The first trailer for HBO's "The Last of Us" series was released today as a self-indulgent celebration of "The Last of Us Day," which commemorates the day the in-universe Cordyceps fungal infection took over the world. Grim? Maybe, but for fans of the game, there's plenty of exciting surprises and details in the trailer to savor on until the show releases next year.
A large cast of famous actors are portraying the game's many characters, from Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey playing Joel and Ellie all the way to Nick Offerman as Bill. But one actress has a striking resemblance to her character in the original game, and that's because she is the character in the original game.
Merle Dandrige, the original mo-capped voice actress who portrayed Marlene in "The Last of Us" games is returning to reprise her role in the live-action series. While this was announced a while ago,...
A large cast of famous actors are portraying the game's many characters, from Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey playing Joel and Ellie all the way to Nick Offerman as Bill. But one actress has a striking resemblance to her character in the original game, and that's because she is the character in the original game.
Merle Dandrige, the original mo-capped voice actress who portrayed Marlene in "The Last of Us" games is returning to reprise her role in the live-action series. While this was announced a while ago,...
- 9/26/2022
- by Tyler Llewyn Taing
- Slash Film
Popular streamer Ninja has pitched a Ninja-themed skin for Fall Guys, the party game phenomenon that’s taken the world by storm since it launched earlier this year. Ninja pitched the skin as part of a contest being held by Mediatonic, the game’s developer, to benefit UK charity Special Effect. At one point, Ninja was in the lead to win the contest with a bid of a $200,000 donation before being outbid by G2 Esports.
Ninja revealed the skin on Twitter:
I raise the bid to $200,000 in support of the charity @SpecialEffect this bad boy would look pretty clean too https://t.co/W7wCkcoHip pic.twitter.com/X2xsj8DLSP
— Ninja (@Ninja) August 18, 2020
The skin was actually designed by Twitter user @Astroioxy, who has now received a hell of a signal boost from the streamer.
The contest is also open to game studios and other brands looking to...
Ninja revealed the skin on Twitter:
I raise the bid to $200,000 in support of the charity @SpecialEffect this bad boy would look pretty clean too https://t.co/W7wCkcoHip pic.twitter.com/X2xsj8DLSP
— Ninja (@Ninja) August 18, 2020
The skin was actually designed by Twitter user @Astroioxy, who has now received a hell of a signal boost from the streamer.
The contest is also open to game studios and other brands looking to...
- 8/18/2020
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
This article is part of our History of PC Gaming series. Read all of the articles here.
When famed PC game studio Valve set out to work on the first Half-Life in 1996, the team that would change the first-person shooter genre forever was mostly made up of amateur modders who’d cut their teeth on the Quake engine. The studio itself was self-funded by former Microsoft Windows designers Gabe Newell and Mike Harrington, a gamble that as you know paid off tremendously.
Many stories have already been written about Valve’s ascension from indie PC developer to the Aaa juggernaut that created Steam. Noclip’s documentary about how the Half-Life games influenced so many other developers, early esports pros, modders, and fans is a particularly thrilling chronicle of Valve’s story.
But one part of Half-Life‘s history that is sometimes overlooked is the role played by the performers who...
When famed PC game studio Valve set out to work on the first Half-Life in 1996, the team that would change the first-person shooter genre forever was mostly made up of amateur modders who’d cut their teeth on the Quake engine. The studio itself was self-funded by former Microsoft Windows designers Gabe Newell and Mike Harrington, a gamble that as you know paid off tremendously.
Many stories have already been written about Valve’s ascension from indie PC developer to the Aaa juggernaut that created Steam. Noclip’s documentary about how the Half-Life games influenced so many other developers, early esports pros, modders, and fans is a particularly thrilling chronicle of Valve’s story.
But one part of Half-Life‘s history that is sometimes overlooked is the role played by the performers who...
- 3/27/2020
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
The holy grail of video games may actually be more than just a myth after all.
Having become something of a meme synonymous with vaporware over the last several years, Half-Life 3 has frequently been hinted at by developer Valve, though now, more than a decade on from Half-Life 2: Episode Two‘s release, it appears the series creator would rather do absolutely anything other than attempt to provide a worthwhile sequel to a game often considered to be one of the best ever made.
Last year, it seemed as if fan fortunes had finally changed, following rumours that a new Half-Life title was to be imminently announced. The hearsay turned out to be completely true, of course, though in place of a threequel, Valve announced spinoff Vr experience, Half-Life: Alyx. Starring Gordon Freeman’s trusted friend and ally Alyx Vance, the first-person shooter serves as a prequel to the main franchise and,...
Having become something of a meme synonymous with vaporware over the last several years, Half-Life 3 has frequently been hinted at by developer Valve, though now, more than a decade on from Half-Life 2: Episode Two‘s release, it appears the series creator would rather do absolutely anything other than attempt to provide a worthwhile sequel to a game often considered to be one of the best ever made.
Last year, it seemed as if fan fortunes had finally changed, following rumours that a new Half-Life title was to be imminently announced. The hearsay turned out to be completely true, of course, though in place of a threequel, Valve announced spinoff Vr experience, Half-Life: Alyx. Starring Gordon Freeman’s trusted friend and ally Alyx Vance, the first-person shooter serves as a prequel to the main franchise and,...
- 3/25/2020
- by Joe Pring
- We Got This Covered
This Half-Life article contains spoilers.
It seemed like this day would never come. A new Half-Life game has been released by Valve, 13 years after the last installment, Half-Life 2: Episode 2, ended on a grim cliffhanger, with no sign that the story would ever be completed.
Half-Life: Alyx isn’t exactly the sequel you were waiting for, but it’s nonetheless a fascinating look into what will likely be the future of the franchise. The Vr game is set after the first Half-Life but five years before the events of Half-Life 2. Fan-favorite Alyx Vance has already joined the fight against the Combine invaders in City 17, and when her father, the scientist Eli Vance, is captured by the enemy, the young hero springs into action and sets out on a mission to rescue him.
But as the story unfolds, all roads lead to a much bigger mystery that has huge implications...
It seemed like this day would never come. A new Half-Life game has been released by Valve, 13 years after the last installment, Half-Life 2: Episode 2, ended on a grim cliffhanger, with no sign that the story would ever be completed.
Half-Life: Alyx isn’t exactly the sequel you were waiting for, but it’s nonetheless a fascinating look into what will likely be the future of the franchise. The Vr game is set after the first Half-Life but five years before the events of Half-Life 2. Fan-favorite Alyx Vance has already joined the fight against the Combine invaders in City 17, and when her father, the scientist Eli Vance, is captured by the enemy, the young hero springs into action and sets out on a mission to rescue him.
But as the story unfolds, all roads lead to a much bigger mystery that has huge implications...
- 3/23/2020
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
With Half-Life: Alyx out this month, fans are getting the first installment in the series since 2007. But the new Vr title from Valve isn’t the Half-Life 2: Episode 3 that fans have been asking for since the studio went quiet on the series more than a decade ago. Alyx is an interquel set between the first Half-Life and Half-Life 2 that tells the story of what the titular hero was up to before Gordon Freeman arrived in City 17. While you may be disappointed that this isn’t exactly Half-Life 3, Valve developers Chris Remo and Robin Walker have told IGN that, hopefully, Alyx will lead to more Half-Life games in the near future.
“Hopefully everyone likes the game, and they want more of it,” Walker said, suggesting that a positive reaction from fans will mean that Valve can make more Half-Life games and sooner than the last one. “I hope we...
“Hopefully everyone likes the game, and they want more of it,” Walker said, suggesting that a positive reaction from fans will mean that Valve can make more Half-Life games and sooner than the last one. “I hope we...
- 3/5/2020
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
It’s been 12 years since the last Half-Life game was released in 2007, and just when fans of the iconic franchise seemed to have lost all hope that Valve would ever continue the series, the company took to Twitter to announce a new installment. Half-Life: Alyx has been revealed as the studio’s “flagship” virtual reality game.
The title is an interquel set between the events of the first Half-Life and Half-Life 2, following Alyx’s life before Gordon Freeman arrived in City 17. Alyx is on a mission to save her father, the scientist Eli Vance, who’s been kidnapped by the evil Combine.
The game will feature a new weapon inspired by the series’ Gravity Gun called “Grabbity Gloves,” which allows you to pull items in the environment towards you. You’ll also have a handy pistol for dispatching Combine soldiers and headcrab zombies. Judging from the gameplay footage thus far,...
The title is an interquel set between the events of the first Half-Life and Half-Life 2, following Alyx’s life before Gordon Freeman arrived in City 17. Alyx is on a mission to save her father, the scientist Eli Vance, who’s been kidnapped by the evil Combine.
The game will feature a new weapon inspired by the series’ Gravity Gun called “Grabbity Gloves,” which allows you to pull items in the environment towards you. You’ll also have a handy pistol for dispatching Combine soldiers and headcrab zombies. Judging from the gameplay footage thus far,...
- 3/4/2020
- by jbindeck2015
- Den of Geek
Matthew Byrd Feb 12, 2020
Half-Life is one of the most important games of all-time, but you may not know about all the ways that it changed things.
This article is part of our History of PC Gaming series.
When released in 1998, Half-Life was so ahead of its time that it actually rarely gets credit for all of the innovations it introduced to the shooter genre and gaming as a whole. Things like scripted story sequences that play out without cutscenes have long been associated with Half-Life, but there's more to Valve's PC shooter than just its game-changing approach to storytelling. From grenade throwing to mods, Half-Life changed how you play video games in ways that you may not even realize.
In terms of impact on PC gaming, Half-Life stands as one of the most important titles ever released. Valve's PC shooter is not only one of the titles that defined...
Half-Life is one of the most important games of all-time, but you may not know about all the ways that it changed things.
This article is part of our History of PC Gaming series.
When released in 1998, Half-Life was so ahead of its time that it actually rarely gets credit for all of the innovations it introduced to the shooter genre and gaming as a whole. Things like scripted story sequences that play out without cutscenes have long been associated with Half-Life, but there's more to Valve's PC shooter than just its game-changing approach to storytelling. From grenade throwing to mods, Half-Life changed how you play video games in ways that you may not even realize.
In terms of impact on PC gaming, Half-Life stands as one of the most important titles ever released. Valve's PC shooter is not only one of the titles that defined...
- 1/27/2020
- Den of Geek
After the official unveiling and debut trailer for Half-Life: Alyx made the rounds, gamers from all over began wondering if famed developer Valve was working on any other passion projects. After the release of The Orange Box back in 2007, the Seattle-based studio was propelled into the spotlight as fans anxiously awaited followups to Half-Life 2: Episode Two and Portal. The latter eventually got a critically acclaimed sequel in 2011, and while we might never see a proper conclusion to Gordon Freeman’s fight against the Combine, Half-Life Alyx is poised to set a new standard for Aaa virtual reality games.
Unfortunately, fans of Left 4 Dead have been, well, left for dead. Aside from a Japanese-exclusive arcade game, there’s been no proper entry in the series for over a decade. However, rumors surrounding Left 4 Dead 3 began to surface in 2019, and the last few days have seen a handful of new reports...
Unfortunately, fans of Left 4 Dead have been, well, left for dead. Aside from a Japanese-exclusive arcade game, there’s been no proper entry in the series for over a decade. However, rumors surrounding Left 4 Dead 3 began to surface in 2019, and the last few days have seen a handful of new reports...
- 1/17/2020
- by Shaan Joshi
- We Got This Covered
John Saavedra Nov 21, 2019
Half-Life is finally back, but not the way you expected. Here's everything you need to know about the Valve Vr game, Half-Life: Alyx!
It's been 12 years since the last Half-Life game was released in 2007, and just when fans of the iconic franchise seemed to have lost all hope that Valve would ever continue the series, the company took to Twitter to announce a new installment. Half-Life: Alyx has been revealed as the studio's "flagship" virtual reality game.
The title is a prequel set beween the events of the first Half-Life and Half-Life 2, following Alyx's life before Gordon Freeman arrived in City 17. Alyx is on a mission to save her father, the scientist Eli Vance, who's been kidnapped by the evil Combine.
The game will feature a new weapon inspired by the series' Gravity Gun called "Grabbity Gloves" which allow you to pull items in the environment towards you.
Half-Life is finally back, but not the way you expected. Here's everything you need to know about the Valve Vr game, Half-Life: Alyx!
It's been 12 years since the last Half-Life game was released in 2007, and just when fans of the iconic franchise seemed to have lost all hope that Valve would ever continue the series, the company took to Twitter to announce a new installment. Half-Life: Alyx has been revealed as the studio's "flagship" virtual reality game.
The title is a prequel set beween the events of the first Half-Life and Half-Life 2, following Alyx's life before Gordon Freeman arrived in City 17. Alyx is on a mission to save her father, the scientist Eli Vance, who's been kidnapped by the evil Combine.
The game will feature a new weapon inspired by the series' Gravity Gun called "Grabbity Gloves" which allow you to pull items in the environment towards you.
- 11/19/2019
- Den of Geek
Half-Life developer Valve could be on course to revive its iconic creation in the near future, it seems.
The series, which casts players as silent protagonist Gordon Freeman, has long been championed by fans and critics alike for being one of the most influential games of its generation. Released way back in 2004 to instant acclaim, Half-Life 2 has since been ported – most notably bundled with the original Portal in The Orange Box – to various platforms accompanied by Dlc expansions. The last of those, Episode Two, released in 2007 to a similar reception but since then…well, you undoubtedly know the story by now.
Half-Life 3, or lack thereof, has become a running joke in recent years, with fans of the Fps often chastising Valve for its seeming unwillingness to either confirm or deny the existence of a sequel. As for how the short history lesson above relates to today’s news – it’s...
The series, which casts players as silent protagonist Gordon Freeman, has long been championed by fans and critics alike for being one of the most influential games of its generation. Released way back in 2004 to instant acclaim, Half-Life 2 has since been ported – most notably bundled with the original Portal in The Orange Box – to various platforms accompanied by Dlc expansions. The last of those, Episode Two, released in 2007 to a similar reception but since then…well, you undoubtedly know the story by now.
Half-Life 3, or lack thereof, has become a running joke in recent years, with fans of the Fps often chastising Valve for its seeming unwillingness to either confirm or deny the existence of a sequel. As for how the short history lesson above relates to today’s news – it’s...
- 11/18/2019
- by Joe Pring
- We Got This Covered
Matthew Byrd Dec 6, 2019
From grand strategy to mythical adventures, here are the PC games you need to play in 2020.
The PC has been a staple of the video game industry for decades. Consoles come and go, talk of new generations pop-up every handful of years, and companies continue to try to get in on the nostalgic classic console scene, but the one constant that remains is that you’ll never be able to experience the best gaming has to offer unless you have a PC.
That isn’t going to change in 2020. As we prepare to say goodbye to one generation of consoles and hello to two new console releases, the PC remains a source for some of the most innovative and essential gaming experiences.
So far, the PC games of 2020 include trips through the woods, cyberpunk free-running, and supervillain simulators. If you can’t find a PC game releasing...
From grand strategy to mythical adventures, here are the PC games you need to play in 2020.
The PC has been a staple of the video game industry for decades. Consoles come and go, talk of new generations pop-up every handful of years, and companies continue to try to get in on the nostalgic classic console scene, but the one constant that remains is that you’ll never be able to experience the best gaming has to offer unless you have a PC.
That isn’t going to change in 2020. As we prepare to say goodbye to one generation of consoles and hello to two new console releases, the PC remains a source for some of the most innovative and essential gaming experiences.
So far, the PC games of 2020 include trips through the woods, cyberpunk free-running, and supervillain simulators. If you can’t find a PC game releasing...
- 8/28/2019
- Den of Geek
Matthew Byrd May 21, 2019
World War Z studio Saber Interactive once pitched a Half-Life 2 remake to Valve.
In a surprising revelation, Saber Interactive, developers of World War Z, revealed that they asked Valve for permission to develop a Half-Life 2 remake.
"After we did Halo Anniversary and Halo 2 Anniversary, as part of the Master Chief Collection, I reached out to Gabe Newell personally, because I knew him from a past life, and I said I want to remake Half-Life 2," said Saber Interactive CEO Matthew Karch in an interview with Game Watcher. "That's all I want to do. I won't charge you anything for it. I'll do it for rev-share and doesn't even need to be a big rev-share. I just really want to do because I love that game so much."
As you've probably guessed, Newell declined that proposal. According to Karh, Newell said that Valve will lead the development of a...
World War Z studio Saber Interactive once pitched a Half-Life 2 remake to Valve.
In a surprising revelation, Saber Interactive, developers of World War Z, revealed that they asked Valve for permission to develop a Half-Life 2 remake.
"After we did Halo Anniversary and Halo 2 Anniversary, as part of the Master Chief Collection, I reached out to Gabe Newell personally, because I knew him from a past life, and I said I want to remake Half-Life 2," said Saber Interactive CEO Matthew Karch in an interview with Game Watcher. "That's all I want to do. I won't charge you anything for it. I'll do it for rev-share and doesn't even need to be a big rev-share. I just really want to do because I love that game so much."
As you've probably guessed, Newell declined that proposal. According to Karh, Newell said that Valve will lead the development of a...
- 5/21/2019
- Den of Geek
Directors Guild of America President Thomas Schlamme today announced the nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Television, Commercials and Documentary for 2017. “Directors are driving the push to more distinctive television, eye-catching commercials and powerful documentaries,” said Schlamme in an official statement. “From 30-second spots to multi-hour mini-series, the nominees across these nine categories are leading that charge. We are proud to honor the tremendous range of excellence found in the projects nominated today.”
Big names like Reed Morano, Amy Sherman-Palladino, the Duffer brothers, Niki Caro, Jean-Marc Vallee, and Barry Levinson picked up nods from the guild, along with a number of noms for series like “Game of Thrones” and “Master of None.”
Read More:Golden Globes 2018 Full Winners List: ‘Three Billboards,’ ‘Lady Bird,’ ‘Big Little Lies,’ and More Take Top Honors
The winners will be announced at the 70th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.
Big names like Reed Morano, Amy Sherman-Palladino, the Duffer brothers, Niki Caro, Jean-Marc Vallee, and Barry Levinson picked up nods from the guild, along with a number of noms for series like “Game of Thrones” and “Master of None.”
Read More:Golden Globes 2018 Full Winners List: ‘Three Billboards,’ ‘Lady Bird,’ ‘Big Little Lies,’ and More Take Top Honors
The winners will be announced at the 70th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.
- 1/10/2018
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Presumably, this is the end of an era. In the wee hours of the morning former Valve employee and Half-Life writer Marc Laidlaw published a story on GitHub which appears to be a full summary of the story planned for Half Life 3 if it were to ever be made. The story (which can be read by clicking the hyperlink prior to this) is penned by main man Gordon Freeman and chronicles the events of the game following Episode 2 of the series.
As with all things related to Half-Life, the internet is going berzerk, with the main reason why being that many believe this is an indicator that Half Life 3 will never happen. If it is, chances are there are a ton of Valve employees currently pissed off at Marc Laidlaw as he might very well have spoiled the story they've been developing for years now.
There's also a possibility that...
As with all things related to Half-Life, the internet is going berzerk, with the main reason why being that many believe this is an indicator that Half Life 3 will never happen. If it is, chances are there are a ton of Valve employees currently pissed off at Marc Laidlaw as he might very well have spoiled the story they've been developing for years now.
There's also a possibility that...
- 8/25/2017
- by Mick Joest
- GeekTyrant
Matthew Byrd Nov 15, 2019
Former Valve writer Marc Laidlaw reveals what the Half-Life 3 story might have been about if it'd ever seen the light of day.
In 2017, former Valve writer Marc Laidlaw broke the internet when he updated his blog with a mysterious letter that appeared to contain the plot summary for his version of Half-Life 3. The post immediately caught the attention of a legion of Half-Life fans who deciphered the false names and hidden messages used in the original post and determined that it revealed plot details about the Half-Life sequel that never arrived. A translation of the text that inserts all the proper character, location, and occurrence names into the summary can be found here.
Fans have matched certain plot elements detailed in the summary to previously "leaked" concept art for an unreleased Half-Life game. Mentions of an arctic fortress and a downed helicopter in the summary have...
Former Valve writer Marc Laidlaw reveals what the Half-Life 3 story might have been about if it'd ever seen the light of day.
In 2017, former Valve writer Marc Laidlaw broke the internet when he updated his blog with a mysterious letter that appeared to contain the plot summary for his version of Half-Life 3. The post immediately caught the attention of a legion of Half-Life fans who deciphered the false names and hidden messages used in the original post and determined that it revealed plot details about the Half-Life sequel that never arrived. A translation of the text that inserts all the proper character, location, and occurrence names into the summary can be found here.
Fans have matched certain plot elements detailed in the summary to previously "leaked" concept art for an unreleased Half-Life game. Mentions of an arctic fortress and a downed helicopter in the summary have...
- 8/25/2017
- Den of Geek
Matthew Byrd Jul 19, 2017
Former Half-Life writer Marc Laidlaw wanted Episode 3 to open up the door for someone else's sequels...
Former Half-Life writer Marc Laidlaw wants you to know that at one point he did intend to write another Half-Life game that would have allowed him to gracefully step away from the series.
See related Doom review
"I had ideas for Episode 3," said Laidlaw in an interview with Arcade Attack. "They were all supposed to take the series to a point where I could step away from it and leave it to the next generation. I had hoped for a reset between HL2 and HL3 that was as dramatic as the shift between HL1 and HL2. I honestly don’t know if anyone else shared this goal, but it seemed important to me to give ultimate freedom to whoever inherited the series, with my own personal set of loose ends tied up to my satisfaction.
Former Half-Life writer Marc Laidlaw wanted Episode 3 to open up the door for someone else's sequels...
Former Half-Life writer Marc Laidlaw wants you to know that at one point he did intend to write another Half-Life game that would have allowed him to gracefully step away from the series.
See related Doom review
"I had ideas for Episode 3," said Laidlaw in an interview with Arcade Attack. "They were all supposed to take the series to a point where I could step away from it and leave it to the next generation. I had hoped for a reset between HL2 and HL3 that was as dramatic as the shift between HL1 and HL2. I honestly don’t know if anyone else shared this goal, but it seemed important to me to give ultimate freedom to whoever inherited the series, with my own personal set of loose ends tied up to my satisfaction.
- 7/18/2017
- Den of Geek
Time is not kind to interactive entertainment, but Half-Life 2 has aged remarkably well. Even twelve years after the release of Valve’s magnum opus, there’s something ceremonial about feeding the disc into your tray. From the opening menu to the famous iconography splashed across the jet-black screen with the unmistakable lambda symbol front and centre, it’s hard not to catch your breath as the G-Man appears, coaxing you into action. Like all classic games, books and films, there’s a sense of occasion as you boot this classic title to life. The passing of time only confirms what a frightening achievement it it is, and just how badly we need Half-Life 3.
And so it begins. You’re Gordon Freeman, scientist and hero of the first game, put into stasis by the mysterious G-Man and freed from captivity twenty years later. Your destination? The crumbling eastern bloc stronghold of...
And so it begins. You’re Gordon Freeman, scientist and hero of the first game, put into stasis by the mysterious G-Man and freed from captivity twenty years later. Your destination? The crumbling eastern bloc stronghold of...
- 11/21/2016
- by Edward Love
- We Got This Covered
Back in 2013 J.J. Abrams announced that he was developing feature film adaptations of the video game franchise's Portal and Half-Life. Bad Robot and Valve are teaming up to make these films happen, but there’s been no information on the projects since that announcement at the D.I.C.E. Conference that year. If you were excited by that news, you’ll be happy to hear that the films are actually still in development! While talking to IGN, Abrams was asked about the projects and he told them:
“Not yet, but they’re in development. And we’ve got writers, and we’re working on both those stories. But nothing that would be an exciting update.”
It’s exciting enough to know that they aren’t dead and that Abrams is still in the process of bringing these stories to life. We don’t know who is helping develop these projects,...
“Not yet, but they’re in development. And we’ve got writers, and we’re working on both those stories. But nothing that would be an exciting update.”
It’s exciting enough to know that they aren’t dead and that Abrams is still in the process of bringing these stories to life. We don’t know who is helping develop these projects,...
- 3/14/2016
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
If there’s one thing I respect about the Half-life franchise, is that each new addition isn’t simply a cash in. Rather than just cutting, pasting, and selling the same old thing, Valve Corporation tries to innovate with each new entry, even if it’s the same classic formula.
Rather than release a Half-life 3, Valve decided to give episodic format to the continuation of Dr. Gordon Freeman’s adventure.
The game literally picks up right at the end of the sequel’s events. And since Half-life 2: Episode One only came out about a year-and-a-half after the sequel, it retains much of Half-life 2‘s mechanics, from the Source Engine to the weapons and enemies.
How much entertainment you get out of Episode One really depends on how much you loved Half-life 2. If you’re like me, then you’re going to have a blast playing this game, since it...
Rather than release a Half-life 3, Valve decided to give episodic format to the continuation of Dr. Gordon Freeman’s adventure.
The game literally picks up right at the end of the sequel’s events. And since Half-life 2: Episode One only came out about a year-and-a-half after the sequel, it retains much of Half-life 2‘s mechanics, from the Source Engine to the weapons and enemies.
How much entertainment you get out of Episode One really depends on how much you loved Half-life 2. If you’re like me, then you’re going to have a blast playing this game, since it...
- 7/9/2015
- by Andrew Hudson
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
Half-life 2 is one of the greatest games of all time.
I wish I could leave it at that and let everyone who’s lived under a rock check it out, but I realize rock dwellers might need more persuasion.
In some ways, Half-life 2 is like a James Cameron sequel. It’s much more action oriented than its predecessor, yet still has all of the heart and brains of the original. The only difference is that Half-life 2 is undeniably better than Half-life.
Rather than taking place in another research facility gone haywire, Half-life 2 has the G-Man sending Gordon Freeman approximately twenty years in the future into an Orwellian dystopia, where otherworldly aliens have conquered Earth and set up a genocidal regime.
As I’ve mentioned before, there’s a heavy emphasis on action this time around. That’s not to say there aren’t any puzzles, most of which require some...
I wish I could leave it at that and let everyone who’s lived under a rock check it out, but I realize rock dwellers might need more persuasion.
In some ways, Half-life 2 is like a James Cameron sequel. It’s much more action oriented than its predecessor, yet still has all of the heart and brains of the original. The only difference is that Half-life 2 is undeniably better than Half-life.
Rather than taking place in another research facility gone haywire, Half-life 2 has the G-Man sending Gordon Freeman approximately twenty years in the future into an Orwellian dystopia, where otherworldly aliens have conquered Earth and set up a genocidal regime.
As I’ve mentioned before, there’s a heavy emphasis on action this time around. That’s not to say there aren’t any puzzles, most of which require some...
- 6/4/2015
- by Andrew Hudson
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
A great game series is like pizza: as long as they don’t completely mess things up, any serving is a good one, even if it’s not the best.
Valve (with Gearbox) decided to create one more Half-life expansion before developing the legendary sequel. Unlike the previous iterations, Half-life: Blue Shift doesn’t have you playing as a badass physicist or a tough-as-nails marine. This time you’re put into the shoes of an everyday security officer who should’ve called in sick.
Just like the past two games, Blue Shift features a silent protagonist having to deal with everything hitting the fan. There are some changes, such as the fact that you have armor that has to be replenished by finding other pieces of security armor scattered about. But for the most part, the changes are minor.
After playing Half-life: Opposing Force, Blue Shift feels like a step back.
Valve (with Gearbox) decided to create one more Half-life expansion before developing the legendary sequel. Unlike the previous iterations, Half-life: Blue Shift doesn’t have you playing as a badass physicist or a tough-as-nails marine. This time you’re put into the shoes of an everyday security officer who should’ve called in sick.
Just like the past two games, Blue Shift features a silent protagonist having to deal with everything hitting the fan. There are some changes, such as the fact that you have armor that has to be replenished by finding other pieces of security armor scattered about. But for the most part, the changes are minor.
After playing Half-life: Opposing Force, Blue Shift feels like a step back.
- 5/7/2015
- by Andrew Hudson
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
It might be hard to believe considering all of the cash-grab DLCs out there with no real substance, but expansion packs and additional content used to be something to look forward to in video games. Either they added improvements and content to an already-great game (Diablo II: Lord Of Destruction) or they were standalone adventures that could be enjoyed on their own. Half-life: Opposing Force is the latter.
As the title suggests, Opposing Force puts you in the opposing marine’s boots. This time you’re Corporal Adrian Shepherd, whose duty goes from completing a classified mission to fighting for survival, as everything hits the fan.
You might have also figured out from the premise that this game has more emphasis on action (though that’s not to say there aren’t puzzles scattered about).
Fortunately, there have been plenty of big improvements on Half-life‘s combat mechanics in this expansion,...
As the title suggests, Opposing Force puts you in the opposing marine’s boots. This time you’re Corporal Adrian Shepherd, whose duty goes from completing a classified mission to fighting for survival, as everything hits the fan.
You might have also figured out from the premise that this game has more emphasis on action (though that’s not to say there aren’t puzzles scattered about).
Fortunately, there have been plenty of big improvements on Half-life‘s combat mechanics in this expansion,...
- 4/5/2015
- by Andrew Hudson
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
What do you get when you combine Stephen King’s The Mist, Aliens, and Lovecraftian horror? Half-life, of course.
We’re going to go through a Half-life Marathon. Every official computer Half-life game is going to be hypothesized, analyzed, and thoroughly tested. So let’s start with the game that started it all: Half-life.
For those of you who were either too young or never got around to playing it, Half-life is pretty simple to understand from a distance. You play as Gordon, a young physicist working for research facility Black Mesa. An experiment goes horribly wrong, opening a rift to an alien world and sending terrifying monsters into Black Mesa. Now Gordon Freeman must fight his way through aliens, marines, and a hazardous facility as he finds a way to stop the world of Xen from intruding on Earth in a puzzle-fps game.
That’s all there is to it.
We’re going to go through a Half-life Marathon. Every official computer Half-life game is going to be hypothesized, analyzed, and thoroughly tested. So let’s start with the game that started it all: Half-life.
For those of you who were either too young or never got around to playing it, Half-life is pretty simple to understand from a distance. You play as Gordon, a young physicist working for research facility Black Mesa. An experiment goes horribly wrong, opening a rift to an alien world and sending terrifying monsters into Black Mesa. Now Gordon Freeman must fight his way through aliens, marines, and a hazardous facility as he finds a way to stop the world of Xen from intruding on Earth in a puzzle-fps game.
That’s all there is to it.
- 3/21/2015
- by Andrew Hudson
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
With Valve throwing its hat into the virtual reality ring with Vive, the company talks about the possibility of a Vr Half-Life...
The status of Half-Life 2: Episode Three is one of the big mysteries in modern gaming. Where is it? What state is it in? Why, nearly eight years after it was originally scheduled for release, has nothing been seen of it?
True to form, Valve remains tight-lipped. Instead, the company's been showing off its Vive Vr Headset - a joint venture with Htc to create a rival to Oculus Rift and Sony Morpheus. This naturally begs the question: does this mean we might get a virtual reality-based Half-Life in the near future?
Kotaku recently asked Valve programmer Jeep Barnett exactly this, and his response was quite exciting: the studio's been experimenting with some of Half-Life's characters and locations with its Vr tech, just to "see how it fits":
"So yeah,...
The status of Half-Life 2: Episode Three is one of the big mysteries in modern gaming. Where is it? What state is it in? Why, nearly eight years after it was originally scheduled for release, has nothing been seen of it?
True to form, Valve remains tight-lipped. Instead, the company's been showing off its Vive Vr Headset - a joint venture with Htc to create a rival to Oculus Rift and Sony Morpheus. This naturally begs the question: does this mean we might get a virtual reality-based Half-Life in the near future?
Kotaku recently asked Valve programmer Jeep Barnett exactly this, and his response was quite exciting: the studio's been experimenting with some of Half-Life's characters and locations with its Vr tech, just to "see how it fits":
"So yeah,...
- 3/9/2015
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
Team Ico
Flash back to the industry’s bip n’ boop origins, and the only way video games were going to make you cry was if your joystick gave out during a particularly vicious game of Pong. However, even back then when all was on screen was literally a handful of pixels, there was something so insanely engaging about trying to control them that it created quite the connection between digital form and reality.
Come forward a few decades and stick a face on that mass of pixels, and now you’ve really got a connection that’s somewhat indescribable – yet immensely important. It’s the reason people champion guys like Link or Gordon Freeman despite them both being mute, and solidifies the fact that if there’s one area video games completely dominate over film, it’s realising silent protagonists in worlds that contextually feel appropriate.
Naturally the last...
Flash back to the industry’s bip n’ boop origins, and the only way video games were going to make you cry was if your joystick gave out during a particularly vicious game of Pong. However, even back then when all was on screen was literally a handful of pixels, there was something so insanely engaging about trying to control them that it created quite the connection between digital form and reality.
Come forward a few decades and stick a face on that mass of pixels, and now you’ve really got a connection that’s somewhat indescribable – yet immensely important. It’s the reason people champion guys like Link or Gordon Freeman despite them both being mute, and solidifies the fact that if there’s one area video games completely dominate over film, it’s realising silent protagonists in worlds that contextually feel appropriate.
Naturally the last...
- 3/2/2015
- by Scott Tailford
- Obsessed with Film
‘Les Loups’ is the first great Quebec film of 2015
The dark unforgiving waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the mouth of the St. Lawrence river provide the backdrop to Les Loups, a beautifully crafted melodrama. Set in a small island Quebec town during the spring thaw, a stranger arrives during the height of the controversial seal hunts. Vibrant and mysterious, many suspect that Elie, the young woman from Montreal, is not who she says and is likely a reporter or an activist bent on portraying the townsfolk in a bad light… read the full article.
‘The Phantom Menace’ and the goodness of Star Wars nostalgia
A long time ago…in 1999, the pop culture zeitgeist was caught in a Star Wars maelstrom. Writer-director George Lucas and his crack creative team had gone back to the well that made space opera cinema what it is known and appreciated as today by producing...
The dark unforgiving waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the mouth of the St. Lawrence river provide the backdrop to Les Loups, a beautifully crafted melodrama. Set in a small island Quebec town during the spring thaw, a stranger arrives during the height of the controversial seal hunts. Vibrant and mysterious, many suspect that Elie, the young woman from Montreal, is not who she says and is likely a reporter or an activist bent on portraying the townsfolk in a bad light… read the full article.
‘The Phantom Menace’ and the goodness of Star Wars nostalgia
A long time ago…in 1999, the pop culture zeitgeist was caught in a Star Wars maelstrom. Writer-director George Lucas and his crack creative team had gone back to the well that made space opera cinema what it is known and appreciated as today by producing...
- 2/28/2015
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
Looking, Season 2, Episode 6: “Looking for Gordon Freeman”
Directed by Jamie Babbit
Written by Jc Lee
Airs Sundays at 10 Pm on HBO
In Looking for Gordon Freeman, Agustin continually compares Patrick to Clarissa Dalloway, Virginia Woolf’s seminal neurotic hostess. This is not an obscure reference for anyone with a cursory knowledge of American literature. Even if someone’s never read the book, they’ve probably heard the name before and know it has something to do with parties and flowers and tragedy. But, the reference is completely lost on Patrick. For Agustin – and perhaps for the liberal arts educated Looking viewership – this gap in knowledge is a bit surprising, but it says more about Patrick’s interests than his intelligence. So he’s not a reader. He knows a ton about obscure video game characters, and is shocked when no one recognizes his Gordon Freeman Halloween costume. Maybe Gordon Freeman...
Directed by Jamie Babbit
Written by Jc Lee
Airs Sundays at 10 Pm on HBO
In Looking for Gordon Freeman, Agustin continually compares Patrick to Clarissa Dalloway, Virginia Woolf’s seminal neurotic hostess. This is not an obscure reference for anyone with a cursory knowledge of American literature. Even if someone’s never read the book, they’ve probably heard the name before and know it has something to do with parties and flowers and tragedy. But, the reference is completely lost on Patrick. For Agustin – and perhaps for the liberal arts educated Looking viewership – this gap in knowledge is a bit surprising, but it says more about Patrick’s interests than his intelligence. So he’s not a reader. He knows a ton about obscure video game characters, and is shocked when no one recognizes his Gordon Freeman Halloween costume. Maybe Gordon Freeman...
- 2/23/2015
- by Bryan Rucker
- SoundOnSight
If there’s one point that bears repeating with Andrew Haigh’s San Franciscan series, Looking, it’s that the variety of situations the show explores is at times, limited. Understandably, this is not a sitcom. It’s a naturalistic slice o’life drama and by definition, everyday life (sadly) isn’t normally fuelled by high-action stakes that demand the suspension of disbelief. The sometimes-repetitious feeling permeating the first five episodes owe a lot to the same sense of history repeating itself that real life offers. Still – this is television!
As luck would have it, the pace picks back up this week, bringing it in line with the excitement hinted at in the season premiere. Halloween marks the occasion for the lads, who strap on the costumes for a party at Patrick and Agustin’s apartment. Spearheaded by the former, it’s the perfect opportunity for the skeletons in his...
As luck would have it, the pace picks back up this week, bringing it in line with the excitement hinted at in the season premiere. Halloween marks the occasion for the lads, who strap on the costumes for a party at Patrick and Agustin’s apartment. Spearheaded by the former, it’s the perfect opportunity for the skeletons in his...
- 2/23/2015
- by Gem Seddon
- We Got This Covered
Valve
Earlier this month marked the 10-year anniversary of arguably the greatest first-person shooter ever made, Half-Life 2. Valve’s insanely anticipated game had endured ridiculous delays (in large part due to much of the game’s code being leaked online), but the final product was without question completely worth the wait, totally outdoing the original game and delivering a shooter that has long endured ever since.
So, what better time to look back at the history of the Half-Life franchise and all the awesome things it has given birth to? From the best missions and moments throughout the two main games and four expansions to the other tangential spin-offs they led to (but not Portal, because it’s just a little too different), this list will be examining what has made Valve’s flagship series such a mainstay of the genre.
Even though pretty much a week doesn’t go...
Earlier this month marked the 10-year anniversary of arguably the greatest first-person shooter ever made, Half-Life 2. Valve’s insanely anticipated game had endured ridiculous delays (in large part due to much of the game’s code being leaked online), but the final product was without question completely worth the wait, totally outdoing the original game and delivering a shooter that has long endured ever since.
So, what better time to look back at the history of the Half-Life franchise and all the awesome things it has given birth to? From the best missions and moments throughout the two main games and four expansions to the other tangential spin-offs they led to (but not Portal, because it’s just a little too different), this list will be examining what has made Valve’s flagship series such a mainstay of the genre.
Even though pretty much a week doesn’t go...
- 11/27/2014
- by Jack Pooley
- Obsessed with Film
Oh, hello there fellow Half-Lifeians. I see you’re eager to read this article hoping our collective consciousness will aggregate, creating a powerful one-mind unit that will shake the internet and make the Valve democracy heed our call.
If you hum quietly while reading, it will make our plea stronger my brothers and sisters of The Church Of Freeman.
So once again another year is close to conclusion and still no Half Life 3 announcements. While rumours spread like warm butter in a frying pan, Gabe Newell and crew are keeping schtum about the whole affair. However, that doesn’t stop the Internet from clinging onto hopeful straws, especially since Valve went ahead and filed a trademark for HL3 recently, causing a stir amongst fans.
So to add to all that hysteria, here are seven things I (and many others) are hoping for in the next instalment of Gordon Freeman And His Super Wacky Adventures.
If you hum quietly while reading, it will make our plea stronger my brothers and sisters of The Church Of Freeman.
So once again another year is close to conclusion and still no Half Life 3 announcements. While rumours spread like warm butter in a frying pan, Gabe Newell and crew are keeping schtum about the whole affair. However, that doesn’t stop the Internet from clinging onto hopeful straws, especially since Valve went ahead and filed a trademark for HL3 recently, causing a stir amongst fans.
So to add to all that hysteria, here are seven things I (and many others) are hoping for in the next instalment of Gordon Freeman And His Super Wacky Adventures.
- 10/17/2013
- by Andrew Heaton
- Obsessed with Film
It's antigravity mayhem as "Half-Life 2" heroine Alyx Vance (Lilan Bowden) stars in Corridor Digital's short about the origins of the Gravity Gun.
You can see some solid to good action chops on display here from Corridor Digital, who shows us the first time the iconic "Half-Life 2" weapon gets used in the field--and not by series hero Gordon Freeman. I have no idea how much this project cost, but Corridor was able to wring some value out of their dollar with some clever digital effects taking full advantage of the unique weapon.
The four-minute short, released as part of YouTube's Gaming Day for their Geek Week programming, is from directors Sam and Niko. Alyx's physicist father Eli is played by Max Gonzalez, although for a bit I thought he was simply a digital actor with voice work.
Related posts:
Dominic Monaghan Is Ready For Duty In 'The Bureau: Xcom Declassified' Shorts...
You can see some solid to good action chops on display here from Corridor Digital, who shows us the first time the iconic "Half-Life 2" weapon gets used in the field--and not by series hero Gordon Freeman. I have no idea how much this project cost, but Corridor was able to wring some value out of their dollar with some clever digital effects taking full advantage of the unique weapon.
The four-minute short, released as part of YouTube's Gaming Day for their Geek Week programming, is from directors Sam and Niko. Alyx's physicist father Eli is played by Max Gonzalez, although for a bit I thought he was simply a digital actor with voice work.
Related posts:
Dominic Monaghan Is Ready For Duty In 'The Bureau: Xcom Declassified' Shorts...
- 8/8/2013
- by Charles Webb
- MTV Multiplayer
Check out this amusing fan made Portal and Half Life crossover film. YouTuber mikeNgary and his team created this comedic take on the games, which they call "Gordon and Chell Go on a Date." The story is exactly what the title says it is. Neither of the characters talk, which I thought was charming. Here's a synopsis and some background info on the short,
While at Black Mesa or City 17 Gordon Freeman battles Head crabs, Barnacles, and G-Man Chell struggles against Aperture Turrets, test chambers, Wheatly and GLaDOS. Through adverse conditions these two heros are worthy of being Valve's best. But what would happen if these two silent protagonist met? Better yet, what if they went on a date? No matter what each brings to the table no crow bar or Portal gun will prepare you for what happens next.
This is a project several months in the making. After...
While at Black Mesa or City 17 Gordon Freeman battles Head crabs, Barnacles, and G-Man Chell struggles against Aperture Turrets, test chambers, Wheatly and GLaDOS. Through adverse conditions these two heros are worthy of being Valve's best. But what would happen if these two silent protagonist met? Better yet, what if they went on a date? No matter what each brings to the table no crow bar or Portal gun will prepare you for what happens next.
This is a project several months in the making. After...
- 6/3/2013
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Inspired by previous fan creations (and wanting to help his girlfriend with her cosplay), multimedia artist Jesse James Allen created this replica Gordon Freeman's weapon of mass flinging.
Allen, who posts on YouTube under the name Savage Land Pictures, explains that he wanted to create something to accompany his girlfriend's Alyx Vance costume as he made his first attempt at building a prop. Describing his gun as more of an "interpretation" rather than straight-up replica, Allen says he constructed it using Pvc, foam, old airsoft parts and 200 Led lights powered by a 12-volt battery.
You can check it out in all its glory below:
Related Posts:
Dark Horse Announces Digital-only 'Metro: Last Light' Tie-in Comic
Classic Games Get Added Dimension In Metin Seven's 'Inside' Video Game' Prints
--
Follow @MTVMultiplayer on Twitter and be sure to "like" us on Facebook for the best geek news about comics, toys, gaming and more!
Allen, who posts on YouTube under the name Savage Land Pictures, explains that he wanted to create something to accompany his girlfriend's Alyx Vance costume as he made his first attempt at building a prop. Describing his gun as more of an "interpretation" rather than straight-up replica, Allen says he constructed it using Pvc, foam, old airsoft parts and 200 Led lights powered by a 12-volt battery.
You can check it out in all its glory below:
Related Posts:
Dark Horse Announces Digital-only 'Metro: Last Light' Tie-in Comic
Classic Games Get Added Dimension In Metin Seven's 'Inside' Video Game' Prints
--
Follow @MTVMultiplayer on Twitter and be sure to "like" us on Facebook for the best geek news about comics, toys, gaming and more!
- 4/22/2013
- by Charles Webb
- MTV Multiplayer
Dr. Gordon Freeman is a theoretical physicist who must fight his way out of a secret underground facility whose research has gone disastrously wrong.
This is the pitch for Half-Life, the first video game developed by the startup Valve, but it may well describe how things seem to be going inside the new studio’s offices (if they have any at all). Presented in last year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo, Half-Life garnered its fair share of attention thanks to its revolutionary graphics, based on the Quake engine, and appealing story. But would-be fans have been disappointed time and again by Valve’s inability to meet its own release date announcements.
Valve informed today that the game will be released next November, but reliable sources from inside the studio tell me Half-Life won’t hit the shelves before the end of 1999. I won’t say it, but I think Newell and...
This is the pitch for Half-Life, the first video game developed by the startup Valve, but it may well describe how things seem to be going inside the new studio’s offices (if they have any at all). Presented in last year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo, Half-Life garnered its fair share of attention thanks to its revolutionary graphics, based on the Quake engine, and appealing story. But would-be fans have been disappointed time and again by Valve’s inability to meet its own release date announcements.
Valve informed today that the game will be released next November, but reliable sources from inside the studio tell me Half-Life won’t hit the shelves before the end of 1999. I won’t say it, but I think Newell and...
- 4/1/2013
- by Sergio Achinelli
- Obsessed with Film
It’s a shame that modern day developers often choose to sink into the comforts of polishing up an already overworked franchise, resulting in the release of a subpar and often awful game. However, once in a while if the right amount of effort is put into its heart and soul, gems can crop up…
You have the Brotherhood of the Assassin’s Creed family.
The 9 in Final Fantasy’s long reign.
The World of Warcraft following on from just plain Warcraft.
Not only is there proof that sequels can work, there’s also a heavier pile of evidence to suggest that perhaps enough should have been enough. And thankfully, Far Cry 3 did not fall into this category. Luckily for Ubisoft and their previous Far Cry-ing backdrops, setting up entirely new games with each release created a new experience that doesn’t rely on safe groundings, thus resulting in new and exhilarating games,...
You have the Brotherhood of the Assassin’s Creed family.
The 9 in Final Fantasy’s long reign.
The World of Warcraft following on from just plain Warcraft.
Not only is there proof that sequels can work, there’s also a heavier pile of evidence to suggest that perhaps enough should have been enough. And thankfully, Far Cry 3 did not fall into this category. Luckily for Ubisoft and their previous Far Cry-ing backdrops, setting up entirely new games with each release created a new experience that doesn’t rely on safe groundings, thus resulting in new and exhilarating games,...
- 3/25/2013
- by Charleyy Hodson
- Obsessed with Film
Too many of you will only read this first paragraph. You will notice it is about Half-Life 2, which is old news by some 9 long years, and you will probably go back to articles about Call of Duty or the 10 Best Nude Scenes Ever (and okay, that’s fine). Why should you read on? Nine years is a long time, isn’t it? Innovations have come and gone and far surpassed the ideas of Half-Life 2 by now, right? Well, I respectfully disagree.
If you’re still here, read on for our 10 reasons why Half-Life 2 is still the best first person shooter ever made.
10. Freeman’s World
I challenge anyone reading this to find across every nook and cranny in the world of culture, art and media, an enigmatic character that has never uttered a single word. Gordon Freeman is one of a kind. Despite not having a voice or being seen...
If you’re still here, read on for our 10 reasons why Half-Life 2 is still the best first person shooter ever made.
10. Freeman’s World
I challenge anyone reading this to find across every nook and cranny in the world of culture, art and media, an enigmatic character that has never uttered a single word. Gordon Freeman is one of a kind. Despite not having a voice or being seen...
- 2/14/2013
- by Shaun Lappin
- Obsessed with Film
"Where the f*** is Freeman?"
So someone explain the insane "Half-Life"/Gordon Freeman fandom to me? The silent protagonist of Valve's games makes for an interesting visual but has no discernible personality to speak of. So how/why does he and the alien-oppressed landscape of the games inspire so much fan love, from art to multiple shorts and miniseries already made and in the pipeline? No snark intended here, I really would love a clear explanation from a hardcore fan.
Speaking of which, the ongoing Indiegogo campaign by a group of the Freeman Faithful would like your help getting "Half-Life: The Freeman Chronicles" made: a six-episode series based on the continuing adventures of everyone's favorite crowbar-wielding savior. The project is the brainchild of duo Ian James Duncan and Bernhard Forcher who are seeking $75,000 ($5,000 goes to Indiegogo) to get their series made. They're also crowdsourcing portions of the story which will...
So someone explain the insane "Half-Life"/Gordon Freeman fandom to me? The silent protagonist of Valve's games makes for an interesting visual but has no discernible personality to speak of. So how/why does he and the alien-oppressed landscape of the games inspire so much fan love, from art to multiple shorts and miniseries already made and in the pipeline? No snark intended here, I really would love a clear explanation from a hardcore fan.
Speaking of which, the ongoing Indiegogo campaign by a group of the Freeman Faithful would like your help getting "Half-Life: The Freeman Chronicles" made: a six-episode series based on the continuing adventures of everyone's favorite crowbar-wielding savior. The project is the brainchild of duo Ian James Duncan and Bernhard Forcher who are seeking $75,000 ($5,000 goes to Indiegogo) to get their series made. They're also crowdsourcing portions of the story which will...
- 2/11/2013
- by Charles Webb
- MTV Multiplayer
Before you get out your crowbar and storm the internet in a fury about potential "Half-Life" and "Portal" games, let's take a breather.
The Dice talk between director of everything J.J. Abrams and Valve co-founder/internet deity Gabe Newell included no explicit talk of developing film projects based on either of the popular video games, but rather an intention to make movies and games together.
But let's say that both "Portal" and "Half-Life" movies ramp up into production today. There are obviously a few things the fans are going to require and things they absolutely do not want to see. These are just a few...
Do not make Gordon Freeman talk.
If you're looking for a quick way to destroy all good faith from the passionate "Half-Life" fanbase, make the ever-silent Gordon Freeman the main character of your movie, and make him talk. To fair, the topic of Freeman's lack...
The Dice talk between director of everything J.J. Abrams and Valve co-founder/internet deity Gabe Newell included no explicit talk of developing film projects based on either of the popular video games, but rather an intention to make movies and games together.
But let's say that both "Portal" and "Half-Life" movies ramp up into production today. There are obviously a few things the fans are going to require and things they absolutely do not want to see. These are just a few...
Do not make Gordon Freeman talk.
If you're looking for a quick way to destroy all good faith from the passionate "Half-Life" fanbase, make the ever-silent Gordon Freeman the main character of your movie, and make him talk. To fair, the topic of Freeman's lack...
- 2/7/2013
- by Kevin P. Sullivan
- MTV Movies Blog
The shock news broke today that J.J Abrams, who already has his plate pretty full with promoting Star Trek 2 and gearing up to direct Star Wars Episode VII, is looking to work with Valve’s Gabe Newell on bringing their hugely popular Half-Life and Portal franchises to the big screen.
It sent shockwaves throughout the Internet, given that Newell has for years shown resistance to Hollywood filmmakers handling his baby, though either through one Hell of a pitch or simply a grand admiration for Abrams’ work in the sci-fi arena to date, the Star Trek director appears to have done something to stoke the game designer’s fires.
Half-Life has to be one of the most challenging video game properties to adapt for a multitude of reasons, not least that the games have a fervent, rabid fanbase who will turn on anyone who they perceive as threatening their prized IP.
It sent shockwaves throughout the Internet, given that Newell has for years shown resistance to Hollywood filmmakers handling his baby, though either through one Hell of a pitch or simply a grand admiration for Abrams’ work in the sci-fi arena to date, the Star Trek director appears to have done something to stoke the game designer’s fires.
Half-Life has to be one of the most challenging video game properties to adapt for a multitude of reasons, not least that the games have a fervent, rabid fanbase who will turn on anyone who they perceive as threatening their prized IP.
- 2/7/2013
- by Shaun Munro
- Obsessed with Film
Is it an overstatement to say that Jj Abrams is the future of the sci-fi movie genre? We think not. The Star Trek (and soon to be Star Wars) director announced that he’ll be adapting Valve’s Half-Life and Portal video games into movies.
Abrams made the announcement, along with Valve’s managing director Gabe Newell, at yesterday’s Dice Summit. During the 25 minutes that the two shares onstage, Abrams told the crowd that he had an idea for a game. Newell responded by expressing his excitement, and saying:
“We also want to talk about making movies, either a Portal movie or a Half-Life movie… What we are actually doing here, we are recapitulating a series of conversations going on. We reached the point that we decided to do more than talk.”
Abrams later said that the projects are in the early stages, but these are stories that he wants to see to personally.
Abrams made the announcement, along with Valve’s managing director Gabe Newell, at yesterday’s Dice Summit. During the 25 minutes that the two shares onstage, Abrams told the crowd that he had an idea for a game. Newell responded by expressing his excitement, and saying:
“We also want to talk about making movies, either a Portal movie or a Half-Life movie… What we are actually doing here, we are recapitulating a series of conversations going on. We reached the point that we decided to do more than talk.”
Abrams later said that the projects are in the early stages, but these are stories that he wants to see to personally.
- 2/7/2013
- by Laura Frances
- LRMonline.com
How does one even put in words how epically awesome this art is?!
LoneFireWarrior on Deviant has created these fantastic pieces of art that brings together some of our favorite video game characters. You have Samus Aran from Metroid, Master Chief from Halo, Gordon Freeman from Half-Life, Optimus Prime from the Cybertron games, Commander Shepard from Mass Effect and so many more!
It makes one wonder, why don't gaming companies make more mashup games? Fans would surely love it, just look at how well the Super Smash Bros. franchise has done over the years.
Who is your favorite character shown here, and who do you think needs to be added?...
LoneFireWarrior on Deviant has created these fantastic pieces of art that brings together some of our favorite video game characters. You have Samus Aran from Metroid, Master Chief from Halo, Gordon Freeman from Half-Life, Optimus Prime from the Cybertron games, Commander Shepard from Mass Effect and so many more!
It makes one wonder, why don't gaming companies make more mashup games? Fans would surely love it, just look at how well the Super Smash Bros. franchise has done over the years.
Who is your favorite character shown here, and who do you think needs to be added?...
- 1/17/2013
- by Jason Williams
- GeekTyrant
Here's an awesomely fun video game inspired short film called When Gordon Met Chell directed by Michael Shanks. The short follows Chell from the Portal series as she escapes from Aperture science to find Gordon Freeman from Half-Life surrounded by a group Combine goons who have no match for the Portal and Gravity Guns.
The movie is an incredibly action-packed love story that involves two of the most beloved game characters in gaming. The movie was made on no budget, and as you'll see it turned out extremely impressive. Enjoy the show! ...
The movie is an incredibly action-packed love story that involves two of the most beloved game characters in gaming. The movie was made on no budget, and as you'll see it turned out extremely impressive. Enjoy the show! ...
- 1/16/2013
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
A lot of the time, it’s weapons that really help define a game and make it what it is. A game can be great in theory, with superb graphics and an engaging storyline, but if the weapons aren’t up to scratch, then we’re not going to savour each and every kill as we do with the very best shoot ‘em ups.
A brutal, visceral action game needs weapons that reflect that brutality, and help to make the protagonist seem all that more badass as a force to be reckoned with. The very best video game weapons are enormously destructive, require some strategy to be used effectively, and most importantly of all, are just a straight up blast (pun intended). Given how many generic pulse rifles and rocket launchers we’ve seen in games over the years, here are 10 weapons that are certifiably the most uniquely badass in the history of video games.
A brutal, visceral action game needs weapons that reflect that brutality, and help to make the protagonist seem all that more badass as a force to be reckoned with. The very best video game weapons are enormously destructive, require some strategy to be used effectively, and most importantly of all, are just a straight up blast (pun intended). Given how many generic pulse rifles and rocket launchers we’ve seen in games over the years, here are 10 weapons that are certifiably the most uniquely badass in the history of video games.
- 12/14/2012
- by Shaun Munro
- Obsessed with Film
There’s always been a disparity in the way the world sees red-headed people and their actual value to society and the arts: some of the finest cultural figures in the history of the world have been ginger, including Vincent Van Gogh and David Caruso, and yet we find ourselves ostracized for our hair colour and a genetic predisposition to burn horribly in sunlight. Yes my friends, I said we, for I too have a touch of perpetual autumn about my hair and beard, and frankly I’m sick of a worrying media bias against my fellow Reds that I’ve just began to notice.
For some reason, there are an unfair and unrepresentative amount of ginger villains in gaming history. Copper-tops have become the butt of a very cruel joke – an extension perhaps of the assertion that red-heads have no soul – as game developers use an easy target to...
For some reason, there are an unfair and unrepresentative amount of ginger villains in gaming history. Copper-tops have become the butt of a very cruel joke – an extension perhaps of the assertion that red-heads have no soul – as game developers use an easy target to...
- 10/11/2012
- by Simon Gallagher
- Obsessed with Film
Ah Half Life. Is there a sweeter sound than those two words? I remember being late to the party initially; Half Life had been out a good few years when I first played it. It had been out so long in fact that Half Life 2 was well on the way. In many ways though, I’m glad it happened that way. The wait between Hl and HL2 was supposedly agonizing for day-one fans; it was a phenomenon I thankfully avoided. Once I’d had my mind sufficiently blown by Gordon Freeman’s original exploits, I only had weeks to wait for his second outing.
But I’ve been up to date since then. I played Episode 1 on day one; I played Episode 2 on day one. And then…I waited. I waited and waited; I checked Google; I waited some more; I re-played the games then I checked Google again before waiting once again.
But I’ve been up to date since then. I played Episode 1 on day one; I played Episode 2 on day one. And then…I waited. I waited and waited; I checked Google; I waited some more; I re-played the games then I checked Google again before waiting once again.
- 10/11/2012
- by Stuart W. Bedford
- Obsessed with Film
If you haven’t noticed, video game movies don’t have the greatest track record behind them. Films like Super Mario Brothers and Silent Hill were quick to be panned, along with the likes of Doom and the less-than-mediocre Resident Evil films. So, why the trend? Is it because video games lack the interesting narrative that films often need? Not exactly; if movies like Before Sunrise can gain success, then it isn’t beyond a Legend of Zelda film to make its mark.
But there’s something different about video game adaptations and book adaptations; while literature evokes directed imagination, video games are about controlled experience. Movies are about entertainment interpretation. That’s why adaptations fail so often.
See, when you’re playing a video game, your role is crucial to the ongoing narrative; that’s your investment to the medium. You make your own choices, have a specific skill level,...
But there’s something different about video game adaptations and book adaptations; while literature evokes directed imagination, video games are about controlled experience. Movies are about entertainment interpretation. That’s why adaptations fail so often.
See, when you’re playing a video game, your role is crucial to the ongoing narrative; that’s your investment to the medium. You make your own choices, have a specific skill level,...
- 9/27/2012
- by Cameron Domino Carpenter
- Obsessed with Film
Having to review the first season of a new Sci-Fi TV series landing on our shores holds me with trepidation...
Falling Skies is the story of Earth having been vanquished by an extra-terrestrial force made up of six-legged creatures humans call ‘Skitters’, supported by their bipedal counterparts the ‘Mechs’, who love nothing better to round up people and slap mind-controlling slugs onto their backs. But not to be beaten, a group of Bostonians rise up to create a militia to fight the invaders back. Yeah right, in their dreams…
I've seen too many Science Fiction productions take flight only to be shot down in flames. We could write the mother of all lists with the number of programs that got canned in the last 5 years let alone since the days of Star Trek on TV. But, with the Internet ablaze about the last press conference that the Firefly cast and...
Falling Skies is the story of Earth having been vanquished by an extra-terrestrial force made up of six-legged creatures humans call ‘Skitters’, supported by their bipedal counterparts the ‘Mechs’, who love nothing better to round up people and slap mind-controlling slugs onto their backs. But not to be beaten, a group of Bostonians rise up to create a militia to fight the invaders back. Yeah right, in their dreams…
I've seen too many Science Fiction productions take flight only to be shot down in flames. We could write the mother of all lists with the number of programs that got canned in the last 5 years let alone since the days of Star Trek on TV. But, with the Internet ablaze about the last press conference that the Firefly cast and...
- 9/11/2012
- Shadowlocked
The general rule is: if something exists, Hollywood will make a movie out of it. No matter how uncinematic your novel is, no matter how non-narrative your property, the suits in Hollywood will find some kernel of a story and fling around $200 million until they have enough CGI things going boom to guarantee an opening weekend. This is the modus operandi of Hollywood, going back to the first silent films. Movies are constantly pulling from outside media for material to be adapted, referenced or blatantly rip-offed. And over the years, the movies have managed to wrestle numerous bizarre concepts onto the screen against all logic and reason.
They didn’t just film Lolita, they filmed Lolita Twice.
So it would seem that there’s really nothing that Hollywood can’t bring to screen, especially with the advent and widespread use of CGI.
So why can’t anyone make a good video game movie?...
They didn’t just film Lolita, they filmed Lolita Twice.
So it would seem that there’s really nothing that Hollywood can’t bring to screen, especially with the advent and widespread use of CGI.
So why can’t anyone make a good video game movie?...
- 8/28/2012
- by Brendan Foley
- Obsessed with Film
Aren’t video games super cool? Unlike movies and books – two mediums of storytelling which selfishly prevent you from getting directly involved in the action – video games put you, the gamer, in charge. That’s right, you’re the hero, so save the princess, assassinate a ruthless dictator or, uh, drive a crime lord to a strip club if you’re playing Grand Theft Auto.
Truth is, video games are just an illusion. As wonderful as those magical swirling pixels are, you’re not really leaping around the Mushroom Kingdom absorbing coins into your body. You’re in your room with your eyes glued to the TV because you just unlocked that secret costume for Nina Williams in Tekken.
We know: it’s disappointing to comes to terms with the fact you’re not really Gordon Freeman. You’re not actually anything like Nathan Drake. You don’t even have a patch on Kirby,...
Truth is, video games are just an illusion. As wonderful as those magical swirling pixels are, you’re not really leaping around the Mushroom Kingdom absorbing coins into your body. You’re in your room with your eyes glued to the TV because you just unlocked that secret costume for Nina Williams in Tekken.
We know: it’s disappointing to comes to terms with the fact you’re not really Gordon Freeman. You’re not actually anything like Nathan Drake. You don’t even have a patch on Kirby,...
- 8/28/2012
- by T.J. Barnard
- Obsessed with Film
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