried-in-source-filmmaker-code/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/20293992/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/06/report-source-2-references-buried-in-source-filmmaker-code/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>source-2</category><category>source-engine</category><category>source-engine-2</category><category>source-filmmaker</category><category>valve</category><category>valve-software</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ben Gilbert]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 06 Aug 2012 10:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA['Dear Esther' now launching in early 2012, moved over to Portal 2 engine]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/dear-esther-now-launching-in-early-2012-moved-over-to-portal/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/dear-esther-now-launching-in-early-2012-moved-over-to-portal/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/dear-esther-now-launching-in-early-2012-moved-over-to-portal/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<div style="text-align: center; ">
	<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/dear-esther-now-launching-in-early-2012-moved-over-to-portal/"><img border="1" hspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2011/11/esther0100-530.jpg" vspace="4" /></a></div>
It's strange, isn't it? The day after we're supposed to give thanks for all the special things in life, we subject ourselves to unknown abuse all in the name of saving a buck. Let's instead give thanks for indie game projects that you won't ever find under the heel of a particularly ill-tempered Walmart shopper on this or any other Black Friday. Like <em><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/game/dear-esther">Dear Esther</a></em> for example, the promising <em>Half Life 2</em> mod turned real boy, coming to Steam ... when exactly?<br />
<br />
The more calendrically challenged amongst you may not have realized this, but <em>Dear Esther</em> has already missed its <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/12/dear-esther-hl2-mod-remake-to-be-commercially-released-this-summ/">proposed summer 2011</a> release window so you'll be glad to know it hasn't been summarily forgotten. Developer Dan Pinchbeck says the project has been successfully ported to the <em>Portal 2</em> engine, and discussions with Valve indicate a release "very likely to be either the end of January or the beginning of February next year." Right alongside Episode 3, right guys?<br />
<br />
Guys?<br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/dear-esther/">Dear Esther</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/dear-esther/#4636196"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2011/11/paul0137_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/dear-esther/#4636197"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2011/11/esther0100_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/dear-esther/#4636198"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2011/11/jakobson0065_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/dear-esther/#4636199"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2011/11/jakobson0068-1024x576_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/dear-esther/#4636209"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2011/11/paul0116_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/dear-esther-now-launching-in-early-2012-moved-over-to-portal/">'Dear Esther' now launching in early 2012, moved over to Portal 2 engine</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Sat, 26 Nov 2011 06:17:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/dear-esther-now-launching-in-early-2012-moved-over-to-portal/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/20114631/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/dear-esther-now-launching-in-early-2012-moved-over-to-portal/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>dan-pinchbeck</category><category>dear-esther</category><category>microsoft</category><category>mod</category><category>pc</category><category>robert-briscoe</category><category>source-engine</category><category>thechineseroom</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Christopher Grant]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 26 Nov 2011 06:17:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Counter-Strike: Global Offensive trailer is wholly inoffensive]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/counter-strike-global-offensive-trailer-is-wholly-inoffensive/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/counter-strike-global-offensive-trailer-is-wholly-inoffensive/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/counter-strike-global-offensive-trailer-is-wholly-inoffensive/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<div style="text-align: center; ">
	<img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2011/08/csgoheaderimg530px21512.jpg" style="width: 530px; height: 303px; display:none " /> <!--[if IE]><object width="599" height="337" id="viddlerOuter-418eef4b" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="//www.viddler.com/simple/418eef4b/"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="flashVars" value="f=1&amp;autoplay=f&amp;disablebranding=0&amp;loop=0&amp;hd=0"><object id="viddlerInner-418eef4b"><video id="viddlerVideo-418eef4b" src="//www.viddler.com/file/418eef4b/html5mobile/" type="video/mp4" width="599" height="317" poster="//www.viddler.com/thumbnail/418eef4b/" controls="controls" x-webkit-airplay="allow"></video></object></object><![endif]--><!--[if !IE]> <!--><object data="//www.viddler.com/simple/418eef4b/" height="337" id="viddlerOuter-418eef4b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="599"><param name="movie" value="//www.viddler.com/simple/418eef4b/" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowNetworking" value="all" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="flashVars" value="f=1&amp;autoplay=f&amp;disablebranding=0&amp;loop=0&amp;hd=0" /><object id="viddlerInner-418eef4b"><video controls="controls" height="317" id="viddlerVideo-418eef4b" poster="//www.viddler.com/thumbnail/418eef4b/" src="//www.viddler.com/file/418eef4b/html5mobile/" type="video/mp4" width="599" x-webkit-airplay="allow"></video></object></object><!--<![endif]--></div>
<br />
The first gameplay trailer for <em>Counter-Strike: Global Offensive</em> is actually quite pleasing. That is, if you're into the fast-paced slaughter of virtual opponents. It's okay, folks -- they're terrorists, so that's kinda how these things work.<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/counter-strike-global-offensive-pc-360-ps3/">Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (PC/360/PS3)</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/counter-strike-global-offensive-pc-360-ps3/#4399063"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2011/08/csgo1_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/counter-strike-global-offensive-pc-360-ps3/#4399064"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2011/08/csgo2_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/counter-strike-global-offensive-pc-360-ps3/#4399065"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2011/08/csgo3_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/counter-strike-global-offensive-pc-360-ps3/#4399066"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2011/08/csgo4_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/counter-strike-global-offensive-pc-360-ps3/#4399067"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2011/08/csgo5_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/counter-strike-global-offensive-trailer-is-wholly-inoffensive/">Counter-Strike: Global Offensive trailer is wholly inoffensive</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/counter-strike-global-offensive-trailer-is-wholly-inoffensive/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/20027616/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/counter-strike-global-offensive-trailer-is-wholly-inoffensive/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>counter-strike-global-offensive</category><category>gameplay</category><category>mac</category><category>microsoft</category><category>pc</category><category>playstation</category><category>playstation-network</category><category>ps3</category><category>psn</category><category>source</category><category>source-engine</category><category>steam</category><category>valve</category><category>valve-software</category><category>xbla</category><category>xbox</category><category>xbox-live-arcade</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ben Gilbert]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 26 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Portal 2 Authoring Tools now available in beta for PC gamers]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/portal-2-authoring-tools-now-available-in-beta-for-pc-gamers/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/portal-2-authoring-tools-now-available-in-beta-for-pc-gamers/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/portal-2-authoring-tools-now-available-in-beta-for-pc-gamers/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<div style="text-align: center; ">
	<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/portal-2-authoring-tools-now-available-in-beta-for-pc-gamers/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2011/05/portal2modtoolsheaderimg530px24124.jpg" /></a></div>
Finished <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/game/portal-2"><em>Portal 2</em></a> but haven't had your fill of Aperture Science testing chambers? Aside from handing out a slew of <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/portal-2-dlc-1-free/">free content in the coming months</a>, Valve is releasing the <em>Portal 2</em> Authoring Tools -- essentially giving PC users access to some of the nuts and bolts behind the developer's critical hit.<br />
<br />
The tools are free for owners of the game on PC, and can be found in the Tools tab of Steam accounts. As with previous Source Engine mod kits released by Valve, you'll be able to employ all of the game's assets: single player and co-op levels, character skins, sound effects, music, and 3D models are all at your disposal.<br />
<br />
Beyond the basics, Valve is including an updated version of Faceposer (facial animation software), some "examples maps and instances to help build new maps," and an "updated suite of command-line compiling utilities." That last part sounds <em>dangerous</em>, so we'll leave it up to you to figure out what it does.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/portal-2-authoring-tools-now-available-in-beta-for-pc-gamers/">Portal 2 Authoring Tools now available in beta for PC gamers</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Wed, 11 May 2011 10:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/portal-2-authoring-tools-now-available-in-beta-for-pc-gamers/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19937479/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/portal-2-authoring-tools-now-available-in-beta-for-pc-gamers/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>authoring-tools</category><category>beta</category><category>faceposer</category><category>hammer</category><category>modding</category><category>pc</category><category>portal-2</category><category>portal-2-authoring-tools</category><category>source-engine</category><category>steam</category><category>valve-software</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ben Gilbert]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 11 May 2011 10:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Dear Esther HL2 mod remake to be commercially released this summer]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/12/dear-esther-hl2-mod-remake-to-be-commercially-released-this-summ/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/12/dear-esther-hl2-mod-remake-to-be-commercially-released-this-summ/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/12/dear-esther-hl2-mod-remake-to-be-commercially-released-this-summ/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/12/dear-esther-hl2-mod-remake-to-be-commercially-released-this-summ/"><img hspace="4" vspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2011/02/dear-esther-early-103110-530w.jpg" /></a></div>
Selected in December as Mod DB's annual "<a href="http://www.moddb.com/events/2010-mod-of-the-year-awards/features/editors-choice-best-upcoming-mod-2010">Best Upcoming Mod</a>," <em>Dear Esther</em> is actually a remake of a 2008 <em>Half-Life 2</em> 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 <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/game/mirrors-edge"><em>Mirror's Edge</em></a>. While "far from perfect," <em>Dear Esther </em>had both intrigued and inspired Briscoe, <a href="http://www.littlelostpoly.co.uk/devblog/?p=180">he wrote</a> 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."<br />
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"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 [<em>sic</em>] 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."<br />
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21 months of steady development later and the <em>Dear Esther</em> remake is on track for a <em>commercial</em> 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 <a href="http://dear-esther.com">dear-esther.com</a>. "Rob was creating something so extraordinary," Pinchbeck told <em>PC Gamer UK</em> in the new issue (via <a href="http://beefjack.com/news/half-life-2-mod-dear-esther-to-see-commercial-release/">Beefjack</a>), "[that] it deserved a wider audience than we could give it as a mod."<br />
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You can get a glimpse of Briscoe's recreation in the June 2010 test footage postead after the break.<br />
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[Pictured: work-in-progress screenshot; source: <a href="http://www.littlelostpoly.co.uk/devblog/?cat=9">Robert Briscoe's Devblog</a>]<p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/12/dear-esther-hl2-mod-remake-to-be-commercially-released-this-summ/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Dear Esther HL2 mod remake to be commercially released this summer</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/12/dear-esther-hl2-mod-remake-to-be-commercially-released-this-summ/">Dear Esther HL2 mod remake to be commercially released this summer</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Sat, 12 Feb 2011 00:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/12/dear-esther-hl2-mod-remake-to-be-commercially-released-this-summ/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19840786/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/12/dear-esther-hl2-mod-remake-to-be-commercially-released-this-summ/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>dan-pinchbeck</category><category>dear-esther</category><category>half-life-2</category><category>mod</category><category>pc</category><category>robert-briscoe</category><category>source-engine</category><category>steam</category><category>thechineseroom</category><category>valve</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[James Ransom-Wiley]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 12 Feb 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA['Hybrid' XBLA shooter announced by 5th Cell, due 2011]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/hybrid-xbla-shooter-announced-by-5th-cell/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/hybrid-xbla-shooter-announced-by-5th-cell/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/hybrid-xbla-shooter-announced-by-5th-cell/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/hybrid-xbla-shooter-announced-by-5th-cell/"><img vspace="0" hspace="0" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/10/gamhybridannounce530.jpg" /></a></div>
The <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/5th-cell-counting-down-to-xbla-announcement/">countdown</a> on <em>Scribblenauts</em> developer 5th Cell's site ran its course last night, <a href="http://whatishybrid.com/">revealing</a> the somewhat surprising identity of the studio's next project: An Xbox Live Arcade third-person shooter called <em>Hybrid</em>. The game, which is built with the Source Engine, has players enlist in one of two opposing forces, Paladins or Variants. Aside from their titles, these two factions seem to exhibit other differences, as evidenced in the trailer posted after the jump. For instance, one's good at taking cover, while the other does parkour.<br />
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5th Cell promises that <em>Hybrid</em> will provide "a completely new gameplay experience never seen before in the genre," a claim that might not be so outrageous given the studio's innovations in the puzzle-platformer genre through its <em><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/game/scribblenauts">Scribblenauts</a> </em><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/game/super-scribblenauts">series</a>. If we were a betting site, we'd wager that the wall-to-ceiling-running shown in the trailer has something to do with said <em>innovativeness</em> -- but seeing as how <em>Hybrid's</em> due for release sometime in 2011, it might be a little too early for such baseless conjecture.<br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/hybrid-concept-art/">Hybrid (concept art)</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/hybrid-concept-art/#3520339"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/10/hybridconcept1_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/hybrid-concept-art/#3520340"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/10/hybridconcept2_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/hybrid-concept-art/#3520343"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/10/hybridconcept3_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/hybrid-concept-art/#3520345"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/10/hybridconcept4_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/hybrid-xbla-shooter-announced-by-5th-cell/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>'Hybrid' XBLA shooter announced by 5th Cell, due 2011</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/hybrid-xbla-shooter-announced-by-5th-cell/">'Hybrid' XBLA shooter announced by 5th Cell, due 2011</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 11:15:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/hybrid-xbla-shooter-announced-by-5th-cell/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19694999/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/hybrid-xbla-shooter-announced-by-5th-cell/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>5th-cell</category><category>hybrid-xbla</category><category>microsoft</category><category>release-date</category><category>source-engine</category><category>third-person-shooter</category><category>xbla</category><category>xblm</category><category>xbox</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Griffin McElroy]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 29 Oct 2010 11:15:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[5TH Cell counting down to XBLA announcement [update]]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/5th-cell-counting-down-to-xbla-announcement/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/5th-cell-counting-down-to-xbla-announcement/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/5th-cell-counting-down-to-xbla-announcement/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<center><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/5th-cell-counting-down-to-xbla-announcement/"><img border="0" hspace="0" vspace="0" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/08/5thcelllogo817.jpg" /></a></center><em>Scribblenauts</em> developer <a href="http://joystiq.com/tag/5th-cell">5TH Cell</a> is about to reveal its <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/5th-cells-next-game-uses-the-source-engine/">next game</a>, which it has been <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/09/5th-cells-next-a-pretty-big-xbla-game/">teasing</a> for almost a year -- but there's a bit more teasing to do before that happens. The developer posted a <a href="http://5thcell.com/countdown/">seven-day countdown</a> for the title on its site, revealing in a press release that the end of the countdown -- <strike>Thursday, October 28 at 10pm PDT</strike> Friday, October 29 at 1am EDT and 1am PDT -- will coincide with the reveal of the new title on Spike TV. A brief teaser will also be shown tonight.<br />
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According to the press release, the game will be "a completely new experience for Xbox Live Arcade players." 5TH Cell's Jeremiah Slaczka has previously <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/5th-cells-next-game-uses-the-source-engine/">told Joystiq</a> that the company's next original game would use the Source Engine. We'll find out more in ... seven days, and counting. <br />
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Update: 5TH Cell informed us that it sent out the incorrect time yesterday. You'll be able to see the reveal on Friday, October 29 at 1am EDT/PDT.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/5th-cell-counting-down-to-xbla-announcement/">5TH Cell counting down to XBLA announcement [update]</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/5th-cell-counting-down-to-xbla-announcement/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19683894/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/5th-cell-counting-down-to-xbla-announcement/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>5th-cell</category><category>countdown</category><category>microsoft</category><category>source-engine</category><category>spike-tv</category><category>xbla</category><category>xbox</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[JC Fletcher]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 21 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Have a Bloody Good Time in Ubisoft's Source Engine FPS]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/bloody-good-time-source-engine-fps/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/bloody-good-time-source-engine-fps/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/bloody-good-time-source-engine-fps/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/weird-but-true/" rel="tag">Weird But True</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/opinions/" rel="tag">Opinions</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/new-in-pop-culture/" rel="tag">New In Pop Culture</a></p><center><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/bloody-good-time-source-engine-fps/"><img vspace="0" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/09/bgt9210.jpg" alt="" /></a></center>Hot on the heels of the <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/01/ubisofts-movie-parody-posters-look-like-a-bloody-good-time/">"movie poster" teasers</a>, and ... several months after the <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/18/ubisofts-bloody-good-time-coming-to-pc-xbla-in-q2/">first mention</a> of the title, Ubisoft has given us the first real look at its downloadable game <em>Bloody Good Time</em>.<br />
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The multiplayer <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/source-engine">Source Engine</a>-powered FPS will be released on Steam and XBLA. Up to eight players can compete in various environments within a movie set, fighting to get the starring role in a horror movie by murdering each other with weapons ranging from the expected (guns) to the bizarre ("an exploding remote-controlled rat").<br />
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Check out the first screens in the gallery below, featuring the game's cast of playable movie stereotypes. <em>Bloody Good Time </em>will be available this fall.<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/bloody-good-time-pc-xbla/">Bloody Good Time (first screens)</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/bloody-good-time-pc-xbla/#3326096"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/09/bgtscreenshotsthirdblack_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/bloody-good-time-pc-xbla/#3326097"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/09/mfpsshotgun2_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/bloody-good-time-pc-xbla/#3326099"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/09/mthirdflametrower_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/bloody-good-time-pc-xbla/#3326100"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/09/mthirdfryingpan_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/bloody-good-time-pc-xbla/#3326101"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/09/mthirdrc_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/bloody-good-time-source-engine-fps/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Have a Bloody Good Time in Ubisoft's Source Engine FPS</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/bloody-good-time-source-engine-fps/">Have a Bloody Good Time in Ubisoft's Source Engine FPS</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:53:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/bloody-good-time-source-engine-fps/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19619060/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/bloody-good-time-source-engine-fps/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>bloody-good-time</category><category>fps</category><category>microsoft</category><category>outerlight</category><category>pc</category><category>q3-2010</category><category>release-date</category><category>source-engine</category><category>Steam</category><category>Ubisoft</category><category>XBLA</category><category>xbox</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[JC Fletcher]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:53:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[5TH Cell's next game uses the Source engine]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/5th-cells-next-game-uses-the-source-engine/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/5th-cells-next-game-uses-the-source-engine/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/5th-cells-next-game-uses-the-source-engine/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/weird-but-true/" rel="tag">Weird But True</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/opinions/" rel="tag">Opinions</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/new-in-pop-culture/" rel="tag">New In Pop Culture</a></p><center><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/5th-cells-next-game-uses-the-source-engine/"><img border="0" hspace="0" vspace="0" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/08/5thcelllogo817.jpg" /></a></center>Jeremiah Slaczka, creative director and CEO of <em><a href="http://joystiq.com/game/super-scribblenauts">Super Scribblenauts</a></em> developer 5TH Cell, dropped a tantalizing hint about the company's next project in a statement to Joystiq. "We're not ready to reveal our next original game just yet, but I can say we're using the <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/source-engine">Source Engine</a> for it," Slaczka told us.<br />
<br />
Slaczka wouldn't confirm or deny whether this is the XBLA project mentioned <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/09/5th-cells-next-a-pretty-big-xbla-game/">last year</a>. But if it's using Valve's FPS-friendly Source engine, it's unlikely to be a DS game -- and it's unlikely to be <em>Scribblenauts</em>. As for when we can expect to learn more about this mystery project: "Hopefully we'll have something to show people in a few months."<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/5th-cells-next-game-uses-the-source-engine/">5TH Cell's next game uses the Source engine</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:15:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/5th-cells-next-game-uses-the-source-engine/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19597577/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/5th-cells-next-game-uses-the-source-engine/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>5th-Cell</category><category>jeremiah-slaczka</category><category>Source-Engine</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[JC Fletcher]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:15:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Alien Swarm and Source-based SDK launching for free this Monday]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/18/alien-swarm-and-source-based-sdk-launching-for-free-this-monday/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/18/alien-swarm-and-source-based-sdk-launching-for-free-this-monday/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/18/alien-swarm-and-source-based-sdk-launching-for-free-this-monday/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/weird-but-true/" rel="tag">Weird But True</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/opinions/" rel="tag">Opinions</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/new-in-pop-culture/" rel="tag">New In Pop Culture</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/18/alien-swarm-and-source-based-sdk-launching-for-free-this-monday/#continued"><img vspace="0" hspace="0" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/07/alienswarmheaderimg530px2.jpg" /></a></div>
In <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/news/4081/">an announcement</a> perhaps meant to obliterate the definition of "Valve Time," the publisher announced that <em>Alien Swarm</em> has been rebuilt in Source Engine and will be released -- for free, no less -- tomorrow, Monday, July 19. The team that originally built the mod for <em>UT2004</em> has since been hired on by Valve for work on the <em><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/game/left-4-dead">Left 4 Dead</a></em> series and <em><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/game/portal-2">Portal 2</a></em>, but luckily found enough time to move their game over to Valve's game engine between bouts of working on those <em>other two games</em>.<br />
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If you're so inclined, you can pre-load <em>Alien Swarm</em> starting <em><a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/630/">right now</a></em> before it goes live tomorrow. Oh! And when it does go live, Valve will also release the full SDK for the game, allowing users to get a more thorough look at what makes the game tick. Us? We're just excited to blast swarms of aliens with the totally insane looking flamethrower seen above. Hit the break for a trailer of the game in action.<br />
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[Thanks, Morey]<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/alien-swarm-source/">Alien Swarm (Source)</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/alien-swarm-source/#3182416"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/07/alienswarm2_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/alien-swarm-source/#3182417"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/07/alienswarm3_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/alien-swarm-source/#3182418"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/07/alienswarm4_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/alien-swarm-source/#3182419"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/07/alienswarm5_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/alien-swarm-source/#3182420"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/07/alienswarmheaderimg530px_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/18/alien-swarm-and-source-based-sdk-launching-for-free-this-monday/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Alien Swarm and Source-based SDK launching for free this Monday</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/18/alien-swarm-and-source-based-sdk-launching-for-free-this-monday/">Alien Swarm and Source-based SDK launching for free this Monday</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Sun, 18 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/18/alien-swarm-and-source-based-sdk-launching-for-free-this-monday/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19558678/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/18/alien-swarm-and-source-based-sdk-launching-for-free-this-monday/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>alien-swarm</category><category>pc</category><category>sdk</category><category>source-engine</category><category>steam</category><category>unreal-tournament-2004</category><category>valve</category><category>valve-software</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ben Gilbert]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 18 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Source SDK being patched for mods on Mac]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/source-sdk-being-patched-for-mods-on-mac/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/source-sdk-being-patched-for-mods-on-mac/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/source-sdk-being-patched-for-mods-on-mac/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<div style="text-align: center; "><a href="http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15144290"><img border="0" hspace="0" vspace="0" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/05/macbookswithdinodday580px.jpg" /></a></div>
Since <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/12/steam-for-mac-now-available-sort-of/">Steam launched for Mac</a> earlier this month, those of us enjoying the service have been seeking the answer to one crucial question: Will we ever be able to shoot <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/14/theres-a-game-that-exists-which-has-nazi-dinosaurs-in-it/">Nazi dinosaurs</a> like everyone else? It appears our answer is "yes, eventually," as one Valve employee took to <a href="http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15144290">the publisher's forums</a> to respond to fans questions about whether Source mods would be available on Mac, saying, "We are working on a code update so you can compile your mods for OS X." <br />
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The employee doesn't go into specifics, but <a href="http://www.macstories.net/news/valve-working-on-source-sdk-update-to-bring-mods-to-os-x/">MacStories</a> guesses we could see the update as soon as <a href="http://www.engadget.com/tag/wwdc+2010/">WWDC</a>. Frankly, it's possible that the update will arrive around then, but we'll probably be so ensconced in news about <a href="http://www.engadget.com/tag/iphone+4g/">the new iPhone</a> that Nazi dinosaurs will be far from the top of our priority list. Oh, who're we kidding? Killing Nazi dinosaurs is <em>always</em> near the top of the priority list.<br type="_moz" />
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[Via <a href="http://www.macstories.net/news/valve-working-on-source-sdk-update-to-bring-mods-to-os-x/">MacStories</a>]<br />
<br type="_moz" /><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/source-sdk-being-patched-for-mods-on-mac/">Source SDK being patched for mods on Mac</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Thu, 27 May 2010 14:20:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15144290>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/source-sdk-being-patched-for-mods-on-mac/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19494072/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/source-sdk-being-patched-for-mods-on-mac/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>dino-d-day</category><category>mod</category><category>mods</category><category>nazi-dinosaur</category><category>os-x</category><category>osx</category><category>source</category><category>source-engine</category><category>steam</category><category>wwdc</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ben Gilbert]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 27 May 2010 14:20:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Valve adds user-created items to Team Fortress 2]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/19/valve-adds-user-created-items-to-team-fortress-2/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/19/valve-adds-user-created-items-to-team-fortress-2/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/19/valve-adds-user-created-items-to-team-fortress-2/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=3618"><img hspace="0" border="1" vspace="0" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/03/hairclubtf2580.jpg" /></a></div>
Got a great idea for a hat or weapon for <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/team-fortress-2"><em>Team Fortress 2</em></a>? Valve wants to hear about it -- better yet, Valve wants you to make it. The TF2 blog <a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=3618&amp;p=1">reports</a> that Valve has already seen plenty of solid submissions -- items you can get a hold of in today's update. If you're the creator of one of these items, you'll find a special version waiting for you in your backpack. Hooray for bragging rights!<br />
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And for you budding designers out there, don't just think of it as a way to get some experience under your belt, but think of it as a service for these guys. Heavy above always had an image problem (thanks, male pattern baldness!), but now he's feeling good and going out on dates like <em>every</em> night!<br />
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[Via <a href="http://news.bigdownload.com/2010/03/19/team-fortress-2-now-allows-contributions-from-third-parties/">Big Download</a>]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/19/valve-adds-user-created-items-to-team-fortress-2/">Valve adds user-created items to Team Fortress 2</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=3618>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/19/valve-adds-user-created-items-to-team-fortress-2/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19406625/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/19/valve-adds-user-created-items-to-team-fortress-2/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>community</category><category>custom-items</category><category>multiplayer</category><category>source</category><category>source-engine</category><category>steam</category><category>team-fortress-2</category><category>user-generated-content</category><category>valve</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[David Hinkle]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Half-Life 2 PC updated with Episode 2 tech, longs for Xbox 360 parity]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/05/half-life-2-pc-updated-with-episode-2-tech-longs-for-xbox-360-p/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/05/half-life-2-pc-updated-with-episode-2-tech-longs-for-xbox-360-p/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/05/half-life-2-pc-updated-with-episode-2-tech-longs-for-xbox-360-p/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<div style="text-align: center;"><img hspace="0" height="285" border="1" width="580" vspace="0" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/01/hl2-update-hdr-screen.jpg" /></div>
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 <em><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/Half-Life-2/">Half-Life 2</a></em> and <em>Half-Life 2: Episode One</em> - rebuilt with <em>Episode Two's</em> fancy new Source engine tech - while the PC releases sputtered on, sans engine enhancements and sans Achievements.<br />
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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 (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1o1lepo0uM">demo video here</a>). While the legality of this project is certainly dubious, the requirement of both <em>Half-Life 2</em> and <em>Half-Life 2: Episode Two</em> should assuage your piracy concerns. Now, whether or not that assuages Valve's possible concerns with this project remain to be seen.<br />
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If you're interested you'd better find a download link <a href="http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1093025">in this forum thread</a>, 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 <a href="http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showpost.php?p=12866673&amp;postcount=60">apparently</a> "working on the EP1 part now." Until that day of parity comes, enjoy the moment console gamers. <br />
<br />
[Via <a href="http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/01/05/hevy-metal-half-life-2-gets-upgraded/">Rock, Paper, Shotgun</a>]<p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/05/half-life-2-pc-updated-with-episode-2-tech-longs-for-xbox-360-p/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Half-Life 2 PC updated with Episode 2 tech, longs for Xbox 360 parity</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/05/half-life-2-pc-updated-with-episode-2-tech-longs-for-xbox-360-p/">Half-Life 2 PC updated with Episode 2 tech, longs for Xbox 360 parity</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:45:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1093025>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/05/half-life-2-pc-updated-with-episode-2-tech-longs-for-xbox-360-p/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19304436/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/05/half-life-2-pc-updated-with-episode-2-tech-longs-for-xbox-360-p/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Half-Life-2</category><category>mod</category><category>Source</category><category>Source-Engine</category><category>Valve-Software</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Christopher Grant]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:45:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Valve selling Team Fortress 2, Left 4 Dead-themed greeting cards]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/22/valve-selling-team-fortress-2-left-4-dead-themed-greeting-cards/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/22/valve-selling-team-fortress-2-left-4-dead-themed-greeting-cards/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/22/valve-selling-team-fortress-2-left-4-dead-themed-greeting-cards/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://store.valvesoftware.com/"><img vspace="0" hspace="0" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/11/tf2holidaygreetingcard580pxheaderimg.jpg" /></a></div>
We know how boring most holly jolly holiday cards can be, so we were glad to see that a handful of Valve-ified greeting cards are now available for purchase at the game maker's <a href="http://store.valvesoftware.com/">online store</a>. Featuring characters from <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/left-4-dead"><em>Left 4 Dead</em></a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/left-4-dead-2"><em>Left 4 Dead 2</em></a>, and <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/team-fortress-2"><em>Team Fortress 2</em></a> in compromising holiday situations, there's no doubt that we'll actually - <em>finally</em> - send out greeting cards this year to everyone in our little black book. We're quite partial to the handful of <em>TF2</em>-themed images you see above (just look at The Spy, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/17/it-was-obvious-meet-team-fortress-2s-spy/">back with The Scout's mother</a>!), but we're sure there's something for everyone in your list of Source Engine-loving holiday card receivers. <br />
<br />
[Via <a href="http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/11/22/valve-offers-up-some-cool-holiday-greeting-cards/">Big Download</a>]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/22/valve-selling-team-fortress-2-left-4-dead-themed-greeting-cards/">Valve selling Team Fortress 2, Left 4 Dead-themed greeting cards</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:59:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://store.valvesoftware.com/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/22/valve-selling-team-fortress-2-left-4-dead-themed-greeting-cards/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19249669/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/22/valve-selling-team-fortress-2-left-4-dead-themed-greeting-cards/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>holiday-cards</category><category>holidays</category><category>left-4-dead</category><category>left-4-dead-2</category><category>pc</category><category>source-engine</category><category>team-fortress-2</category><category>valve</category><category>valve-software</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ben Gilbert]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:59:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Demonstrated: Controlling facial expressions in-game with camera]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/demonstrated-controlling-facial-expressions-in-game-with-camera/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/demonstrated-controlling-facial-expressions-in-game-with-camera/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/demonstrated-controlling-facial-expressions-in-game-with-camera/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://torbensko.com/"><img width="580" vspace="4" hspace="0" height="374" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/10/torben-sko-breen-580.jpg" /></a></div>
There are two things we can say about Torben Sko. First: He's probably never had a problem getting 'torbensko' usernames. We'd like to applaud his forward-thinking parents who clearly saw the benefit of a unique name in the distant, internet-enabled future. Second: Sko's technology demos (remember <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/01/a-peek-and-head-tilt-into-the-future-head-tracking-in-fps-gam/">this head-tracking demo</a>?) have helped us conceptualize what a <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/Project-Natal/">Natal</a>-enabled future will be like, more so than jury-rigged versions of <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/25/tgs-2009-body-on-project-natal-with-space-invaders-extreme/"><em>Burnout Paradise</em></a> or <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/25/tgs-2009-body-on-project-natal-with-space-invaders-extreme/"><em>Katamari Damacy</em></a>.<br /> <br /> In his latest video (found after the break), Sko demonstrates how to control the facial expressions of a virtual character using nothing but a plain ol' web cam (oh, and the same FaceAPI software he used for his first demo). Much like <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/24/tgs-2009-xbox-360-creator-panel-discussion-recap/">Hideo Kojima's visions of a Natal-enabled future</a>, Sko's never involve <em>replacing </em>the controller (or keyboard and mouse) but rather <em>supplementing </em>it with, in this case, your face. No word on support for particularly ugly faces, but we suspect Microsoft's got its best and most beautiful people on it.<p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/demonstrated-controlling-facial-expressions-in-game-with-camera/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Demonstrated: Controlling facial expressions in-game with camera</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/demonstrated-controlling-facial-expressions-in-game-with-camera/">Demonstrated: Controlling facial expressions in-game with camera</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:45:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://torbensko.com/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/demonstrated-controlling-facial-expressions-in-game-with-camera/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19196259/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/demonstrated-controlling-facial-expressions-in-game-with-camera/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>faceAPI</category><category>Microsoft</category><category>Project-Natal</category><category>Source-engine</category><category>Torben-Sko</category><category>Xbox-360</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Christopher Grant]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:45:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Mario Kart: Source PC mod uses 'the best parts of each' MK game]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/mario-kart-source-pc-mod-uses-the-best-parts-of-each-mk-game/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/mario-kart-source-pc-mod-uses-the-best-parts-of-each-mk-game/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/mario-kart-source-pc-mod-uses-the-best-parts-of-each-mk-game/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/culture/" rel="tag">Culture</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/retro/" rel="tag">Retro</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/mario-kart-source/1311596/full/"><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/01/mario-kart-source-woot-490.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /><small><em>click for Mario Kart: Source gallery<br /></em></small></div>
<br />You don't have to tell the crew of people painstakingly piecing together<em> <a href="http://www.moddb.com/mods/mariokart-source">Mario Kart: Source</a></em> that there's a much easier way to play <em>Mario Kart</em> games on PCs. Sure, they could fire up an emulator and play <em>Mario Kart 64</em> and it would be just like it was <em>way back when</em> ... but where's the challenge in that? What they could (and did) opt to do was take <em>Half-Life 2's</em> flexible Source Engine to create a <em>Mario Kart</em> mashup; the project manager says, "We're not simply recreating one version of <em>MK</em>, but using the best parts of each." It's a Franken-kart, if you will.<br /><br />Eager to get a closer look at it? Peep the gallery we quickly threw together, or dig around the project's official site. Want to actually play the thing? Says the project manager: "As far as a public beta is concerned, we will not release anything until we are satisfied ..." Either that, or until Nintendo's army of well-paid lawyers shuts the entire project down. <br /><br />[Via <a href="http://gonintendo.com/?p=69974">Go Nintendo</a>]<br /><div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/mario-kart-source/">Mario Kart: Source</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/mario-kart-source/#1311587"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/01/mk-source-68916_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/mario-kart-source/#1311595"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/01/mk-source-69018_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/mario-kart-source/#1311600"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/01/mk-source-69030_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/mario-kart-source/#1311596"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/01/mk-source-69031_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/mario-kart-source/#1311597"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/01/mk-source-babies_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/mario-kart-source-pc-mod-uses-the-best-parts-of-each-mk-game/">Mario Kart: Source PC mod uses 'the best parts of each' MK game</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 21:06:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.moddb.com/mods/mariokart-source>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/mario-kart-source-pc-mod-uses-the-best-parts-of-each-mk-game/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1438035/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/mario-kart-source-pc-mod-uses-the-best-parts-of-each-mk-game/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Mario-Kart</category><category>Mario-Kart-Source</category><category>Source-Engine</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Christopher Grant]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 22 Jan 2009 21:06:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Valve likes the look of Wii]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/valve-likes-the-look-of-wii/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/valve-likes-the-look-of-wii/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/valve-likes-the-look-of-wii/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/interviews/" rel="tag">Interviews</a></p><a href="http://www.videogaming247.com/2008/02/21/gdc-valve-confirms-left-4-dead-left-off-ps3-moots-source-for-wii/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/02/3164654316546.jpg" /></a>Valve's take on the <a href="http://playstation.joystiq.com">PlayStation 3</a> and <a href="http://xbox.joystiq.com">Xbox 360</a>? They're not <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2005/07/25/gabe-newell-not-happy-with-next-gen-consoles/">massively</a> <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/11/valves-gabe-newell-says-ps3-a-waste-of-time/">keen</a>. But what about the Wii? Nintendo's console is rarely mentioned by Valve bods; indeed, it's fair to say that Valve and Nintendo may not seem like an obvious partnership, given the former's reputation as a developer of PC games (and a damn fine one, at that). Then again, marketing director Doug Lombardi seems to think the Wii might be worth investigating. Doug, we totally agree!<br /><br />Chatting to videogaming247.com, Lombardi revealed that Valve would be more likely to develop for the Wii than either of its more powerful rivals, thanks to the fact that "it's growing, there's already a huge user-base, and it's fun." What's more, Lombardi reckons that getting Source (Valve's proprietary 3D game engine) running on the Wii would be realistic: "Source is really scaleable. We can do that."<br /><br />Oh, man. <em>Half-Life 2</em> or <em>Portal</em> with the Wiimote, anybody?<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/valve-likes-the-look-of-wii/">Valve likes the look of Wii</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.videogaming247.com/2008/02/21/gdc-valve-confirms-left-4-dead-left-off-ps3-moots-source-for-wii/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/valve-likes-the-look-of-wii/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1123971/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/valve-likes-the-look-of-wii/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>doug-lombardi</category><category>fps</category><category>half-life</category><category>portal</category><category>source-engine</category><category>valve</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Greenhough]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[HL2: Episode Two delayed till 2007]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/24/hl2-episode-two-delayed-till-2007/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/24/hl2-episode-two-delayed-till-2007/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/24/hl2-episode-two-delayed-till-2007/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ps3/" rel="tag">Sony PlayStation 3</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/xbox360/" rel="tag">Microsoft Xbox 360</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/firstpersonshooters/" rel="tag">First Person Shooters</a></p><a href="http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=66973"><img hspace="4" border="1" align="right" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2006/08/alyx_episode2.jpg" alt="" /></a>Valve Software has been one of the main proponents in the push for episodic gaming, a fact which quickly comes to mind in light of <em>Half-Life 2: Episode Two</em> getting its own push into the future. Releasing <em>Half-Life 2</em> expansion episodes in lieu of <em>Half-Life 3</em> was supposed to curb development time, something which Valve is always struggling to keep on a leash before it wrecks the office and eats all the calendars. Alas, it has run amok once again, causing <em>Episode Two</em> to slip to February 2007. <br />
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In other words, the release gap between the first and second "episodes" has now grown to 8 months. Valve's Doug Lombardi tells <a href="http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=66973">Eurogamer</a> that the delay is simply "classic Valve being overly aggressive on our dates" and that the title will likely end up being a "little longer" than the first title. A further point of consideration is that <em>Episode Two</em> is being developed in conjunction with several <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/23/new-half-life-2-portal-and-team-fortress-vids/">other included games</a> (<em>Portal</em>, <em>Team Fortress 2</em>) and <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/13/half-life-2-confirmed-for-xbox-360-ps3/">console versions</a>. <br />
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Lombardi also states that the extra games will result in a slightly higher price than that of the single <em>Episode One</em> release ($19.99), with the all-inclusive console releases expected to retail at full price. With any luck, this will be the last delay in store for Valve's upcoming release -- otherwise, we'll have to start questioning just how far the word "episodic" can stretch.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/24/hl2-episode-two-delayed-till-2007/">HL2: Episode Two delayed till 2007</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Thu, 24 Aug 2006 15:55:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=66973>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/24/hl2-episode-two-delayed-till-2007/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/658668/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/24/hl2-episode-two-delayed-till-2007/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Episode-2</category><category>FPS</category><category>Half-Life</category><category>Half-Life-2</category><category>Half-Life-2-Episode-2</category><category>PC</category><category>PS3</category><category>Source</category><category>Source-Engine</category><category>Valve</category><category>Valve-Software</category><category>Xbox-360</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ludwig Kietzmann]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 24 Aug 2006 15:55:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Half-Life 2 confirmed for Xbox 360, PS3]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/13/half-life-2-confirmed-for-xbox-360-ps3/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/13/half-life-2-confirmed-for-xbox-360-ps3/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/13/half-life-2-confirmed-for-xbox-360-ps3/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ps3/" rel="tag">Sony PlayStation 3</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/xbox360/" rel="tag">Microsoft Xbox 360</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/firstpersonshooters/" rel="tag">First Person Shooters</a></p><a href="http://www.gamespot.com/news/6153984.html"><img hspace="4" border="1" align="right" vspace="4" alt=""  src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2006/07/half_life2_fakebox.jpg" /></a>Speaking at EA's annual summer press event, Valve's Gabe Newell <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/news/6153984.html">revealed</a> that <em>Half-Life 2</em> would be headed to the Xbox 360 and PS3, bolstered with extra content and presumably, plenty of opportunities to kill people with high velocity toilets. The full console package will be comprised of <em>Half-Life 2</em>, <em>Episode One</em>, <em>Episode Two</em>, <em>Team Fortress 2</em> (it still exists!) and an entirely new title, <em>Portal</em>. <br />
<br />
According to Gamespot, <em>Team Fortress 2</em> now sports a cartoonish art style and a 60's spy feel akin to that of Monolith's <em>No One Lives Forever</em> -- certainly a description you'd never expect to be about a game from Valve. The developer is also trying new things with <em>Portal</em>, which incorporates a rather imaginative gun and encourages you to blast <em>Prey</em>-like portals into floors and walls for all manner of object shifting, puzzle solving hijinx. <br />
<br />
The console versions of <em>Half-Life 2</em> (along with all the extra goodies) are expected to launch alongside the PC game's second episodic expansion. Barring unforeseen code thefts and other delays, that means they'll be out by the end of the year.<br />
<br />
[Thanks Easy_G and icemorebutts!]<br />
<br />
<strong>Previously:</strong> <br />
<ul>
    <li><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/10/internet-survey-lists-half-life-2-for-xbox-360/">Internet survey lists Half-Life 2 for Xbox 360</a></li>
</ul><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/13/half-life-2-confirmed-for-xbox-360-ps3/">Half-Life 2 confirmed for Xbox 360, PS3</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Thu, 13 Jul 2006 21:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6153984.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/13/half-life-2-confirmed-for-xbox-360-ps3/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/642803/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/13/half-life-2-confirmed-for-xbox-360-ps3/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>EA</category><category>Electronic-Arts</category><category>FPS</category><category>Half-Life-2</category><category>Half-Life-2-Episode-1</category><category>Half-Life-2-Episode-2</category><category>Microsoft</category><category>PC</category><category>Portal</category><category>PS3</category><category>source</category><category>source-engine</category><category>Team-Fortress-2</category><category>Valve</category><category>Valve-Software</category><category>Xbox-360</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ludwig Kietzmann]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 13 Jul 2006 21:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Half-Life 2: Episodes Two and Three confirmed]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/25/half-life-2-episode-3-due-next-year/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/25/half-life-2-episode-3-due-next-year/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/25/half-life-2-episode-3-due-next-year/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/xbox360/" rel="tag">Microsoft Xbox 360</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/action/" rel="tag">Action</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/firstpersonshooters/" rel="tag">First Person Shooters</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/business/" rel="tag">Business</a></p><a href="http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=65110"><img hspace="4" border="0" align="top" vspace="4" alt="Half-Life 2: Episodes 2-3" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2006/05/HL2_episodes2-3.jpg" /></a><br />
As we wait patiently for next week's release of <em>Half-Life 2: Episode One</em>, Valve has confirmed that <em>Episode Two</em> will ship by the end of the year, and will be the subject of a sneak peek included with the first expansion. Meanwhile, <em>Episode Three</em> is already in development and has been confirmed for a late 2007 release.<br />
<br />
How many of you have purchased <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/06/sin-preloading-on-steam-retail-drops-5-9/"><em>SiN Episodes: Emergence</em></a>, or BioWare's <em>Neverwinter Nights</em> premium modules? What other franchises would you like to see deliver episodic content?<br />
<br />
See also: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/07/hl2-episode-one-site-is-up-with-plot-details/"><em>HL2: Episode One</em> site is up, with plot details</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/18/half-life-2-storyline-cheat-sheet/"><em>Half-Life 2</em> storyline cheat sheet</a><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/25/half-life-2-episode-3-due-next-year/">Half-Life 2: Episodes Two and Three confirmed</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Thu, 25 May 2006 20:25:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=65110>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/25/half-life-2-episode-3-due-next-year/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/622019/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/25/half-life-2-episode-3-due-next-year/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>dlc</category><category>episode-two</category><category>fps</category><category>half-life</category><category>half-life 2</category><category>half-life-2</category><category>half-life-2-episode-1</category><category>half-life-2-episode-2</category><category>half-life-2-episode-3</category><category>half-life-2-episode-two</category><category>Microsoft</category><category>PC</category><category>source</category><category>source-engine</category><category>valve</category><category>valve-software</category><category>Xbox-360</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Alan Rose]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 25 May 2006 20:25:00 EST</pubDate></item></channel></rss>