The game we've been waiting for is almost here. Not.

I know this is sort of old news (about a month give or take), but Marketing Director Doug Lombardi, stated that they have been heavily focused on Left 4 Dead, causing Half Life to be pushed behind...A year or two, to around 2010. I know everyone is excited for L4D, and they even spent 10 million on marketing for it, but I think their top priority should be HL2:3. What are your thoughts? The game may be officially revealed at the end of this year, and I'm sure everyone hopes so.

The game is supposed to wrap up the current story arc, and this brings up the question, will there be a Half Life 3? Or will Episode 3 wrap up Gordon's story all together?

And so finally, what do you want from Episode 3, what do you expect, and what are your hopes from the game?

Post any new info on the game here.

I'm expecting more Grav Gun/crowbar action. I'm really hoping for another achievement like in Episode 1 where you don't use any bullets, that was fun.

My theory as far as story goes is

To be fair, I think their top priority be Half Life 3, enough with these overpriced episodes, put another year or two into development and release a full game instead.

CosmicStorms:
To be fair, I think their top priority be Half Life 3, enough with these overpriced episodes, put another year or two into development and release a full game instead.

To be equally fair, it took 6 years to develop HL2, not even counting the episodes. I'd rather the episodes then that long a wait.

It should definitely be a priority over anything else. I don't know what to expect from story, but I'd at least want one more weapon.

And I'm not gonna say why cause I don't know how to make the whole "spoiler" thing, but I'm expecting Alyx to be a slightly darker character this time around...

EDIT: As for a potential weapon, since it takes place in an artic area and on a ship (or so I assume) they could have a flare gun. It's nothing that hasn't been done before, but it'd only be fair since the combine have them. Plus, can you imagine how fun that'd be? Lighting up headcrab zombies and enemy soldiers with the pull of a trigger? =D

TylerC:
The game we've been waiting for is almost here. Not.

I don't like you now.

I think you can't just call something "Official", unless one of the mods said you could.
Official threads are made by mods usually.

Anyway I don't think its a good idea to guess about the story, lack of info and all that.

TheGhostOfSin:

TylerC:
The game we've been waiting for is almost here. Not.

I don't like you now.

Hahaha, I'm sorry, I couldn't resist doing that.

ZeroMachine:
It should definitely be a priority over anything else. I don't know what to expect from story, but I'd at least want one more weapon.

And I'm not gonna say why cause I don't know how to make the whole "spoiler" thing, but I'm expecting Alyx to be a slightly darker character this time around...

EDIT: As for a potential weapon, since it takes place in an artic area and on a ship (or so I assume) they could have a flare gun. It's nothing that hasn't been done before, but it'd only be fair since the combine have them. Plus, can you imagine how fun that'd be? Lighting up headcrab zombies and enemy soldiers with the pull of a trigger? =D

Yeah, more weapons would be nice.

Well if the mod Missing Information is anything to go by then we should see a flare gun and a fire extinguisher. Missing Inforamtion is a mod that was designed around the leaked Beta of HL2 that a hacker stole, this includes the original E3 levels and other cut areas.

The issue that I have with Missing Information et al is that it has the Borealis. This means that they've had at least a rough story and hence design of HL2 and episodes since 2003 so I have no idea why it has taken them so long to make the episodes.

What is everyone else's opinion on the matter? Have you played Missing Information, did you like it and what are your thoughts on what I've said about it existing since 2003?

Wow. You took it too far with that "not" of yours TylerC, just too far.

Looking forward to the apocalypse? Because that's probably going to come first.
Not gonna touch that mod. maybe because it was illegitimately gained material/info.

Aren't we all missing the point here? I mean, HL2: Episode 3 thread and no discussion about the fact that it has been over a year since Episode 2 came out. I love Valve and I've bought just about everything they've ever made. But seriously, it's not like they have to develop new tech for Episode 3. What is going on here?

Dr Spaceman:
Aren't we all missing the point here? I mean, HL2: Episode 3 thread and no discussion about the fact that it has been over a year since Episode 2 came out. I love Valve and I've bought just about everything they've ever made. But seriously, it's not like they have to develop new tech for Episode 3. What is going on here?

They decided to focus on L4D and get that out the door. It has been mentioned in this thread already. In the OP, no less.

the_tramp:
The issue that I have with Missing Information et al is that it has the Borealis. This means that they've had at least a rough story and hence design of HL2 and episodes since 2003 so I have no idea why it has taken them so long to make the episodes.

The storyline of HL2 underwent a lot of changes following the source code theft. Originally, the Borealis was going to be part of HL2; a lot more of HL2 was going to take place outside of City 17. I think this stuff is all in Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar.

I'm hoping it will be here before the end of 2009, but if it doesn't, I'll be able to survive. I would definitely like a new weapon that I can carry around with me (not something that can only be used at specific points, like the Magnusson Device), and I would really like to see Barney again. If Adrian Shepard shows his face, I'll shit a brick in excitement.

http://games.kikizo.com/features/valve-doug-lombardi-left-4-dead-interview-p3.asp

Kikizo: Won't you announce or show anything on Episode 3 this year?

Lombardi: We may at the very end of the year.

Written October 13, 2008

orannis62:

CosmicStorms:
To be fair, I think their top priority be Half Life 3, enough with these overpriced episodes, put another year or two into development and release a full game instead.

To be equally fair, it took 6 years to develop HL2, not even counting the episodes. I'd rather the episodes then that long a wait.

To be just as equal and fair (sorry, I couldn't resist), doesn't that mean that in addition to the waiting between episodes, we might have to wait six more years between the end of the last episode and the release of Half-Life 3?

Regarding the story, it seems like Episode 1 and 2 have given the sense that all of this is leading up to something big. Is it all leading up to Episode 3, or will ep 3 be the same as 1 and 2 were and together the they exist as a prelude to Half-Life 3?

Anyway, all I'm really hoping for out of the plot is for them to throw us a bone with regards to the G-Man. Don't reveal all of his secrets, but at the very least give us some kind of clue instead of the same enigmatic B.S. that people read way too much into.

mspencer82:

To be just as equal and fair (sorry, I couldn't resist), doesn't that mean that in addition to the waiting between episodes, we might have to wait six more years between the end of the last episode and the release of Half-Life 3?

Nope. They've already said time and time again (and is even said once in the article that I posted one post above yours) that they will not do that again, because it's just too expensive.

I'm just psyched to hear of any kind of news about it. last summer I got HL2, then promptly got the Orange Box and have been waiting VERY VERY PATIENTLY ever since i finished Episode 2. Dammit, Doug Lombardi, gimme some information or something!

I agree I hope they give us some information about EP 3. Truthfully I am actually more excited about Black Mesa: Source Though.

If anything I want to see where they use their composed music.

Rankao:
I agree I hope they give us some information about EP 3. Truthfully I am actually more excited about Black Mesa: Source Though.

Huh? What's that?

gmer412:

Rankao:
I agree I hope they give us some information about EP 3. Truthfully I am actually more excited about Black Mesa: Source Though.

Huh? What's that?

http://www.blackmesasource.com/

Half-life 1 remade with the source engine.

Although it's just Black Mesa, not Black Mesa: Source anymore.. Valve had a fit.

I do expect to see soemthing at E3 this year, a trailer at the very least. But that's about it.

mspencer82:
[snip]
To be just as equal and fair (sorry, I couldn't resist), doesn't that mean that in addition to the waiting between episodes, we might have to wait six more years between the end of the last episode and the release of Half-Life 3?

[snip]
Anyway, all I'm really hoping for out of the plot is for them to throw us a bone with regards to the G-Man. Don't reveal all of his secrets, but at the very least give us some kind of clue instead of the same enigmatic B.S. that people read way too much into.

To the first part, not if they do it episodically, which IMO is why the episodes are good. To the second, I agree.

Good morning blues:
If Adrian Shepard shows his face, I'll shit a brick in excitement.

You and me both, man. A while ago during a random thought I suddenly got the feeling that when Gordon makes it to the Borealis that Shepard will just be there. You just have to figure that the G-Man brought Shepard out of his little cage during this entire uprising to satisfy some other goal of his.

Vanguard1219:

Good morning blues:
If Adrian Shepard shows his face, I'll shit a brick in excitement.

You and me both, man. A while ago during a random thought I suddenly got the feeling that when Gordon makes it to the Borealis that Shepard will just be there. You just have to figure that the G-Man brought Shepard out of his little cage during this entire uprising to satisfy some other goal of his.

And Chelle from Portal will be there too!! Seriously, they made a point of telling us she's from the HL universe, so she has to make at least some appearance.

You know Chelle is one of the few Half-life 2 characters who as we know to this point. Hasn't had G-man influenced yet.

I would like for that game to focus more on the crowbar than the gravity gun. Also, I want uber Gravity gun back.

Rankao:
You know Chelle is one of the few Half-life 2 characters who as we know to this point. Hasn't had G-man influenced yet.

I don't think we will see Chelle, and I certiantly hope we don't. I also don't want the portal gun.

the monopoly guy:

Rankao:
You know Chelle is one of the few Half-life 2 characters who as we know to this point. Hasn't had G-man influenced yet.

I don't think we will see Chelle, and I certiantly hope we don't. I also don't want the portal gun.

I think they are two independent stories and in the same universe and thats likely all it will be.

Rankao:

the monopoly guy:

Rankao:
You know Chelle is one of the few Half-life 2 characters who as we know to this point. Hasn't had G-man influenced yet.

I don't think we will see Chelle, and I certiantly hope we don't. I also don't want the portal gun.

I think they are two independent stories and in the same universe and thats likely all it will be.

Actually, they're obviously related in some way. The Borealis was made by Aperture Science. Plus, I think that the Combine took Aperture Science's technology and modified it so they wouldn't have to localize as much of their own technology. Think about it...
1. The energy orbs are EXACTLY the same in both the Aperture Science areas and in the Combine Citadel.
2. The Aperture and Combine turrets sound and act exactly the same, the Combine just took the cute out of them.
3. The Combine overwatch (the AI that speaks to the soldiers) is voiced by Ellen Mclain, the voice of GLaDOS.

That can't all be Valve being lazy to come up with newer things.

ZeroMachine:

Rankao:

the monopoly guy:

Rankao:
You know Chelle is one of the few Half-life 2 characters who as we know to this point. Hasn't had G-man influenced yet.

I don't think we will see Chelle, and I certiantly hope we don't. I also don't want the portal gun.

I think they are two independent stories and in the same universe and thats likely all it will be.

Actually, they're obviously related in some way. The Borealis was made by Aperture Science. Plus, I think that the Combine took Aperture Science's technology and modified it so they wouldn't have to localize as much of their own technology. Think about it...
1. The energy orbs are EXACTLY the same in both the Aperture Science areas and in the Combine Citadel.
2. The Aperture and Combine turrets sound and act exactly the same, the Combine just took the cute out of them.
3. The Combine overwatch (the AI that speaks to the soldiers) is voiced by Ellen Mclain, the voice of GLaDOS.

That can't all be Valve being lazy to come up with newer things.

Ellen Mclain is also in Team Fortress 2? Does that mean its related to Half-life universe? #3 is definitely not a good enough argument.

I will give you some points for 1 and 2, but then again I take away points for pointing out that it could very well Valve being lazy (by saying its not).

I vote for the Valve being lazy because if you ever take a programming class the
#1 rule is: Be as lazy as you can.

Rankao:

ZeroMachine:

Rankao:

the monopoly guy:

Rankao:
You know Chelle is one of the few Half-life 2 characters who as we know to this point. Hasn't had G-man influenced yet.

I don't think we will see Chelle, and I certiantly hope we don't. I also don't want the portal gun.

I think they are two independent stories and in the same universe and thats likely all it will be.

Actually, they're obviously related in some way. The Borealis was made by Aperture Science. Plus, I think that the Combine took Aperture Science's technology and modified it so they wouldn't have to localize as much of their own technology. Think about it...
1. The energy orbs are EXACTLY the same in both the Aperture Science areas and in the Combine Citadel.
2. The Aperture and Combine turrets sound and act exactly the same, the Combine just took the cute out of them.
3. The Combine overwatch (the AI that speaks to the soldiers) is voiced by Ellen Mclain, the voice of GLaDOS.

That can't all be Valve being lazy to come up with newer things.

Ellen Mclain is also in Team Fortress 2? Does that mean its related to Half-life universe? #3 is definitely not a good enough argument.

I will give you some points for 1 and 2, but then again I take away points for pointing out that it could very well Valve being lazy (by saying its not).

I vote for the Valve being lazy because if you ever take a programming class the
#1 rule is: Be as lazy as you can.

Although I see your point about the laziness, I'm sorry but your point about Ellen isn't really a good one. Yeah, she did a voice in TF2, but we already KNOW that Portal and Half Life take place in the same universe.

Again, it's all speculation, but I think there are just to many similarities. Then again... I LOVE stuff like this (random connections and twists) so maybe I'm just doing some wishful thinking here =P

mspencer82:

orannis62:

CosmicStorms:
To be fair, I think their top priority be Half Life 3, enough with these overpriced episodes, put another year or two into development and release a full game instead.

To be equally fair, it took 6 years to develop HL2, not even counting the episodes. I'd rather the episodes then that long a wait.

To be just as equal and fair (sorry, I couldn't resist), doesn't that mean that in addition to the waiting between episodes, we might have to wait six more years between the end of the last episode and the release of Half-Life 3?

Regarding the story, it seems like Episode 1 and 2 have given the sense that all of this is leading up to something big. Is it all leading up to Episode 3, or will ep 3 be the same as 1 and 2 were and together the they exist as a prelude to Half-Life 3?

Anyway, all I'm really hoping for out of the plot is for them to throw us a bone with regards to the G-Man. Don't reveal all of his secrets, but at the very least give us some kind of clue instead of the same enigmatic B.S. that people read way too much into.

The only reason half life 2 took 6 years to develop is the fact that they had to develop the source engine. That and the fact that Valve's dev process, while thorough, is really inefficient.

I think that half life 2 episode 3 will have something to do with conquering the combine and/or zen, and Half Life 3 will be the revealing and defeat of the g-man, which will be humorously ended by sending Gordon Freeman all the way back to his application to black mesa.

Valve needs to begin expanding as soon as the world gets out of this depression. The demand for their games is huge, and if they're not big enough soon, they'll be bought out by some stomper of creativity like EA.

Every Valve game I've ever purchased, I've enjoyed. Aren't they making enough money to hire more people to churn out these fun, original games faster?

The problem with Valve is they're too perfectionist. It's not that bad a quality, considering the general greatness their games possess, it just gets in the way of the players. The major reason TF2's not been getting more frequent updates recently is because they spent a full month refining Left 4 Dead, and even then they spend several weeks on the character updates to make sure the weapons are balanced and everything.

It's only safe to assume that they're just as flawless about the Half Life series too, considering its their staple series.

runtheplacered:

gmer412:

Rankao:
I agree I hope they give us some information about EP 3. Truthfully I am actually more excited about Black Mesa: Source Though.

Huh? What's that?

http://www.blackmesasource.com/

Half-life 1 remade with the source engine.

Although it's just Black Mesa, not Black Mesa: Source anymore.. Valve had a fit.

Isn't there already a Half Life: Source? Well, there has to be. I have it. It came with one of the bundles Valve had on Steam. What gives?