"Rise and shine, Mr. Freeman. Rise and shine. " - Gordon Freeman for Smash

[TooManyToastahs]

Unfortunately, Half-Life: Alyx won't be shown at The Game Awards today.

Oh well. It's not the worst case scenario.

Dang, I jinxed it
Ah well, it’s not too bad like you said

 

[Eldrake]

So, no announcement at TGA. Huh. For that matter, we got almost no announcements at all from the Nintendo side of the industry. Maybe we're getting a direct later this month after all?

 

[TooManyToastahs]

So, no announcement at TGA. Huh. For that matter, we got almost no announcements at all from the Nintendo side of the industry. Maybe we're getting a direct later this month after all?

A December direct, I kinda like the sound of that. I’m a little bummed that there was almost nothing, but perhaps that does point to all the good stuff being announced in a Nintendo direct.

 

[Wunderwaft]

So, no announcement at TGA. Huh. For that matter, we got almost no announcements at all from the Nintendo side of the industry. Maybe we're getting a direct later this month after all?

I think we'll get a direct at January/February. With the year coming to a close the Fighters Pass deadline for February comes closer and closer.

 

[MrElectroG64]

Hey guys, I’m back again to say that I’ve revamped the hell out of my old moveset, so I figured I’d go ahead and post it here, since a lot of the stuff in the original one needed changing.

Also, here’s a link to the image on Flickr, since Smashboards usually compresses images to be too small to read certain parts of them: https://www.flickr.com/photos/184893183@N07/49200431913/

as usual, feel free to use it in the OP!

 

[Wunderwaft]

Heads up, someone manged to test Half-Life Alyx on different VR headsets and get more gameplay recorded for the public.

 

[Eldrake]

Half-Life: Alyx is coming in March, and we're celebrating early by making all past games in the Half-Life series free to play for Steam users, from now until the day Half-Life: Alyx launches! https://t.co/giz801AKfu pic.twitter.com/ndUpN8NDYs

— Valve (@valvesoftware) January 21, 2020

Everyone can now play any Half-Life title until Alyx's release. I'm pretty sure this means that anyone can open a new Steam account and then play some of the greatest FPS games of all time.

 

[Wunderwaft]

We finally have a precise release date for Alyx. NGL I was kinda worried Valve Time was gonna strike again and the game would get delayed, it still feels surreal to me that the first Half-Life game in over a decade is just one month away.

Half-Life: Alyx, available March 23, 2020 https://t.co/NCOLWqSp3e pic.twitter.com/Q04EZwNfBt

— Valve (@valvesoftware) February 13, 2020

 

[Eldrake]

I listened to the Half-Life, Team Fortress 2 and Portal soundtracks ever since the soundtrack sale. I've decided that for my dream Fighter Pack, its soundtrack should be done Orange Box style. Here's the soundtracks I would put in it with a self-imposed rule that Half-Life gets 16 tracks, TF2 gets 8 tracks and Portal gets 8 tracks.

Spoiler: Half-Life tracks

01 - Hazardous Environments
02 - Adrenaline Horror
03 - Klaxon Beat
04 - Nuclear Missile Jam
05 - Hard Rock Technology
06 - Military Precision
07 - CP Violation
08 - Dark Energy
09 - Apprehension and Evasion
10 - Triage at Dawn
11 - Tracking Device
12 - What Kind Of Hospital Is This?
13 - Penultimatum
14 - Vortal Combat
15 - Sector Sweep
16 - Last Legs

Spoiler: Team Fortress 2 tracks

17 - Team Fortress 2
18 - Medic!
19 - Intruder Alert
20 - Faster Than A Speeding Bullet
21 - Drunken Pipe Bomb
22 - ROBOTS!
23 - The Art of War
24 - Right Behind You

Spoiler: Portal tracks

25 - Still Alive
26 - Want You Gone
27 - Science Is Fun
28 - You Will Be Perfect
29 - Halls Of Science 4
30 - Music of the Spheres 2 (Incendiary Lemons)
31 - Reconstructing More Science
32 - Bombs for Throwing at You

 

[ivanlerma]

I listened to the Half-Life, Team Fortress 2 and Portal soundtracks ever since the soundtrack sale. I've decided that for my dream Fighter Pack, its soundtrack should be done Orange Box style. Here's the soundtracks I would put in it with a self-imposed rule that Half-Life gets 16 tracks, TF2 gets 8 tracks and Portal gets 8 tracks.

Spoiler: Half-Life tracks

01 - Hazardous Environments
02 - Adrenaline Horror
03 - Klaxon Beat
04 - Nuclear Missile Jam
05 - Hard Rock Technology
06 - Military Precision
07 - CP Violation
08 - Dark Energy
09 - Apprehension and Evasion
10 - Triage at Dawn
11 - Tracking Device
12 - What Kind Of Hospital Is This?
13 - Penultimatum
14 - Vortal Combat
15 - Sector Sweep
16 - Last Legs

Spoiler: Team Fortress 2 tracks

17 - Team Fortress 2
18 - Medic!
19 - Intruder Alert
20 - Faster Than A Speeding Bullet
21 - Drunken Pipe Bomb
22 - ROBOTS!
23 - The Art of War
24 - Right Behind You

Spoiler: Portal tracks

25 - Still Alive
26 - Want You Gone
27 - Science Is Fun
28 - You Will Be Perfect
29 - Halls Of Science 4
30 - Music of the Spheres 2 (Incendiary Lemons)
31 - Reconstructing More Science
32 - Bombs for Throwing at You

Where's Path of Borealis from Half-Life 2?

 

[Eldrake]

Where's Path of Borealis from Half-Life 2?

It's Triage at Dawn.

 

[ivanlerma]

It's Triage at Dawn.

it doesn't sound the same in terms of instruments, oh well why complain.

 

[Eldrake]

it doesn't sound the same in terms of instruments, oh well why complain.

Path of Borealis is an unofficial remix made by DJ Dain, actually. But a Smash remix of Triage at Dawn to sound closer to Path of Borealis could happen.

 

[ivanlerma]

Path of Borealis is an unofficial remix made by DJ Dain, actually. But a Smash remix of Triage at Dawn to sound closer to Path of Borealis could happen.

wow, i didn't know, i love the remix even after figuring out it's not official.

 

[Eldrake]

wow, i didn't know, i love the remix even after figuring out it's not official.

Hey, I'm not saying it's bad in any way whatsoever, personally I consider it a great remix. I'm just saying that as a matter of fact that it's an unofficial remix.

 

[Eldrake]

Sorry for the double post, but remember my posts about a potential Half-Life mii costume being a Headcrab Mii Hat? It just happened, but in an entirely different game.

There was a problem fetching the tweet

 

[Wunderwaft]

Sorry for the double post, but remember my posts about a potential Half-Life mii costume being a Headcrab Mii Hat? It just happened, but in an entirely different game.

There was a problem fetching the tweet

Hahaha

I love how developers who port their big title games to PC later after their console debut decide to add a Half-Life crossover with the port. There was the FFXV PC port and now there's the Death Stranding PC port.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Anyways it seems we have some brand new gameplay videos of Half Life Alyx, the more we get closer to the game's release date the more excited I become:

Spoiler: Gameplay

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTLotwKpLgk&list=PLSXFSBSGcg467zZDr07HZu2dkQT0z5QXR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFjtVmka54E&list=PLSXFSBSGcg467zZDr07HZu2dkQT0z5QXR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qspam8ftpIc&list=PLSXFSBSGcg467zZDr07HZu2dkQT0z5QXR

 

[Eldrake]

Hahaha

I love how developers who port their big title games to PC later after their console debut decide to add a Half-Life crossover with the port. There was the FFXV PC port and now there's the Death Stranding PC port.

Incidentally, these two big title games are from japanese developers. I don't know how popular Half-Life is in Japan, but maybe it might be some kind of a cult classic for some japanese devs?

Hahaha
Anyways it seems we have some brand new gameplay videos of Half Life Alyx, the more we get closer to the game's release date the more excited I become:
[snip]

I have no idea what the combat music in the third video is called and I currently have no way to hear it in its entirety without ingame noise, but I know that it HAS to be included in my Dream Gordon Fighter Pack.

 

[Wunderwaft]

Incidentally, these two big title games are from japanese developers. I don't know how popular Half-Life is in Japan, but maybe it might be some kind of a cult classic for some japanese devs?

Perhaps so. Valve and Steam played a big role in providing a system of choice for Japanese gamers, before then PC gaming was very niche in Japan. Because of Valve's influence I can see why some Japanese developers would look at Valve as the face of PC gaming, and by proxy, Half Life.

 

[Nanatsu]

I prefer Gordon if we're getting a Valve character. Not only is he extremely important to Valve's history and gaming in general, but Half-Life is the inspiration for Team Fortress 2 and Portal. I feel it's more appropriate if he got in first.

With that said, Sakurai did comment on Half-Life 2 and it's importance before:
https://www.sourcegaming.info/2017/07/12/feelofamericangames/

To be fair, Quake was actually the inspiration for TF2, but your point still stands.

 

[Eldrake]

Sonic: Hello everyone, I'm Sonic the Hedgehog, the video game character with the cutest baby version!
Barnacle: HOLD MY BARREL.

 

[Wunderwaft]

Sonic: Hello everyone, I'm Sonic the Hedgehog, the video game character with the cutest baby version!
Barnacle: HOLD MY BARREL.
View attachment 264683

Top ten pictures taken before disaster

 

[Eldrake]

Valve: We absolutely see Half-Life: Alyx as our return to this world, not the end of it."

"What would you like to say to fans who are hoping this means you’re still working on Half-Life 3?"

"Half-Life means a lot to us, and it's been incredibly rewarding to refamiliarise ourselves with its characters, setting, and mechanics. There are Half-Life: Alyx team members who have been at Valve since Half-Life 2, and quite a few who go back to the original Half-Life. There are also people on the team for whom Half-Life: Alyx is their first time working on this series at all - and many of them certainly hope it's not the last. We absolutely see Half-Life: Alyx as our return to this world, not the end of it."

 

[Wunderwaft]

Valve: We absolutely see Half-Life: Alyx as our return to this world, not the end of it."

"What would you like to say to fans who are hoping this means you’re still working on Half-Life 3?"

"Half-Life means a lot to us, and it's been incredibly rewarding to refamiliarise ourselves with its characters, setting, and mechanics. There are Half-Life: Alyx team members who have been at Valve since Half-Life 2, and quite a few who go back to the original Half-Life. There are also people on the team for whom Half-Life: Alyx is their first time working on this series at all - and many of them certainly hope it's not the last. We absolutely see Half-Life: Alyx as our return to this world, not the end of it."

I'm glad we finally have a confirmation that there's more to come after Alyx. I think this might be the first time in a decade where Valve directly answered a question related to Half Life 3.

 

[Eldrake]

After more than a decade of development, Black Mesa 1.0 has finally been released. As someone who has played and enjoyed Black Mesa from beginning to end and will do it again the next time my computer is upgraded, I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to BUY THIS MASTERPIECE OF A FANMADE REMAKE.

Edit: You know, it's a shame I can't put Black Mesa music in my Dream Fighter Pack soundtrack, or this and this would be in it.

 

[Wunderwaft]

After more than a decade, Black Mesa 1.0 has finally been released. As someone who has played and enjoyed Black Mesa from beginning to end and will do it again the next time my computer is upgraded, I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to BUY THIS MASTERPIECE OF A FANMADE REMAKE.

Edit: You know, it's a shame I can't put Black Mesa music in my Dream Fighter Pack soundtrack, or this and this would be in it.

After 15 years of development hopefully it was worth the weight.

 

[Eldrake]

Today's Half-Life fact: A little known fact is that back in the original Half-Life, Gordon Freeman had a ponytail.

Then he cut it by the time of Half-Life 2. That's why there's a security guard in the opening area of Black Mesa who says "Aww man, you cut the ponytail. Sellout."

Anyway, what I'm trying to get at is this question; let's say hypothetically that not only is Gordon in Smash, but he gets two distinct looks for alternate costumes, one based on his Half-Life 1 appearance and HEV suit, and one based on his Half-Life 2 appearance and HEV suit. Do you think that Sakurai would give him his ponytail back for his Half-Life 1 style alt?

 

[Wunderwaft]

Today's Half-Life fact: A little known fact is that back in the original Half-Life, Gordon Freeman had a ponytail.

View attachment 265356
Then he cut it by the time of Half-Life 2. That's why there's a security guard in the opening area of Black Mesa who says "Aww man, you cut the ponytail. Sellout."

Anyway, what I'm trying to get at is this question; let's say hypothetically that not only is Gordon in Smash, but he gets two distinct looks for alternate costumes, one based on his Half-Life 1 appearance and HEV suit, and one based on his Half-Life 2 appearance and HEV suit. Do you think that Sakurai would give him his ponytail back for his Half-Life 1 style alt?

Honestly I'd say yes. Sakurai's attention to detail is impressive, something like this won't miss him.

 

[UberPyro64]

Source Gaming did a video on Half-Life and Gordon!

 

[Eldrake]

This was fun to watch, and I'm gonna share a link here.

 

[Wunderwaft]

Half Life Alyx's preload is now available to download on Steam if you have the game on your library. The game is gonna release on Monday 10 AM PT, so if you're looking to get a first second look in the game here you go.

 

[Eldrake]

When Half-Life: Alyx arrives tomorrow, we know many of you will want to share your first playthough with friends, so we've published a guide to help tune the game's settings for spectating and streaming before you start. https://t.co/4RS3FytHMD pic.twitter.com/2qlgof0zr7

— Valve (@valvesoftware) March 22, 2020

If you ever wanted to punt a headcrab using a chair, here's your dream game.

 

[Eldrake]

Okay, enough days has gone by that I believe it's okay for me to post about this in this thread.

Spoiler: Half-Life: Alyx spoilers

Oh my god. That ending. Valve made an exceptionally ballsy move upending that cliffhanger in favor of a brand new one. Also, that not-so-subtle tease at Half-Life 3

 

[EarlTamm]

Okay, enough days has gone by that I believe it's okay for me to post about this in this thread.

Spoiler: Half-Life: Alyx spoilers

Oh my god. That ending. Valve made an exceptionally ballsy move upending that cliffhanger in favor of a brand new one. Also, that not-so-subtle tease at Half-Life 3

I was waiting for this...

Spoiler: Half-Life: Alyx Spoiler

Oh, most definitely, but they sure did it in style. They better act on that tease as well, as that thing is pretty much a promise that Half-Life 3 is a thing. It's pretty much saying "No, Gordon will be back in action eventually, crowbar and all."

Very risky all around.

 

[Eldrake]

I was waiting for this...

Spoiler: Half-Life: Alyx Spoiler

Oh, most definitely, but they sure did it in style. They better act on that tease as well, as that thing is pretty much a promise that Half-Life 3 is a thing. It's pretty much saying "No, Gordon will be back in action eventually, crowbar and all."

Very risky all around.

Spoiler: Half-Life: Alyx spoilers

Considering that Valve in an earlier interview has claimed that Alyx won't be the last with their return to the franchise, Half-Life 3 better be a game they're working on, especially with that tease.

 

[EarlTamm]

Spoiler: Half-Life: Alyx spoilers

Considering that Valve in an earlier interview has claimed that Alyx won't be the last with their return to the franchise, Half-Life 3 better be a game they're working on, especially with that tease.

Spoiler: Half-Life: Alyx Spoilers

The question now is: Will HL3 be VR or not? I feel like it won't be, as beyond things like lacking accessibility to VR and Valve already making the big VR Half-Life they wanted, swinging a crowbar in VR would probably get tiring after awhile.

 

[Eldrake]

Spoiler: Half-Life: Alyx Spoilers

The question now is: Will HL3 be VR or not? I feel like it won't be, as beyond things like lacking accessibility to VR and Valve already making the big VR Half-Life they wanted, swinging a crowbar in VR would probably get tiring after awhile.

Spoiler: Half-Life: Alyx spoilers

I see two possiblities. Either it will be full VR, or it will come in two versions; flat version that plays closer to Half-Life and Half-Life 2 than Alyx, and a VR version that plays more like Alyx. I think it's a 50/50 at this point.

 

[EarlTamm]

Spoiler: Half-Life: Alyx spoilers

I see two possiblities. Either it will be full VR, or it will come in two versions; flat version that plays closer to Half-Life and Half-Life 2 than Alyx, and a VR version that plays more like Alyx. I think it's a 50/50 at this point.

Spoiler: Half-Life: Alyx Spoilers

I feel like option two is very unlikely, as that would probably result in both experiences being rather watered down to allow for the other. I doubt that is something they want.

 

[Wunderwaft]

Oh boy I just finished Alyx. The game did not disappoint at all, it was a 12 hour ride that kept surprising me with new things.

Spoiler

AHHHHH THAT ENDING

 

[Eldrake]

pic.twitter.com/blZXD7W8BT

— garry (@garrynewman) March 29, 2020

It's truly starting to feel like a second golden age of Half-Life is about to dawn upon us.