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Half-Life 2 - Episode One Interview

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the alyx-vance-on-line-one-for-you-sir dept.

John Callaham writes "On the eve of its release, Valve's Doug Lombardi tells FiringSquad why Half-Life 2 Episode One, their first chapter in their episodic first-person shooter, will be worth the $20." From the article: "From the creation standpoint, it's much easier to develop the story and plot via Episodic releases, as the focus is tighter by default. And since each of the HL2 Episodes are being created by a single development team, the story flow will be more cohesive as it's the work of a single body and not the collaboration of separate teams attempting to merge the different chapters after years of working separately. We are, however, keeping a very close eye on the overall story flow as we advance folks from City 17 to the adventures that lie outside the City in Episodes Two and Three."

24 comments

  1. Alternative article by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    On the eve of its release, Valve's Doug Lombardi tells BusinessWeek why Half-Life 2 Episode One, their first chapter in their episodic first-person shooter, will be worth the $20." From the article: "From the sales standpoint, it's much easier to sell a story and plot via Episodic releases, as the financial returns are higher by default.

  2. Re:i don't think so by pxuongl · · Score: 1

    wah wah wah... and how's your genre changing, mind blowing, world peace creating first person shooter coming along?

  3. Re:i don't think so by hal9000(jr) · · Score: 1

    So I have to disagree that HL2 was a dog. I really enjoyed it, especially Ravenholm which was rilly, rilly, creepy.

    It definelty had that parallel developmen feel to it though. I am not sure that I will be going out and getting the Eisodes yet though. I want to see some reviews first to see if it is worth it.

    What I would love to see are more challenges to solve other than finding obscure wheels to turn. Drop clues that have to be remembered, something.

  4. Re:i don't think so by LifeNLiberty · · Score: 0

    If you think that about HL2 you must've just played Lost Coast (which IS a technology demonstrator). The REAL HL2 story and game were amazing, and it remains alongside HL1 the only single player game I will still play through after beating about 5 times.

  5. Re:i don't think so by mynameisnotnick · · Score: 1

    whatever you say, Mr. Carmack

    -gary

  6. Aww... by Dr.+Eggman · · Score: 1

    No listing for Team Fortress 2 among their future plans. Atleast I still have DNF to look forward to.

    --
    Demented But Determined.
    1. Re:Aww... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They probably are waiting for the community to do the work for them.

  7. Well worth a try by G3ckoG33k · · Score: 1

    Well worth a try. A shorter release cycle for a popular game is good. Four years or more?! Agony...

  8. HL2DM?! by Jett · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The one question on this subject was not answered. Instead he talked about CSS and DOD:S - Why has Valve seemingly abandoned HL2DM? It's one of my favorite multiplayer games, it's really well balanced and has some great maps - instead of putting a little effort into promoting it and fixing outstanding bugs they completely ignore it and act like it doesn't exist, even when explicitly asked about it!

  9. Yes, and no by phorm · · Score: 4, Insightful

    HL2 was a very complete game in itself, but in the end, obviously, it was left hanging. The alternative to sequel episode therefore would have been to piss a lot of people off by leaving it hanging, or to release a full game (full price).

    So instead we have episodes. At $20, well, that's about between 1/4 and 1/2 the price of a normal game.

    What is good about this is that it encourages quality. Why? Because if an episode sucks incredibly, nobody will buy the next one. Therefore, in order to sell future episodes, the existing ones have to not suck.

    1. Re:Yes, and no by Turn-X+Alphonse · · Score: 4, Insightful

      But it could also go the other way completely.

      Rather than making an ending which is exactly "continued next episode" as a lot of HL2s episodes do, they'll have to make each episode end with an uber climax or a cliff hanger. That way people will buy to get the next part of the story.

      Also people who like the way a game went will stay quiet, they have no reason to scream and shout bloody murder, where as people who didn't like it will go batshit loopy to whine and complain. That means the developers will go for this group instead of the real fans.

      Also people forget games need "weak chapters". HL2 has some really slow "boring" bits, which you take your time and only get a handful of battles. Episodes just can't do this. It doesn't quite work if half the game is slowed down. People will go "ZOMG IT SUCKS!! IT WAS SO SLOW!!" and whine.

      Teams will get feed back as they work. If a bunch of idiots trash the game majorly it could rape morale. That way the team goes "screw it, why even bother? They'll whine no matter what. Lets have extra time off and just rush it out the door".

      Final reason. You get episodes 1-4, but 4 doesn't sell very well at all. So they discontinue the series. Who's fucked then?

      Episodes have upsides but they also have major downsides. They're great for whiny little kids who want quick fixs, but they're bad for real fans who want to explore and enjoy the game for what it is.

      --
      I like muppets.
    2. Re:Yes, and no by Kazzahdrane · · Score: 1

      "Episodes have upsides but they also have major downsides. They're great for whiny little kids who want quick fixs, but they're bad for real fans who want to explore and enjoy the game for what it is."

      How about we wait until the game is actually out and reviewed before making sweeping statements like that? Considering episodic content is still very much in its infancy I think it's a little naive to make that sort of comment. After waiting years for Half-Life 2 and loving every minute of it when I finally got to play it, and loving the multiplayer-jewel that is DoD: Source, I trust Valve. I can't wait for Episode One to be unlocked tomorrow so I can get back into that HEV suit.

    3. Re:Yes, and no by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      i agree, but DoD was not created by valve

    4. Re:Yes, and no by YojimboJango · · Score: 1

      I think this is a good thing for the gaming community as a whole, and wish more people would do things like it. By dividing it up you (should) accomplish 3 things.
      1. A balanced and stable game engine. In this case HL2. It was a good engine filled with fun extras like throwing things around and it came with a good game.
      2. Plot. The seccond installment can't get by on the "OMG LOOKIT TEH PRETTIES!!!" It's already been done. If you plan to sell a game the seccond time it's gotta have good gameplay and good plot or no one will buy it. Period.
      3. Speed. You've got your developers used to how to write a good story and build good clean maps with the engine. By the third episode they'll be able to crank out quality encounters at a mile a minute, and have the feedback from the other episodes about what the fans liked and what fell flat.

      It all boils down to a LACK of advanced cutting edge graphics, and the focus on actual gameplay and story or the games will fail. In my oppion that's as it should be.

    5. Re:Yes, and no by Kazzahdrane · · Score: 1

      DoD: Source, try reading before you "correct" people.

    6. Re:Yes, and no by phorm · · Score: 1

      Final reason. You get episodes 1-4, but 4 doesn't sell very well at all. So they discontinue the series. Who's fucked then?

      The same people that would have been screwed if they bought a full game that didn't offer a sequel. For example, see "Nocturne" (althought according to WikiPedia BloodRayne is somewhat of a sequel). There's nothing about full games with a cliffhanger ending that guarantees succession anymore than episodes. In fact, since it likely takes more money to make an entirely new game... you'll have better luck with the episode.

  10. Warez It by scenestar · · Score: 1, Troll

    Now way in hell I'm spending one fucking dime on "episodic" crap.

    Gimme a goddamn full version.

    Shareware died a decade ago.

    --
    perpetually dwelling in the -1 pits
    1. Re:Warez It by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This isn't shareware, it's an expansion pack.

      You really are all worked up about nothing, aren't you.

  11. Eh? by billybob · · Score: 1

    I dunno, man, DM just seemed like something they threw together for a bit of fun, but it's nothing special at all... I mean, whoopee, I have a gravity gun and I can throw grates at other players... not exciting in my opinion. :)

    --
    Joseph?
  12. Smoking something good? by billybob · · Score: 1

    Jeez, what are you talking about? HL2 was given top marks by tons of magazines, web sites, and players all around. You can't please everyone but it's pretty much unanimous that HL2 was one of the best games of all time. It's the best single player FPS ever created IMO... :P

    --
    Joseph?
    1. Re:Smoking something good? by timothv · · Score: 1

      Clearly you haven't played Deus Ex or System Shock 2...

  13. Episodic games have precedents in other media by tepples · · Score: 1

    Now way in hell I'm spending one intercoursing dime on "episodic" crap.

    Would you rather have waited until all episodes of The Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter or Star Wars or any other episodic film are released before you can watch any of them? And let me guess: you watch TV only from DVD box sets, not from broadcasts, right?

  14. I played Deus Ex by billybob · · Score: 1

    Deus Ex is definitely up there was one of hte best FPS games, but I still think HL2 kicks its ass :)

    Never played SS2, but I always hear good things about it. I will have to check it out eventually.

    --
    Joseph?